The knowledge of permanent and variable charge is of high importance to a better understanding of the fate of chemical elements in soil. Four Brazilian Oxisols presenting acric character were investigated by an ion adsorption method that measures the structural charge density (sigmaO) and were compared to an Alfisol (NV), which had predominantly permanent charge. The method is based on the preference of siloxane surface sites for cesium over lithium and on the lower selectivity of ionizable surface group for the ion cesium. In the Acrudoxes, the permanent charge decreased as the weathering index (Ki) decreased. The cesium adsorption method quantified significant amounts of structural charge, even in highly weathered soils.
electric charge; acric soil; adsorption; Oxisols
