Determination of electric charges in soils

Electric charges of soils were shown to vary with concentration and pH of the equilibrium solution and with the valence of the counter-ions. Accordingly, in determining the electric charges of soils, total removal of excess electrolyte should be avoided and charges should be determined by measuring ion uptake under equilibrium conditions with respect to concentration and pH. For given values of pH and electrolyte concentration, positive and negative charges determined with different salts for an Oxisol (Latossolo Roxo) and an Alfisol (Terra Roxa Estruturada), increased in the order NaCl<CaCl2< MgSO4 .