Factors Influencing the Binding Power of Soil Colloids

Modern colloid chemistry dates from the time of Thomas Graham, who, in 1861, pointed out the differences between molecularly-dispersed or true solutions and solutions of gum, starch, gelatin, silicic acid, etc., which he termed colloidal solutions. From this beginning, the colloid concept has expanded the until now we know that sky above us is blue because of the colloidal particles in the atmosphere, and that the earth beneath us owes many of its properties to its colloid content.The purpose of this investigation was to determine the binding power of colloidal material in the soil and the factors influencing it. Moore, et (5) al, have indicated that the colloidal material is the principal binding material of the soil. Further investigation has not only confirmed this point but also has shown that approximately 95 per cent of the total adsorption of the soil for such substances as malachite green, water vapor and ammonia is due to the soil colloids (Anderson, et al).