Rapid estimation of cation-exchange capacities of soils and clays with methylene blue exchange
Journal
Soil Science Society of America Journal
Journal Volume
60
Journal Volume
60
Journal Issue
1
Journal Issue
1
Pages
138-141
Start Page
138
End Page
141
ISSN
03615995
Date Issued
1996
Author(s)
Abstract
Four methods to determine the cation-exchange capacities (CEC) of soils and clays were evaluated: (i) conventional NH4-Na exchange, (ii) methylene blue (MB) capacity with MB acid, (iii) CEC of tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), and (iv) MB-water filter paper spot test titration methods. Eighteen surface soils (0-15 cm) from farm fields in Taiwan and four reference clays obtained from the Source Clay Repository (Clay Minerals Society, Columbia, MO) were used in this work. Under appropriate conditions of concentration, equilibration period, and flocculation of MB solutions, MB absorption can be used to determine the CEC of soils and clays. Regression analyses gave R2 values 0.91, 0.99, and 0.74 for MB-acid, MB-TSPP, and MB-water titration methods, respectively, vs. NH4-Na exchange. The CEC values of MB-TSPP titration showed a good linear correlation with values from the NH4-Na exchange method. Thus, the method of MB-TSPP filer paper spot-test titration is recommended for rapid CEC determination in field test of soils.
Subjects
CEC
field test
methylene blue dye
titration method
SDGs
Publisher
Soil Science Society of America
Type
journal article