Validation of a method for determining Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+I K+ cations in soils

Identifier:  TFG:120

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG120

Authors:  Espí Novell, Xavier

Abstract:
Validation of a method for determining Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ and K+ cations in soils Abstract The determination of exchangeable cations in soil samples is an important issue to know the fertility of this soil. This paper tries to evaluate the validation parameters such as accuracy and reliability of a method for determining calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in soil samples by atomic absorption and emission in the case of potassium, using ammonium acetate as extractant. Since finally we could not have validated this method, we have studied different parameters that could affect the experimental procedure. Neither the amount of ammonium acetate nor the stirring time have not been the causes of the results variability. A final conclusion is that ammonium acetate is not the most suitable extractant for basic soils, as in our case. We had better use hexamin-cobalt (III) chloride carrying out successive extractions.