Rapid Determination of Exchangeable Bases, Acidity, and Base Saturation for Soil Characterization

Abstract

Abstract Routine, rapid, soil‐testing procedures were used for measuring both exchangeable bases and exchangeable acidity. Exchangeable bases were extracted by a single wash with a dilute HCl + H 2 SO 4 solution and analyzed by flame spectrophotometry and atomic absorption. Exchangeable acidity was determined by the pH change of a buffered solution‐soil suspension. The values obtained compared favorably with values determined by NH 4 OAc, NaOAc, and BaCl 2 ‐triethanolamine and were suitable for separation of Ultisols from Alfisols and mollic from umbric epipedons.