Multivariate analysis of anion-cation relationships in soil solution in a lysimeter experiment

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Abstract
A lysimeter experiment was conducted for 36 days to determine the content and distribution of ions in a soil solution. Three factors were considered: urine vs. no urine; anion forms, chloride (Cl) vs. sulphate (SO4); and planted vs. bare soil. The results indicate that Cl in the soil solution moved downward more slowly than SO4, and nitrate (NO3) concentration increased at all levels with time. By comparison, monovalent cations (K and NH4) remained in the upper three layers (0-15 cm) and divalent cations (Ca and Mg) in the soil solution moved into the lower layers (10-25 cm) with time. The multiple regression analyses showed that the amount of K present in the soil solution is mainly controlled by the concentration of the anions and NH4 concentration is controlled by Cl and SO4 levels. In addition, K and NH4 contents are regulated by the corresponding exchangeable cation contents. Divalent cations are present in such proportions that electroneutrality is balanced, although their contents are controlled by those of Cl and NO3 to a certain extent. Canonical correlation analysis showed that the 1st two canonical variates are positively and highly correlated with each ion concentration, and are considered to be weighted means of anion and cation concentrations. Summation of the respective anions or cations multiplied by the weights indicated a high correlation among them. This relationship may reflect accurately the electro-neutrality in a soil solution.

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