Soil solutions from several areas of the US were analyzed by atomic absorption for total Mn and by resin exchange for percent Mn complexed. Values for the latter (84%–99%) in soil solution from the A horizon were intermediate to those previously reported for Zn and Cu. Soil solution from a New York forest soil at pH 7 contained 13 ppm Mn, of which 93% was complexed. Spectrophotometric and polarographic methods were developed to determine the oxidation state of Mn in this soil solution. Both methods indicated the Mn in solution was present in the +2 oxidation state. The presence of such large concentrations of Mn2+ in a soil solution of a neutral soil was still less than that predicted from measured values of the Eh of the soil solution and the Mn2+/MnO2 half‐cell potential. Soil microorganisms oxidized and precipitated Mn2+, presumably as MnO2, but the presence of the neutral soil solution that contained 13 ppm Mn partially inhibited this precipitation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.