SOIL ANALYSIS

COMPOSITION OF SOIL
Inorganics (> 95%): minerals
O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Na, K, Mn, trace heavy metals
Organics (< 5%)
Protein, fat, CH2O (10-15% of soil organics)
Humus (85-90% of soil organics)
Pesticide, PAH (trace contaminants)
Water (soil solution)
Cation, anions, ions in hydrolyzed / complexed form
extracted form bioavailable analytes
Air (35% of soil volume, =0.35)
21% O2, 0.03% CO2

SOLID PHASE VS WATER SOLUTION OF SOIL

Solid phase of
soil

S2-

FeS

Fe3+

FeOOH

Water solution
of soil

Cu:
Cu2+, Cu+, Cu-humic acid,
Cu-fulvic acid, Cu

Important Soil Properties

Physical properties
Soil Particle Size and Texture
Soil Density & Porosity
Permeability (hydraulic conductivity)
Chemical properties
Total vs. extractable elements
CEC and soil charge (soil is commonly considered to have negative
charges)
Soil pH
Organic matter
Soil inorganic ions and chelates (functional groups) in soil organics:
NH2, -OH, -COO-, -C=O, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, OH-

Physical Properties of Sediment

Texture (% sand, clay and ash)
Water content
Density
Porosity
weight
Porosity
Location

content

density

g/cm3

Water
content

Sand

Ash

Clay
Class

cm3/cm3

1,0

2,6

61,0

0,61

72

17

11

Sandy clay

1,0

2,6

61,0

0,61

72

16

12

Sandy clay

1,1

2,6

62,0

0,62

70

16

14

Sandy clay

Chemical Properties of Sediment

pH (water and KCl 1N)
Organic matter
C organic
Humic acid
Fulvic acid
Cationic Exchange Capacity (CEC)
Total heavy metals / extractable metals
Phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, manganese, iron,
sulphide
Redox potential
Dissolved oxygen (DO)

Heavy Metals Fractions

(Sequential extraction)
a. ELFE (easily leachable and freely exchangeable):
Metals fractions which are weakly attached in the
surface of sediment by Van der Walls force.
b. AR (acid reduction)
Metal fractions which are adsorbed on the Fe and Mn
oxide/hydroxide in sediment.
c. OO (organic oxidation)
Metals which are attached by humic/fulvic acid
d. RF (resistant fraction)
Metals which are strongly attached inside of lattice
mineral.

1.2000

C ons entration (mg /L )

1.0000

0.8000
Pb
0.6000

Cu
Zn

0.4000

0.2000

0.0000

E LE F

AR

OO

FR

Soil Nutrients

Nutrients Plants Acquire From

Air And Water
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

The Primary Nutrients

Nitrogen (N)
Potassium (K)
Phosphorus (P)

Functions Of Primary Nutrients And Deficiency

Symptoms
Nitrogen (N): most important nutrient besides water;
determines rate of growth
deficiency symptom: yellowing of leaves
Phosphorous (P): required during germination and
fruit/seed formation
Deficiency symptoms: stunted growth; purple-colored
leaves
Potassium (K): regulatory
Deficiency symptoms: inhibited growth; spotty leaves

The Secondary Nutrients

Calcium Ca)
Sulfur (S)
Magnesium (Mg)

The Micronutrients

Boron (B)
Chlorine (Cl)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)
Manganese (Mn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn)

The 16 Essential Nutrients

Boron
Calcium
Carbon
Chlorine
Copper
Hydrogen
Iron
Magnesium

Manganese
Molybdenum
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sulfur
Zinc

Non-essential Nutrients That

Need To Be Considered
Iodine
Cobalt
Silicon