DETERMINATION OF SOIL pH

AIM: The determination of pH in soil.

REAGENTS: Standard buffer solutions: Dissolve one commercially available buffer
tablet each of pH 4.0, 7.0 and 9.2 in freshly prepared distilled water separately and make up
the volume to 100 ml. Prepare the fresh solution every week as these solutions are
unstable.

APPARATUS: pH meter with glass electrodes, Thermometer, Glass beaker (100 ml),
Glass rod

THEORY:
The soil pH reflects whether a soil is acidic, neutral, basic or alkaline. The acidity, neutrality
or alkalinity of a soil is measured in terms of hydrogen ion activity of the soil water system.
The negative logarithm of the H ion activity is called pH and thus pH of a soil is a measure of
only the intensity of activity and not the amount of the acid present. The pH range normally
found in soils varies from 3 to 9.

Mathematically pH is represented as, log [1/H] = - log [H+]

PROCEDURE:
1. 20 gm of 2.0 mm air dry soil into a beaker. Add 50 ml of distilled water and stir with a
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.

8.

glass rod thoroughly for about 5 minutes and keep for half an hour.
In the meantime turn the pH meter ON, allow it to warm up for 15 minutes.
Standardize the glass electrode using standard buffer of pH = 7 and calibrate with the
buffer pH = 4 or pH = 9.2.
Dip the electrodes in the beakers containing the soil water suspension with constant
stirring.
While recording pH, switch the pH meter to pH reading, wait 30 seconds and record
the pH value to the nearest 0.1 unit. Put the pH meter in standby mode immediately
after recording.
Remove the electrodes from soil suspension and clean the electrodes with distilled
water.
Rinse the electrodes after each determination and carefully blot them dry with filter
paper before the next determination. Standardize the glass electrodes after every 10
determinations.
Dip the electrodes in distilled water, when not in use and ensure that the reference
electrode always contains saturated potassium chloride solution in contact with solid
potassium chloride crystals.
Three to four drops of toluene are added in standard buffer solutions to prevent
growth of mound.

APPLICATION:
pH of soil gives us an idea of the chemicals that are present in soil, any abnormal pH value
indicates soil contamination. It also affects the rate of different geophysical processes
involved in contaminant transportation.

Ratings:
< 4.5 Extremely Acidic
4.6 to 5.2 Strongly Acidic
5.3 to 6.0 Moderately Acidic
6.1 to 6.5 Slightly Acidic
6.6 to 7.0 Neutral
7.1 to 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
7.6 to 8.3 Moderately Alkaline
8.4 to 9 Strongly Alkaline
> 9 Extremely Alkaline

OBSERVATIONS:
S. No

Name of Soil
Sample

Temperature
( C)

1
2

pH

Comment on
Soil Nature
Slightly Acidic
Moderately
Alkaline

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Periodically check for damage to electrode(s).
2. Electrode tips should be kept moist during storage. Follow manufacturer's
instructions.

RESULT: pH of given soil samples is reported.