| Themes > Science > Earth Sciences > Geology > Soils > Soil Morphology > Soil Morphology > PH and Effervescence |
The acidity of a soil can be tested using a simple field test set for fast pH determination. The pH is important for the pH dependent charge of silicates and organic material, therefore for the cation exchange capacity. Furthermore, the pH determines which buffering system is active, i.e. how soils can cope with additional H+ ions. For example, buffering systems are carbonates, organic matter, silicates, or iron and aluminium oxihydroxides. Using HCl on a small soil sample the reaction (effervescence) can give clues of the calcium carbon content in the sample. 2 HCl + CaCO3 <--> CaCl2 + H2CO3 (effervescence) |
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