CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY OF DOMINANT SOIL TYPES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Abstract

The study was conducted on 18 locations and 11 dominant soil types in the Republic of Croatia including their evolution-genetic horizons. In total, 51 soil samples were examined. Analysis of soil was done by saturating patterns using barium chloride solution in three replications. Descriptive statistics of the analyzed data was conducted. Basic statistical parameters were calculated, and functional dependence between the base saturation (V%) of analyzed soil samples and their pH was observed. The correlation coefficient (r) between base saturation (V%) and pH for all examined soils was r=0.79 (n=51; very strong correlation). For acid soils it was r=0.82 (n=17; very strong correlation), for neutral soils r=0.75 (n=8; very strong correlation), and finally for alkaline soils r=0.15 (n=26; very weak correlation). Cation exchange capacity values ranged from 2.39 cmol+*kg-1 to 33.8 cmol+*kg-1 depending on soil type, pH, organic content and other soil parameters. The content of exchangeable cations in the sum of basic cations ranged from: Ca2+ (16% - 94%), Mg2+ (2% - 41%), K+ (1% - 68%) and Na+ (<0.01%) also depending on soil type, depth, location and other physical and chemical soil parameters.

Keywords

• basic cations
• base saturation
• correlation
• ph