chapter 4c Flashcards
more H+ ions
pH low (acidic)
more OH+ ions
pH high (alkalinity)
negative logarithm of the total hydrogen ion concentration in the solution
pH
acidity or alkalinity, due to relative concentration of H+ and OH ions
pH
humid
arid
inorganic
5 to 7
7 to 9
4 to 10
relationship between pH and %BS
linear relationship
as pH increases
H+ decreases
method by pH meter, more accurate
electrometric method
organic dyes, litmus paper (ex: cornell pH)
colorimetric method
soil test kit
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. next is lime requirement
effects of soil pH on microbial act
fungi: unaffected
bacteria & actinomycetes: inhibited at pH 5
(1) origin of soil acidity
release of hydrogen atoms under natural chemical processes in the soil
rel of H under natural chem
*atmospheric carbon dioxide reacts w/ water to form carbonic acid
*organic molecules reacts w/ water and causes acid dissociation
*oxidation of ammonium nitrogen, sulfur, and iron
(2) origins of soil acidity
accumulation of OM and subsequent release of products of decomposition: fulvic and humic acid
(3) origins of soil acidity
reaction of aluminum cations with water, “hydrolysis”
(4) origins of soil acidity
natural deposition
- lightning deposits nitric acid
- volcanic activity deposits sulfuric acid
- mineral weathering: Pyrite or Fool’s Gold (FeS2) once oxidized, results to formation of acid sulfate soils
(5) origins of soil acidity
human factors
- oxidation of applied synthetic ammonium-based fertilizer
-oxidation of nitrogen compounds in applied animal manure or sewage
- deposition of acid rain (nitric and sulfuric caused by industrialization)
forms of soil acidity
active acidity: due to H+ in soil solution, determined as pH
reserve acidity: due to H+ and Al+++ in the solid phase