Jord

Question 1

Common Cations Involved in CEC

Answer 1

Essential nutrients:
- Calcium (Ca²⁺)
- Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
- Potassium (K⁺)
- Ammonium (NH₄⁺)

Other cations:
- Sodium (Na⁺)
- Hydrogen (H⁺)
- Aluminum (Al³⁺)

Question 2

Practical Implications of CEC

Answer 2

High CEC soils require fewer nutrient applications, while low CEC soils need more frequent fertilization

Soils with higher CEC can retain more nutrients and are generally more fertile.

Soils with low CEC (like sandy soils) do not hold nutrients well and require frequent fertilization.

Question 3

Factors Affecting CEC

Answer 3

• Soil Texture: Clay soils have higher CEC than sandy soils.
• Organic Matter: Higher organic matter content increases CEC.
• pH Levels: At low pH, soil CEC can decrease due to increased hydrogen ions occupying exchange sites.

Question 4

meq/kg

Answer 4

milliequivalents per kilogram

represents the amount of an ion that can react with or replace one mole of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a reaction

Used to express cation exchange capacity (CEC), which determines the soil’s ability to hold and exchange nutrients.

Question 5

Does oxidation or reduction reduce pH?

Answer 5

Oxidation

Question 6

SO2

Answer 6

Sulfur dioxide