LO 4.3 - Buffering capacity – definition

Question 1

Question

What is buffering capacity in soils?

Buffering capacity

Answer 1

Soil pH does not change rapidly or easily. Relatively large amounts of material need to be added to change the pH, depending on the soil. This ability of soils to resist changes in pH is referred to as ‘buffering capacity’.

Buffering capacity

Question 2

Question

What is the effect of having a high buffering capacity when trying to increase the soil pH?

Buffering capacity

Answer 2

The greater the buffering capacity, the greater the quantity of acid or base which must be incorporated to alter the pH. Soils with a high buffering capacity will therefore need a lot of lime to achieve an increase in pH.

Buffering capacity

Question 3

Question

What is the buffering capacity in soils containing OM and clay?

Buffering capacity

Answer 3

Buffering capacity is higher in soils containing organic matter and clay.

Buffering capacity

Question 4

Question

What is the buffering capacity in sandy soils?

Buffering capacity

Answer 4

Sandy soils have a low buffering capacity.

Buffering capacity