The objective of the experiment is to explore the process of simple analysis techniques and representative sampling in determining soil nutrient levels. Soil samples collected from Flinders Campus were used to determine their pH, salinity, ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and nitrite levels.
Introduction
Unless there is a specific problem detected, the most common reason for undertaking soil analysis is to detect the levels of essential nutrients (Guo, 2009). The commonly analysed nutrients in most samples submitted to the laboratory include macronutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen as well as their pH levels. McGrath and Skotnikov (1996) pointed out that knowledge about soil nutrient levels, in addition to relative comprehension …show more content…
Besides, the soil sample had medium sized gravels and formed a clear suspension in water. The mean pH for Sample 1 was 6.44, and its average salinity was 13.92.
Table 2 shows the pH and salinity levels for soil Sample 2.
Table 2: The salinity and pH of Sample 2
Sample 2: Science & engineering PH salinity
a) 6.05 at 17.7 C° 15.28 at 14.80 C°
b) 6.18 at 17.6 C° 15.17 at 14.89 C°
c) 6.20 at 17.6 C° 15. 23 at 15.71 C°
Mean 6.14 15.23
Observations on Sample 2
Soil Sample 2 had a dark brown colour and had a fresh earthly smell. Besides, the soil sample had medium sized gravels and formed a clear suspension in water. The mean pH for Sample 2 was 6.14, and its average salinity was 15.23.
Table 3 presents the pH and salinity levels for soil Sample 3 Table 3: Salinity and pH of soil Sample 3.
Sample 3: Anchor court area PH salinity
a) 5.55 at 17 C° 8.16 at 14.8 C°
b) 5.47 at 17.10C° 8.16 at 14.50 C°
c) 5.54 at 17 C° 8.10 at