Diorama Revamp PPT Template by Rome

Soil
Chemistry
Soil
Chemistry
Soil chemistry is a discipline of soil science
concerned with biogeochemical processes in soils and
their influence on the bioavailability, mobility,
distribution, and chemical forms of both plant
essential elements and contaminants in the terrestrial
environment. Traditional soil chemistry (soil fertility)
focuses on chemical and biochemical reactions in
soils that influence nutrient availability for plant
growth, and potential environmental consequences
associated with inorganic and organic fertilization,
especially with nitrogen and phosphorus.
Soil chemistry has increasingly focused on the
environment over the past few decades, especially as
related to ground and surface water quality.
Understanding the reactions and biogeochemical
processes of potential pollutants and contaminants in
soils will enable a more accurate prediction of fate
and toxicity of contaminants, and development of
remediation strategies. The overall goal of soil
chemistry/fertility research is a more fundamental
understanding of chemical and biochemical reactions
in soils related to plant growth, sustainability, and
soil and environmental quality.
Scopes
1 Chemical Content
2 Composition of the Soil
3 Layers of the Earth
4 Land Masses
CHEMICAL
Properties
Soil chemical properties discussed below
include phosphorus, nitrogen, major cations,
trace metals, cation exchange capacity,
electrical conductivity, enzymes, organic
matter and carbon, base saturation, salinity,
sodium adsorption ration, and pH.
Phosphorous
Chemical Propertie
Phosphorus constitutes about 0.2 percent of a plant’s
dry weight, where it is primarily a component of
tissue molecules such as nucleic acids,
phospholipids, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Along with nitrogen, phosphorus is often a limiting
nutrient in soil. Soils limited in phosphorus reduce
plant growth and development, while excess
phosphorus can be exported from soil and enter
freshwater bodies.
Nitrogen
Chemical Properties
Nitrogen constitutes about 1 percent of a plant’s dry
weight, where it plays a role in the growth of tissues
and cells found within the plant, as well as the
formation of chlorophyll. Along with phosphorus,
nitrogen is often a limiting nutrient in soil. Soils
limited in nitrogen reduce plant growth and
development, while excess nitrogen can be exported
from soil and enter freshwater bodies, including
groundwater.
Major Cations
Chemical Propertie
Cations are positively charged elements. Major
cations in soil include calcium (Ca2+), magnesium
(Mg2+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+). These
elements are utilized in smaller quantities than
phosphorus or nitrogen, but calcium, magnesium,
and potassium are essential plant nutrients since
they are involved in a variety of plant functions and
metabolic processes, while all four can have adverse
effects on soil or plants.
Sulfur
Chemical Properties
Sulfur is an essential nutrient and plays a major role in the

formation of proteins. It is taken up by plants in similar
amounts as phosphorus. More then 90 percent of the sulfur
in soil occurs in organic forms. Soil microbes mineralize this
sulfur, converting it to sulfate, the form taken up by plants.
Other sources of sulfur include minerals, atmospheric
deposition, and in some cases fertilizer.
Trace Chemical
Metals Propertie
Trace metals include cadmium (Cd), chromium
(Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn),
mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni),
selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). Arsenic (As), boron,
and selenium are metalloids but are usually included
in discussions of metals in soil. Heavy metals refers
to metals with a density of more than 7 g/cm3 (Pb,
Cd, Ni, Hg, Cr). Minerals (rocks) are the primary
source of most trace metals in soil.
Cation ExchangeChemical
CapacityProperties
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is the total capacity of a

soil to hold exchangeable cations. It affects the fate of other
soil chemicals, including nutrients and pollutants, and
provides a buffer against soil acidification. Clay soils have a
higher CEC than sandy soils, but soil organic matter has the
greatest effect on a soil's CEC. The main ions associated
with CEC are calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium
(Na+) and potassium (K+). In acidic soils, aluminum (Al3+)
and manganese (Mn2+) are important.
Electrical Conductivity
Chemical Properties
Electrical conductivity (EC) is the ability of a

material to conduct (transmit) an electrical current.
It is commonly expressed in units of milliSiemens
per meter (mS/m) or deciSiemens per meter (dS/m).
EC is primarily used to assess salt concentration in
soil. Although EC does not provide a direct
measurement of specific ions or salt compounds, it
has been correlated to concentrations of nitrates,
potassium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, and ammonia.
Organic Matter (carbon)
Chemical Properties
Soil organic matter affects chemical, physical, and biological

properties and processes in soil. Chemically, soil organic
matter affects the cation exchange capacity, provides
nutrients, and affects the capacity for buffering changes in
soil pH. These in turn affect the fate and transport of
chemicals including nutrients and pollutants.
Base Saturation
Chemical Properties
Base saturation is calculated as the percentage of

CEC occupied by base cations (calcium,
magnesium, potassium, sodium, hydrogen). As base
saturation increases, pH increases. In soils where
CEC is dominated by aluminum, base saturation is
low and plant growth may be inhibited by the
elevated aluminum concentration. Soils with high
base saturation also have greater buffering capacity.
Enzymes
Chemical Properties
Enzymes in soil mediate numerous chemical reactions

involved in soil nutrient cycling, transformation of plant and
microbial debris, mineralization and transformation of
organic matter within the carbon cycle, and transformation
and degradation of potentially hazardous pollutants. The
potential enzymes playing major roles in maintaining soil
health are amylase, arylsulphatase, β-glucosidase, cellulase,
chitinase, dehydrogenase, phosphatase, protease, and urease.
For a discussion of the processes affected by specific
enzymes
Salinity
Chemical Properties
Salinity is a measure of the salt concentration in a

soil. Saline soils are uncommon in Minnesota but
may occur if a specific salt source exists (e.g. road
salt, biosolid or manure application), in irrigated
soils, and in arid soils.
Sodium Adsorption ratio
Chemical Properties
Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) is a measure of the amount

of sodium (Na+) relative to calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium
(Mg2+) in water extracted from a saturated soil paste. Soils
with SARs of 13 or more are considered sodic. Sodic soils
may have increased dispersion of organic matter and clay
particles, resulting in reduced saturated hydraulic
conductivity and aeration and a general degradation of soil
structure.
pHChemical Properties
Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. It is

an important soil property that affects plant
suitability, nutrient availability, soil microorganism
activity, chemical cycling, and mobility of pollutants
such as metals.
pH may be measured in the field or laboratory. Field
test strips offer easy and quick methods for
estimating soil pH, though they are not as accurate
as other methods. Recommended lab methods
include the following.
Composition
of the Soil
Plants obtain inorganic elements from the soil, which serves as a
natural medium for land plants. Soil is the outer, loose layer that
covers the surface of Earth. Soil quality, a major determinant, along
with climate, of plant distribution and growth, depends not only on
the chemical composition of the soil, but also the topography
(regional surface features) and the presence of living organisms.
Composition
of the Soil
The organic material of soil, called humus, is made up of microorganisms (dead and
alive), and dead animals and plants in varying stages of decay. Humus improves soil
structure, providing plants with water and minerals. The inorganic material of soil is
composed of rock, slowly broken down into smaller particles that vary in size. Soil
particles that are 0.1 to 2 mm in diameter are sand. Soil particles between 0.002 and 0.1
mm are called silt, and even smaller particles, less than 0.002 mm in diameter, are called
clay. Some soils have no dominant particle size, containing a mixture of sand, silt, and
humus; these soils are called loams.
Composition
of the Soil
•inorganic mineral matter, about 40 to 45 percent of the soil volume
•organic matter, about 5 percent of the soil volume
•water, about 25 percent of the soil volume
•air, about 25 percent of the soil volume
The amount of each of the four major components of soil depends on the quantity
of vegetation, soil compaction, and water present in the soil. A good, healthy soil
has sufficient air, water, minerals, and organic material to promote and sustain
plant life.
Composition
of the Soil
•inorganic mineral matter, about 40 to 45 percent of the soil volume
•organic matter, about 5 percent of the soil volume
•water, about 25 percent of the soil volume
•air, about 25 percent of the soil volume
The amount of each of the four major components of soil depends on the quantity
of vegetation, soil compaction, and water present in the soil. A good, healthy soil
has sufficient air, water, minerals, and organic material to promote and sustain
plant life.

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Soil

2 Composition of the Soil

3 Layers of the Earth

Sulfur is an essential nutrient and plays a major role in the

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is the total capacity of a

Electrical conductivity (EC) is the ability of a

Soil organic matter affects chemical, physical, and biological

Base saturation is calculated as the percentage of

Enzymes in soil mediate numerous chemical reactions

Salinity is a measure of the salt concentration in a

Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) is a measure of the amount

Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. It is

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