Distribution of Available Silicon of Volcanic Ash Soils in Jeju Island

Volcanic ash soils on Jeju Island, particularly Andisols, exhibit significantly higher available silicon (Si) content compared to non-Andisols, with subsoil Si levels up to 10 times greater than those in mainland Korea. This study reveals that weathering of Andisols on Jeju Island contributes substantially to elevated dissolved Si concentrations in groundwater, a process influenced by elevation and soil chemical properties such as oxalate-extractable Al and Fe. The research analyzed 290 topsoil samples using 1 M sodium acetate buffer extraction (pH 4.0) and compared available Si content across typifying pedons of Jeju Island and mainland Korea, highlighting the unique pedogenic processes shaping Si distribution in these volcanic soils.

Park, W.-P., Song, K.-C., Koo, B.-J., & Hyun, H.-N. (2019). Distribution of Available Silicon of Volcanic Ash Soils in Jeju Island. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2019, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2729694