Mineralogy of Some Benchmark soils of the Coastal Plain, West Bengal

Mineralogical studies of sand, silt and clay fractions of four benchmark soils (Ballartop, Chandipur, Narayanpur and Patibunia) occurring on coastal plain, West Bengal were conducted to identify the minerals present in these fractions and also to understand their transformation in this ecosystem. Ballartop, Chandipur and Narayanpur soils were developed on very gently sloping to nearly level plain with poor drainage whereas Patibunia soil was developed on degraded mangrove with imperfectly drainage condition. The soils were dark grayish brown to dark gray in colour except Narayanpur soils which was gray to dark gray throughout the profile with olive brown to dark brown mottles and the texture of the soils varied from silt loam to silty clay. The soils were neutral to moderately saline (pH 6.7 to 8.1) except the soil of Ballartop (pH 4.7- 8.2). The EC value ranged from 0.72 to 8.3 dSm−1 and the clay content varied from 19.8 to 51.9%. The CEC of the soils was low to high and ESP of these soils ranges from 6.1 to 33.5.