Acidity and buffering capacity of Iranian Woods

Abstract

pH and buffering capacity of nine Iranian commercial hardwoods from Caspian sea forests are determined. Selected woods includes Elm, Maple, Hornbeam, (White beech), basswood (lime tree), Alder, Beech, Persimmon (diospyros lutos), Oak and Ironwood. This study was conducted using procedure developed Johns and Niazi. pH of these woods ranged from 4.44 for Oak to as high as 5.37 for basswood. pH of bark extract was always lower than debarked wood with the exception of Maple, Persimmon and Oak. Furthermore heartwood of all these species is more acidic than sapwood with the exception of Oak. Acid buffering capacity of these woods ranged between 0.0046 to 0.1481 mili-equivalent normal NaOH for one gram of wood and base buffering capacity varied between 0.0310 to 0.0768 mili-equivalent normal H2So4 for one gram of wood. Buffering capacity of bark is also measured and it was found that acid or base buffering capacity of wood and it anatomical components is additives.