THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIC MATTER, IRON OXIDES AND MOISTURE ON THE COLOR OF TWO AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF QUEBEC

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Abstract
A new spectrophotometric interpretation of the influence of organic matter, iron oxides and moisture on the soil color of the Ste-Sophie sand and the Ste-Rosalie clay is reported. The method is based on calculation of the area ratio of the reflected (area under the reflectance curve) against the absorbed (area over the reflectance curve). The higher the ratio the lighter is the soil. After treatment to remove organic matter and iron oxide coatings, both soils presented colors significantly lighter than those observed in untreated soils. Organic matter and amorphous iron oxide contributed for 78% and 64% of the color in the Ste-Sophie sand and in the Ste-Rosalie clay, respectively. Moisture tends to mask the effects of organic matter and iron oxides on soil color. Air-dried soils when compared to moistened soils were lighter in color.

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