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The degree to which a given amount of lime per unit of soil volume will increase soil pH depends on the buffer capacity of the soil (this is generally related to soil cation exchange capacity or CEC). Most acid soils are saturated with aluminum rather than hydrogen ions. Soil acidity generally results from hydrolysis of aluminum. [4]
Then, using the initial soil pH and the aluminium content, the amount of lime needed to raise the pH to a desired level can be calculated. [68] Amendments other than agricultural lime that can be used to increase the pH of soil include wood ash, industrial calcium oxide , magnesium oxide, basic slag (calcium silicate), and oyster shells.
Some effects of agricultural lime on soil are: it increases the pH of acidic soil, reducing soil acidity and increasing alkalinity [1] it provides a source of calcium for plants; it improves water penetration for acidic soils; it improves the uptake of major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) of plants growing on acid soils. [2]
Soil acidification naturally occurs as lichens and algae begin to break down rock surfaces. Acids continue with this dissolution as soil develops. With time and weathering, soils become more acidic in natural ecosystems. Soil acidification rates can vary, and increase with certain factors such as acid rain, agriculture, and pollution. [1]
The addition of a small amount of lime, Ca(OH) 2, will displace hydronium ions from the soil colloids, causing the fixation of calcium to colloids and the evolution of CO 2 and water, with little permanent change in soil pH. The above are examples of the buffering of soil pH.
Effect of soil pH on cation-exchange capacity. The amount of negative charge from deprotonation of clay hydroxy groups or organic matter depends on the pH of the surrounding solution. Increasing the pH (i.e. decreasing the concentration of H + cations) increases this variable charge, and therefore also increases the cation-exchange capacity.
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Sulfuric material refers to soil material that has a pH of less than 4 owing to the oxidation of sulfidic material. [ 27 ] Sulfidic material refers to “soil materials containing detectable inorganic sulfides (≥0.01% sulfidic sulfur) that can exist as horizons or layers at least 30 mm thick or as surficial features”, [ 27 ] and is further ...