RELATIONSHIPS OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY WITH TOTAL DISSOLVED SALTS AND CATION CONCENTRATION OF SULFATE-DOMINANT SOIL EXTRACTS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Simple equations for accurate estimation of total dissolved salts (TDS) and cation concentration (C.SIGMA.) from electrical conductivity (EC) measurements (ranging from 0 to 16 mS/cm) were developed for sulfate-rich soils in southern Alberta [Canada]. Soil extracts were obtained by the saturation extract method from 879 samples. From 260 of these samples, the 1:10 extraction method was also used. Electrical conductivity and TDS in the solution (by summation of the ions and/or by evaporation) were determined. Several regression equations were fitted. The following equation is recommended for estimating TDS (in mg/L): TDS = 765.1 EC1.087. For estimating the cation concentration (C.SIGMA. in meq/L), the equation C.SIGMA. = 10.61 EC1.122 is recommended. Total soluble salts determined by summation of ions was about 16% less than that by the evaporation method. The amount of salts extracted from the soil was greater with 1:10 extraction than with the saturation extract method, but considerable discrepancy was found between the 2 extraction methods.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: