Adsorption of phosphate on variable charge soils

The study about the adsorption of phosphate on four variable charge soils and some minerals revealed that two stage adsorption appeared in the adsorption isotherms of phosphate on 4 soils and there was a maximum adsorption on Al-oxide-typed surfaces between pH 3.5 to pH 5.5 as suspension pH changed from 2 to 9, but the adsorption amount of phosphate decreased continually as pH rose on Fe-oxide typed surfaces. The adsorption amount of phosphate and the maximum phosphate adsorption pH decreased in the order of yellow-red soil lateritic red soil red soil paddy soil, which was coincided with the content order of amorphous Al oxide. The removement of organic matter and Fe oxide made the maximum phosphate adsorption pH rise from 4.0 to 5.0 and 4.5, respectively. The desorption curves with pH of four soils showed that phosphate desorbed least at pH 5. Generally the desorption was contrary to the adsorption with pH changing. There was a good accordance between adsorption or desorption and the concentration of Al in the suspension. The possible mechanisms of phosphate adsorption are discussed.