HandBookofSoilAnalysis - Removed 22-2-2024 - 12 - 3 - 25

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis
(A Lab Manual)
BY
SADHANA CHAURASIA
&
ANAND DEV GUPTA
International E – Publication
www.isca.me , www.isca.co.in
Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis
(A Lab Manual)
BY
SADHANA CHAURASIA
Head, Department of Energy & Environment
Faculty of Science & Environment
MGCGV, Chitrakkot, Satna MP, 485331, India
&
ANAND DEV GUPTA

Department of Energy & Environment
MGCGV, Chitrakkot, Satna MP, 485331, India
2014
International E - Publication
www.isca.me , www.isca.co.in
International Science Congress Association
www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in
SOIL
ANALYSIS
Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 88

TEXTURE
Object- Determine the texture of given soil.
Requirements- Shaking machine, motor description unit (this consists of a 0.5 H.P. motor with a
propeller shaft and double-blanded propeller of stainless steel. The base of the unit contains a
600 ml beaker with the baffle grid fitted snugly in it), Sieve (made from 70 mesh brass or copper
gauze), Sedimentation cylinder (40 cm height about 6.5 cm in diameter and graduated to contain
1.25 l.), Pipettes (to deliver 20 ml at 200C in 25-30 second. One such pipette should have its
lower stem 39 cm long and ring attached around it at a distance of 28 cm from lower tip. One
other pipette should have its cover stem 32 cm, long and a ring attached around it at a distance of
22 cm from the lower tip), Beaker (one of 500 ml marked on outside to indicate the height of 10
cm above bottom and other of 800 ml., rubber pestle (it consists of a rubber stopper of 25 mm
height and 20 mm diameter having a 25 cm long glass rod fitted in the centre of narrower end),
Stirring Paddle (it is made up of a brass disc of 6 cm diameter and 3 mm thickness, attached to a
50 cm long spindle. The disk has 8 holes in it, each of about 6 mm diameter), Hot water both,
Buchner funnel, Filter paper (whatman no-50), camel hair brush and reagents as given below-
A. Hydrogen peroxide
B. Hydro-chloric acid (2N): Dilute 175 ml of concentrated hydro-chloric acid (reagent B)
and dilute with 1 litre distilled water.
C. Hydro-chloric acid (0.2N): Take 100 ml of 2N hydro-chloric acid (reagent B) and dilute
with 1 litre distilled water.
D. Sodium Hydroxide Solution (1N): Dissolve 40 gm of sodium hydroxide in distilled water
to make the volume 1 litre.
Method- Take 25 gm of air-dry soil in a beaker of 800 ml, add 50 ml of hydrogen peroxide
(reagents A) and allow standing overnight. Then heat the beaker on boiling water bath until the
vigorous reaction is ceased. It is soil is extra rich in organic matter further add 30 ml of hydrogen
peroxide and heat the beaker on water bath for another 10 minutes. Cool the beaker clean its
sides with a rubber pestle and add 25 ml of 2N hydrochloric acid (reagents B). Dilute the
contents with distilled water to about 250 ml and thoroughly rub the soil with rubber pestle. Wait
for 1 hour and then test the solution with a blue litmus paper to ensure the presence of an excess

of acid. Filter the contents through a Buchner funnel fitted with filter paper. Wash the soil with
200 ml of 0.2N hydrochloric acid (reagents C) and then with excess of water until the filtrate is
almost neutral to litmus.
Transfer the soil from Buchner funnel to 600 ml beaker of dispersion until.
Clean the last tracers of soil from filter paper and funnel with the help of a camel hair brush and
rinsing with water into the same beaker. The volume of suspension should not exceed 250 ml.
Add 10 ml of 1N sodium hydroxide solution (reagent D) and dip the propeller of dispersion unit
in to beaker. Set the propeller in motion and control the speed to have vigorous stirring without
the loss from splashing. Continue the mechanical dispersion for about 15 minutes, then take out
the propeller and baffle grid and rinse the two into beaker.
Filter the suspension in a sedimentation cylinder through a 70 mess sieve.

Wash maximum possible material through the sieve with a stream of water until cylinder is about
one-half full. Transfer sieve to a tray and dry for sand content estimation.
Cover the cylinder with a brass cap and shake it for 12-16 hours in a shaking
machine for complete dispersion. Then stand the cylinder rinse the brass cap in to it and dilute
the suspension with distilled water to 1.25 litres. Record the temperature of the suspension.
According to which the time of pipetting and decantation is determined as shown in table-1-
Table-1. Time the sedimentation at different temperatures.
Temperature First pipette sample Second Fine sand decantation

pipette
sample
Depth 28 cm Depth 22 cm Depth 28 cm Depth 10 cm
0
C Minimum Hours Hours Minimum Second
8 183/4 241/2 - 6 40
9 18 233/4 - 6 30
10 171/2 23 - 6 20
11 17 241/4 - 6 10
1/2 3/4
12 16 21 - 6 0

13 161/4 211/4 - 5 50
14 153/4 201/2 - 5 40
15 151/4 20 - 5 30
16 15 191/2 243/4 5 20
17 141/2 19 241/4 5 10
18 141/4 181/2 231/2 5 0
3/4
19 13 18 23 5 0
20 131/2 171/2 221/2 4 48
21 131/4 171/4 22 4 40
22 13 163/4 211/2 4 30
23 121/2 - 21 4 30
24 121/4 - 201/2 4 20
25 12 - 20 4 15
3/4 1/2
26 11 - 19 4 10
27 111/2 - 19 4 5
28 111/4 - 281/2 4 0
29 11 - 181/4 3 55
30 103/4 - 173/4 3 50
31 101/2 - 171/2 3 45
1/4
32 10 - 17 3 40
33 10 - 163/4 3 35
Stir the suspension vigorously by up and down.
Strokes of stirring paddle. Take out the paddle and note the time of commencement of
sedimentation on completion of sedimentation time for first pippetting (see Table-1) take 39 cm
stemmed pipette, close the upper stem of it with the fore finger and introduce gently the lower
stem into suspension so that 28 cm mark on the pipette corresponds with the surface of
suspension. Fill the pipette to 20 ml by gentle suction and deliver the sample into pre-weighed
silica crucible. Evaporate the sample to dryness on a hot water bath; please the crucible in an

oven at 1050C for about 13 hours, cool in the desiccator and weight. The increase in the weight
(W1) indicates the weight of oven dry silt+clay.
Let the sedimentation cylinder stand until completion of sedimentation time for
second pipetting (see Table-1). Take 32 cm stemmed pipette, aloes its upper stem with forefinger
and introduce gently the lower stem into suspension so that 22 cm mark of the pipette
corresponds with the new surface. Because at higher temperature the pipetting time becomes
inconveniently short the second pipetting may be made by using a 39 cm stemmed pipette
lowered to 28 cm mark after the time period indicated in Table-1. Fill the pipette to 20 ml by
gentle suction, transfer the sample to pre-weighted silica crucible, evaporate and oven dry the
sample at 1050C and record the increase in weight (W2) which indicates the weight of oven dry
clay.
When the sandy residue on 70 mesh sieve has dried rub it lightly until fine
material ceases to pass through. Transfer the coarse sand left in sieve to a pre-weighted silica
crucible, oven dry it at 1050C and find the increase in weight (W3) which corresponds to the
weight oven dry coarse sand.
After second pipetting remove the suspension gently by means of a siphon tube
leaving behind about 4 cm height undisturbed sediment at the bottom of the sedimentation
cylinder. Bring this sediment into suspension by agitating with a stream of water and transfer the
content to a 500 ml beaker marked at 10 cm above the bottom. Add whatever fine material
passed out of 70 mesh sieve by rubbing. Let the beaker stand for 15 minutes. Decant the
supernatant with no or minimum disturbance to the sediment, fill the beaker again with water to
the 10 cm mark stir the sediment wait for 15 minutes and again decant the supernatant. Record
the temperature and find the corresponding time of decantation for fine sand from Table-1. Now
fill the beaker again to 10 cm mark with water and ensure through mixing of sediment. Allow to
stand and on completion of period for decantation as note for Table-1 decant the supernatant as
completely as possible without losing any sediment. Again fill the beaker with water to 10 cm
mark and repeat the exercise until supernatant becomes almost devoid of any suspended matter.
Now transfer the residue in the beaker to pre-weighted silica crucible, evaporate and oven dry the
sample at 1050C, cool in a desiccator and note the increase in weight (W4) which corresponds to
the weight of oven dry fine sand.

Observation table-
S.No. Weight of 1st Weight of 2nd Weight of Weight of Texture

pipet sample pipet sample sandy residue sandy residue
after
decantation
Calculation- Percent fractions in air-dry soil-
Coarse sand (%) = W3x4
Fine sand (%) = W4x4
Silt (%) = (W1-W2) x 250
Clay (%) = (W2 x 250) – 1.6
Where, W1= weight of first pipette sample (gm)
W2= weight of second pipette sample (gm)
W3= weight of sandy residue obtained on 70 mesh sieve (gm) and
W4= weight of sandy residue obtained by decantation (gm)
Result- The texture of given soil was observed ---------- gm.
Precautions-
1. Note the value carefully.

2. Weight the soil exactly.
3. Dry the soil properly.

BULK DENSITY
Object- Determine the bulk density of given soil.
Requirements- Oven, measuring cylinder and chemical balance.
Method- Dry the soil sample in oven at 105 0C until a constant weight is attained, transfer a little
dried soil to a measuring cylinder and note the volume. Record the weight of this volume of soil
on a balance.
Observation table-
S. No. Weight of soil (gm) Volume of soil (ml) Bulk density

(gm/cm3)
1.
2.
3.
Calculation-
Bulk density (gm/cm3) = Weight of soil (gm)/Volume of soil (cm3)
Result- The bulk density of given soil was observed ------- gm/cm3.
Precautions-


SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Object- Determine the specific gravity of given soil.
Requirements- Oven, glass bottles, chemical balance.
Method- Dry the soil in an oven at 1050C until a constant weight is attained. Fill a pre-weighted
glass bottle of known volume with dried soil and records its weight. Fill another pre-weighted
glass bottle of same volume with distilled water and records its weight.
Observation table-
S. No. Initial Weight of Initial Weight of Specific

weight of bottle with weight of bottle with gravity
bottle-1(gm) soil (gm) bottle-2 distilled
(gm) water (gm)
1.
2.
3.
Calculation- Formula is given below:
Specific gravity = A2-A1/B2-B1

Where, A2= weight of bottle with soil
A1= weight of empty bottle used for soil
B2= weight of bottle with distilled water
B1= weight of empty bottle used for distilled water
Result- The specific gravity of given soil was observed--------.

Precautions-


MOISTURE CONTENT
Object- Determine the moisture content of given soil.
Requirements- Oven and chemical balance.
Method- Take a fresh homogenized sample of soil and weight it. Now dry it in an oven at 1050C
until a constant weight is attained. Cool in a desiccator and record the final weight of sample.
Observation table-
S. No. Initial weight of soil Weight of dried soil Moisture content

(gm) (gm) (%)
1.
2.
3.
Calculation- Moisture content (%) = I-F/I*100
Where, I= initial weight of soil
F= final weight of soil after drying
Result- The moisture content of given soil was observed-----------%.
Precautions-


WATER HOLDING CAPACITY
Object- Determine the water holding capacity of given soil.
Requirements- Oven, perforated circular soil boxes (5.6 cm diameter, 1.6 cm height bottom
perforated with hales of 0.75 mm diameter), Filter paper (whatman no.1), petridish and chemical
balance.
Method- Dry the crushed soil sample in an oven at 1050C. Place a filter paper inside the
perforated bottom of the circular soil box, weight the box and fill it with dried soil sample. Note
the weight of box filled with dried soil. Place the box in petridish of 10 cm diameter containing
water for about 12 hours. So that water enters the box and saturates the soil. Take the box out of
water wipe it dry on the outside and records its weight.
Observation table-
S. No. Initial weight of Weight of soil Weight of soil Water holding

soil box (gm) box with soil box with soil capacity (%)
(gm) after observing
water (gm)
1.
2.
3.
Calculation-
Water holding capacity (%)= (W2-W1)-(W1-W0)/(W1-W0)*100
Result- The water holding capacity of given soil was observed -----------%.
Precautions-
1. Weight the soil and particulars properly.

2. Dry the soil box from outside properly.

pH
Object- Determine the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of given soil.
Requirements- Distilled water and pH meter.
Method- Take 10 gm of air-dry soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to make a
suspension of 1:10 w/v dilution. Determine the pH of suspension.
Observation table-
S. No. Sample description pH

1.
2.
3.
Calculation- (No calculation required. Note the reading directly from pH meter screen).
Result- The hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of given soil was observed---------.
Precaution-
1. Standardize the instruments properly.

2. Prepare soil solution properly.
3. Note the reading carefully.

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (EC)
Object- Determine the electrical conductivity of given soil sample.
Requirements- Conductivity meter, distilled water, beaker.
Method- Take 10 gm of air-dry soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to prepare
suspension (1:10 w/v). Then record the EC (Electrical Conductivity).
Observation table-
S. No. Sample description Conductivity (µmho/cm)

1.
2.
3.
Calculation-
Conductivity (µmho/cm) = Selector knob reading x dial reading x cell constant.
Result- The electrical conductivity of given soil was observed---------µmho/cm.
Precautions-
1. Prepare soil suspension properly.

2. Calibrate the conductivity meter.
3. Note the reading properly.

REDOX POTENTIAL
Object- Determine the redox potential of given soil.
Requirements- Distilled water
Method- Take 10 gm of air-dry soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to make a
suspension (1:10 w/v). Determine the redox potential of suspension as that of water.
Observation table-
S. No. Sample description Redox potential

1.
2.
3.
Calculation- Digital instrumental method (no calculation).
Result- The redox potential of given soil was observed----------.
Precautions-
1. Calibrate instrument properly.


ALKALINITY
Object- Determine the alkalinity of given soil.
Requirements- Distilled water, filter paper (whatman no- 44), oven and chemical balance.
Method- Take a 10 gm of air-dry soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to prepare a
suspension (1:10 w/v) filter it through a filter paper and determine the alkalinity of filtrate.
(Procedure same as in water alkalinity testing) in the fraction of same soil/sediments sample
estimate the moisture contents.
Observation table-
S. No. Sample Initial Final Normality of Alkalinity

description reading of reading of H2SO4 (mg/g)
burette (ml) burette (ml)
1.
2.
3.
Calculation-
Alkalinity (mg/g) = F/10 * V/W * 1/(100-M)
Where, F= Alkalinity of filtrate (mg/l)

V= Total volume of suspension (ml)
W= weight of soil used in suspension (g)
and M= Moisture content of soil/sediment (%)
Result- The alkalinity of given soil was observed----------mg/g.
Precautions-


CHLORIDE
Object- Determine the chloride in given soil sample.
Requirements- Filter paper (Whatman no. 44), weight box, physical balance, distilled water etc.
Procedure- Take 10 gm of soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to prepare a 1:10 w/v
suspension. Filter it through a filter paper and estimate the chloride in filtrate following the
method given for water.
Calculation-
Chloride (mg/l) = F/10 x V/W x 1/(100-M)
Where, F= chloride estimated in filtrate (mg/l)
V = total volume of suspension (ml)
W = weight of soil/sediment used in suspension (gm)
And M = moisture content of soil/sediment (%)
Result- Chloride in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-
1. Weight carefully.
2. Collect soil sample carefully.
3. Note the end point carefully.

SULPHATE
Object- Determine the sulphate in given soil sample.
Requirements- Filter paper (Whatman no. 44), weight box, physical balance, distilled water etc.
Procedure- Take 10 gm of soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to prepare a 1:10 w/v
suspension. Filter it through a filter paper and estimate the sulphate in it following the method
described for water, preferably the gravimetric method. Estimate in a fraction of same
soil/sediment sample the moisture content following the method given water.
Calculation-
Chloride (mg/l) = F/10 x V/W x 1/(100-M)
Where, F= sulphate estimated in filtrate (mg/l)
W = weight of soil/sediment used in suspension (gm)
And M = moisture content of soil/sediment (%)
Result- Chloride in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-
1. Weight the soil carefully.


NITROGEN (KJELDHAL NITROGEN)
Object- Determine the nitrogen in give soil sample.
Requirements- Kjeldhal distillation assembly, laboratory glassware etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Catalyst mixture- Mix 20 gm of copper sulphate, 3 gm of mercuric oxide, and 1 gm of

selenium powder and grind. Mix 2 gm of this mixture with 40 gm of sodium sulphate to
prepare the catalyst mixture.
(b.) Sulphuric acid (concentrated)
(c.) Sodium hydroxide solution (40%)- Dissolve 40 gm of sodium hydroxide in 100 ml of
distilled water.
(d.) Zink granules.
(e.) Boric acid cum indicator solution-
(f.) Hydrochloric acid (0.1N)- Take 8.34 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid (12N) and
dilute with distilled water to prepare 100 ml of 0.1N HCl. Dilute this 100 ml for 1.0N
HCl to 1 liter by adding distilled water and get 0.1N HCl.
Procedure- Take 10 gm of air-dry soil/sediment in a 300 ml round bottom flask and add 20 gm
of catalyst mixture and 35 ml of sulphuric acid. Heat the contents from bottom of the flask for
about 2 hours. Cool the contents (digest), add about 100 ml of distilled water, wait for about 5
minutes, and deliver the supernatant into 1 liter distillation flask A of Kjeldhal distillation
assembly. Wash the residue with a little of distilled water several times and transfer the
supernatant each time to the same distillation flask. Add 100 ml of sodium hydroxide solution
and a few granules of zinc. Take 25 ml of boric acid cum indicator solution in a 500 ml
Erlenmeyer flask B and place it below distillation assembly so that the lower open ends of the
condenser is dipped in solution. Heat the distillation flask on a hot plate and collect about 150 ml
of distillate in flask B. Remove the flask with distillate and titrate the distillate (which has turned
blue due to dissolution of ammonia) against 0.1N hydrochloric acid. Turning of blue colour to
light brown-pink indicates the end point. Run distilled water blank in the same manner.

Calculation-
Kjeldhal Nitrogen (mg/l) = T1 – T2 x N x 14 / W
Kjeldhal Nitrogen (%) = T1 – T2 x N x 1.4 / W
Where, T1 = volume of titrant used against sample (ml)
T2 = volume of titrant used against distilled water blank (ml)
N = normality of titrant (0.1) and
W = weight of soil/sediment used (gm)
Result- The Kjeldhal nitrogen in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-
1. Weight carefully.
3. Note the end point carefully.
4. Prepare solution carefully.

NITRATE
Object- Determine the nitrate of given soil sample.
Requirements- Laboratory glass ware, filter paper (whatman no. 50), chemical balance, flask
etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Extraction reagent- (i.) Dissolve 12.5 gm of copper sulphate in distilled water to make
100 ml of solution.
(ii.) Dissolve 0.6 gm of silver sulphate in distilled water to make 100 ml of solution. Mix
20 ml and 100 ml of solution (i) and (ii) respectively and dilute with distilled water to
make 1 liter of nitrate extraction reagent.
(b.) Calcium hydroxide- Dry powdered.
(c.) Magnesium carbonate-Dry powdered.
Procedure- Dry the soil/sediment in air and take 50 gm of it in an Erlenmeyer flask (500 ml).
Add 250 ml of extraction reagent, shake for 15 minutes, add 0.4 gm of calcium hydroxide, shake
for 5 minutes, and then add 1 gm of magnesium carbonate. Filter the contents through filter
paper and measure the total volume of filtrate. Determine the nitrate content in filtrate following
phenodisulphonic acid method described for water.
Calculation-
NO3- N (mg/l) = F x V / 1000 x W
Where, F = NO3- N determine in filtrate (mg/l)
V = total volume of filtrate (ml) and
W = weight of dried soil/sediment used (gm)/

Result- The nitrate in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-
1. Weight soil carefully.


TOTAL PHOSPHORUS
Object- Determine the total phosphorus in given soil sample.
Requirements- Filter paper (Whatman no.44), hot plate, distilled water, flask and reagent bottle,
weigh box, physical balance etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Nitric acid.

(b.) Perchloric acid (concentrated)
(c.) Sulphuric acid (dilute)- Take 5 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid and dilute with distilled
water to 100 ml.
Procedure- Air-dry the soil/sediment grinds to fine powder, and take 0.5 gm of it in a round
bottom flask. Add a few drops of distilled water, 2 ml of nitric acid and 2 ml of perchloric acid.
Heat gently on hot plate up to dryness. Cool, add 21 ml of sulphuric acid and boil for 15 minutes.
Cool the flask; filter the digest through a filter paper (Whatman no. 44) and makeup the volume
of it to 250 ml with distilled water in a volumetric flask. Determine the phosphate content in
solution following the method described for estimation of inorganic phosphorus in water.
Calculation-
Total phosphorus (mg/l) = Pd x V / 1000 x W
Where, Pd = PO4-P in digest (mg/l)
V = total volume of solution (ml) and
W = weight of air dry soil/sediment taken (gm)
Result- The total phosphorus in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-


PHOSPHATE
Object- Determine the phosphate in given soil sample.
Requirements- Filter paper (Whatman no. 50), flask, distilled water etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Sulphuric acid (0.002N)- Dilute 2.8 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid to 1 liter by adding
distilled water. Take 20 ml of it and dilute to 1 liter with distilled water to get 0.002N
suphuric acid.
Procedure- Air-dry the soil/sediment sample and take 1 gm of it in 500 ml flask. Add 200 ml
sulphuric acid (0.002N) to it and shake for about half an hour. Filter the suspension through a
filter paper (Whatman no. 50). Determine the phosphate content in the filtrate following the
method described for phosphorus in water.
Calculation-
PO4-P (mg/l) = Ps x V / 1000 x W
Where, Ps= PO4-P estimated in suspension (mg/l)
V = total volume of suspension (ml) and
W = weight of air dry soil/sediment taken.
Result- The total phosphate in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-


CALCIUM
Object- Determine the calcium in given soil sample.
Requirements- Filter paper (Whatman no. 50), flask, distilled water, beaker etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Ethyl alcohol- absolute and 40 %.

(b.) Ammonium acetate solution (1N) - Take 57 ml of glacial acetate acid and dilute it to 800
ml with distilled water. Add gradually the concentration ammonium hydroxide solution
till pH 7.0 is attained. Further add distilled water to make the final volume 1 liter.
Procedure- Preparation of soil extract: Air dries the soil/sediment and takes 50 gm of it in a
flask. Add 100 ml of 40% of ethyl alcohol, shake well, wait for about 10 minutes, and filter the
suspension through filter paper. Further wash the soil residue on filter paper with 40% ethyl
alcohol and finally with absolute ethyl alcohol. Transfer the residue to a beaker, add 100 ml of
ammonium acetate solution, stir and allow standing overnight. Filter the supernatant through
filter paper and collect the filtrate (soil extract). Note the total volume of soil extract.
Calculation-
Calcium (mg/l) = T x 400.4 x V1 / V2 x W 10000
Where, T = volume of EDTA titrant used (ml)
V1 = total volume of soil extract (ml)
V2 = volume of soil extract titrated (ml) and
W = weight of air-dry soil/sediment taken for extraction.
Result- The total calcium in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-


MAGNESIUM
Object- Determine the magnesium in given soil sample.
Requirements- Filter paper (Whatman no. 50), all material including reagents, required for
determination of magnesium in water etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Ethyl alcohol- Absolute and 40%.

(b.) Ammonium acetate solution- Take 57 ml of glacial acetate acid and dilute it to 800 ml
with distilled water. Add gradually the concentration ammonium hydroxide solution till
pH 7.0 is attained. Further add distilled water to make the final volume 1 liter.
Procedure- Prepare the soil extract as in case of determination of calcium. Find out magnesium
content in the extract following the method given for determination of magnesium in water.
Calculation-
Magnesium (mg/l) = T2 – T1 x 400.4 x V1 / V2 x 1.645x W x 10000
Where, T2 = volume of EDTA titrant used for determination of calcium and magnesium (ml)
T1 = volume of EDTA titrant used for determination of calcium (ml)
V1 = total volume of soil extract (ml)
V2 = volume of soil extract titrated (ml) and
W = weight of air-dry soil/sediment taken for extraction (gm)
Result- The total magnesium in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-


SODIUM
Object- Determine the sodium in given soil sample.
determination of sodium in water etc.
Reagents-

Procedure- Prepare the soil extract as described for calcium. Determine the sodium content in
extract following the method of sodium determination in water.
Calculation-
Sodium (mg/l) = A x V/ W x 10000
Where, A = sodium content of soil extract (mg/l)
V = total volume of soil extract (ml) and
Result- The total sodium in given soil sample was observed -------mg/l.
Precautions-


POTASSIUM
Object- Determine the potassium in given soil sample.
determination of potassium in water etc.
Reagents-

Procedure- Prepare the soil extract as described for determination of calcium. Find out the
potassium in extract as it is determined in water.
Calculation-
Potassium (mg/l) = A x V / W x 10000
Where, A = potassium content of soil extract (mg/l)
V = total volume of soil extract (ml) and
Result- The total potassium in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-


IRON
Object- Determine the iron in given soil sample.
determination of iron in water etc.
Procedure- Take 10 gm of air dried soil/sediment and add 100 ml of distilled water to make
1:10 w/v suspension. Filter it through a filter paper and determine the iron in filtrate following
the method used for iron estimation in water. Analyze a fraction of soil/sediment sample for
moisture content as described moisture content of soil.
Calculation-
Iron (mg/l) = F/10 x V/W x 1/ (100-M)
Where, F = iron determined in filtrate (mg/l)
W = weight of soil/sediment used in suspension (gm) and
M = moisture content of soil/sediment (%)
Result- The total iron in given soil sample was observed--------mg/l.
Precautions-


ORGANIC MATTER
Object- Determine the organic matter in given soil sample.
Requirements- Laboratory glassware, flask etc.
Reagents-
(a.) Potassium dichromeate solution (1N)- Dissolve 49.04 gm of potassium dichromate in

distilled water to prepare 1liter of solution.
(b.) Sulphuric acid (concentrated)
(c.) Phosphoric acid (concentration)
(d.) Sodium fluoride- Dry, powdered
(e.) Diphenylamine indicator- Dissolve 0.25 gm of diphenylamine in 10 ml of distilled water
and add gradually 50 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid.
(f.) Ferrous ammonium sulphate solution (0.5N)- Add 20 ml of concentrated suphuric acid to
800 ml of distilled water and dissolve in it 196.1 gm of ferrous ammonium sulphate.
Further add distilled water to make the volume 1 liter.
Procedure- Air-dry the soil/sediment and take 0.5 gm of it in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask. Add10
ml of potassium dichromate solution and gradually 20 ml of sulphuric acid. Wait for about half
an hour, and the add 200 ml of distilled water, 10 ml of phosphoric acid, 0.2 gm of sodium
fluoride and 1 ml of diphenylamine indicator. Titrate the contents against ferrous ammonium
sulphate solution, at the end point the dull green colour changes through turbid blue to the
brilliant green.
Calculation-
O M (mg/l) = 6.791/ W [1- T1/T2] x 10
O M (%) = 6.791/ W [1- T1/T2]
Carbon (%) = 6.791/ W x 1.724 [1- T1/T2]
Where, OM = Organic matter
W = weight of soil/sediment taken (gm)

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Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis

ANAND DEV GUPTA

ANAND DEV GUPTA

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 88

Object- Determine the texture of given soil.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 89

Filter the suspension in a sedimentation cylinder through a 70 mess sieve.

Table-1. Time the sedimentation at different temperatures.

Temperature First pipette sample Second Fine sand decantation

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 90

Stir the suspension vigorously by up and down.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 91

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 92

S.No. Weight of 1st Weight of 2nd Weight of Weight of Texture

Calculation- Percent fractions in air-dry soil-

Coarse sand (%) = W3x4

Fine sand (%) = W4x4

Silt (%) = (W1-W2) x 250

Clay (%) = (W2 x 250) – 1.6

Where, W1= weight of first pipette sample (gm)

W2= weight of second pipette sample (gm)

W3= weight of sandy residue obtained on 70 mesh sieve (gm) and

W4= weight of sandy residue obtained by decantation (gm)

Result- The texture of given soil was observed ---------- gm.

1. Note the value carefully.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 93

Object- Determine the bulk density of given soil.

Requirements- Oven, measuring cylinder and chemical balance.

S. No. Weight of soil (gm) Volume of soil (ml) Bulk density

Bulk density (gm/cm3) = Weight of soil (gm)/Volume of soil (cm3)

1. Note the value carefully.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 94

Object- Determine the specific gravity of given soil.

Requirements- Oven, glass bottles, chemical balance.

S. No. Initial Weight of Initial Weight of Specific

Calculation- Formula is given below:

Specific gravity = A2-A1/B2-B1

Result- The specific gravity of given soil was observed--------.

1. Note the value carefully.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 95

Object- Determine the moisture content of given soil.

Requirements- Oven and chemical balance.

S. No. Initial weight of soil Weight of dried soil Moisture content

Calculation- Moisture content (%) = I-F/I*100

Where, I= initial weight of soil

F= final weight of soil after drying

Result- The moisture content of given soil was observed-----------%.

1. Note the value carefully.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 96

WATER HOLDING CAPACITY

Object- Determine the water holding capacity of given soil.

S. No. Initial weight of Weight of soil Weight of soil Water holding

Water holding capacity (%)= (W2-W1)-(W1-W0)/(W1-W0)*100

1. Weight the soil and particulars properly.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 97

Object- Determine the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of given soil.

Requirements- Distilled water and pH meter.

S. No. Sample description pH

1. Standardize the instruments properly.

Hand Book of Water, Air and Soil Analysis ………… 98

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (EC)

Object- Determine the electrical conductivity of given soil sample.

Requirements- Conductivity meter, distilled water, beaker.