HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) A correction has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Khasawneh, F. E. Articles by Adams, F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Khasawneh, F. E. Articles by Adams, F. Agricola Articles by Khasawneh, F. E. Articles by Adams, F.

Effect of Dilution on Calcium and Potassium Contents of Soil Solutions¹

ABSTRACT

The effect of dilution on the composition of a soil solution of Magnolia sandy clay loam subsoil was investigated. Samples of a Ca- and K-saturated soil as well as samples of a soil saturated with K and mixed with CaCl₂ were equilibrated with water in various soil-water ratios. Equilibrium solutions were separated and analyzed for Ca and K. Dilution increased the total amount of solution electrolytes with a concurrent change in the relative amount of each of the solution cations. The following equation was derived from Langmuir's isotherm to describe the desorption of neutral salts from soil surfaces: S = S_t V/(a + V) where S is the total meq of solution cations in volume V ml, and S_t and a are constants.

The ratio-law of Schofield was adequate to describe the change in the relative amount of each cation upon dilution of one soil system, but a correction term was added to the formulation of the ratio-law in order to describe the data of the other soil system. This formulation of the ratio-law is given as
where m is the number of solution mmoles, V is the solution volume in ml, and k and h are constants. The two foregoing equations provide the means for predicting the composition of a soil solution upon dilution.

¹ Contribution from the Agronomy and Soils Dep., Auburn Univ. Agri. Exp. Sta, Auburn, Alabama.

² Former Graduate Student, now postdoctoral Research Associate at Purdue University, and Professor of Soils, respectively.

Received for publication October 17, 1965. Accepted for publication December 27, 1966.