TUTORIAL (PAST YEAR EXAM QUESTIONS)

Clay mineral

Question 1


(a) Name the type of clay for (i) and (ii).
(b) Which of these structures has higher cation exchange capacity (CEC)?
(c) Contrast the difference in crystalline structure between (i) and (ii).


Soil Organic Matter

Question 2

A new concept of chemical nature of humic substances has recently emerged in the literature
proposing that these materials involve supramolecular association of smaller molecules.

(a) Describe the main features of humic substances, according to the classical or old view?

(b) Explain the new concept which has emerged and what type of chemical bonding
interactions are proposed?


Question 3
Biochar is attracting interest because of its potential to store billions tons of carbon in soil for
centuries and improve soil fertility.
(a) How biochar is produced?
(b) Concisely explained why some types of biomass are not suitable for producing Biochar.

Acidity

Question 4

A 100 g sample of a soil has been determined to contain the exchangeable cations in these
amounts : Ca
2+
= 8.2 cmol
c
/kg, Mg
2+
= 2.0 cmol
c
/kg, K
+
= 2.0 cmol
c
/kg, Al
3+
=3.3 cmol
c
/kg, and
H
+
= 2.2 cmol
c
/kg. The percent base saturation of this soil is 75 %.

(a) What is the concentration of the exchangeable cation of sodium (Na+), in
cmol
c
/kg.
(b) What is the percent acid saturation?
(c) Calculate the CEC for this soil (cmol
c
/kg)


Question 5


(a) Based on the graph above, list down the dominant species and also other species that are
present at pH 7.
(b) Describe the role of aluminium in soil acidity.
(c) Soluble forms of aluminium in highly acidic soil have been associated with toxic effects
and restriction of plant growth. Describe two possible mechanisms that explain these
toxic effects.