Distribution of Zinc Fractions in Some Calcareous Soils of Mahidasht and Helilan plains of Kermanshah and Ilam Provinces

The present study was conducted to evaluate zinc availability and forms, as well as their relationships with soil properties in some soil samples of Kermanshah and Ilam provinces. Sequential extraction included Mg(NO3)2 (soluble + exchangeable), NaOAc pH = 5 (carbonatic fraction), Na-hypochlorite at pH = 8.5 (organic fraction), hydroxylamine hydrochloride at pH 2 (Mn oxides associated Zn), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (amorphous Fe oxides associated Zn), ammonium oxalate (crystalline Fe oxides associated Zn), and HNO3 (the residual Zn). DTPA-Zn was in the range of 0.34-3.7 mg/kg. The results showed that soluble+ exchangeable, Mn oxides and crystalline Fe oxides associated Zn were not detectable by atomic absorption. Distribution of Zn fractions was in the order of Organic-Zn < Car-Zn < amorphous Fe oxides-Zn < Res-Zn. Organic matter bound Zn and amorphous Fe oxides associated Zn and the residual fractions showed a significant negative correlation with the calcium carbonate equivalent. It seemed s that calcium carbonates were the major factor in controlling the Zn content in the studied soils.