Soil pH
Soil pH
Soil pH (/soʊl piːˈeɪtʃ/) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils.
Etymology
The term "pH" was first described by Danish biochemist Søren Peter Lauritz Sørensen in 1909. pH is an abbreviation for "power of hydrogen" where "p" is short for the German word for power, potenz and H is the element symbol for hydrogen.
Definition
Soil pH is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+ or, more precisely, H3O+ aq) in a solution. In soils, it is measured in a slurry of soil mixed with water (or a salt solution, such as 0.01 M CaCl2), and normally falls between 3 and 10, with 7 being neutral.
Importance
Soil pH is considered a master variable in soils as it controls many chemical processes that take place. It specifically affects plant nutrient availability by controlling the chemical forms of the nutrient and the reaction they undergo. The optimum pH range for most plants is between 5.5 and 7.0, however many plants have adapted to thrive at pH values outside this range.
Related Terms
- Acid Soil: Soil that has a pH value less than 7.0.
- Alkaline Soil: Soil that has a pH value greater than 7.0.
- Lime: A soil additive used to reduce soil acidity and increase pH.
- Soil Test: A test used to determine soil pH, among other soil characteristics.
- Soil Buffering Capacity: The ability of a soil to resist changes in pH.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Soil pH
- Wikipedia's article - Soil pH
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