Soil tests vary based on compounds and measurement devices.
Soils are tested for important nutrients like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, along with many other minerals and compounds. These tests show how common these elements are in the soil and what type of crops will grow best. Growers test soils to see what fertilizers they need to add and what elements soils are naturally abundant in. There are several different methods for preparing and testing common growing soils.
Drying and Preparation
Before the soil can be properly examined, it must be dried first. The soil is placed in a bag, numbered as a sample and dried in a small compartment until all the moisture has evaporated and only the elements in the soil are left. This makes it easier to derive accurate measurements. Scientists then crush the samples and filter out larger clods to leave only a fine sediment suitable for testing.
Spectrophotometer
A spectrophotometer is an instrument that performs two activities at once: It shines a light made out of a particular wavelength into the soil (the user is able to choose what color), and it reads the light that comes through the soil. Based on the changes, the device can tell what type of elements are in the sample. When measuring for most types of particles, a spectrophotometer is the instrument used to read the results.
Acetate
Ammonium acetate is a compound made from a base of ammonia. This solution is mixed in with the soil, and then scientists examine it with the spectrometer. The results are shone on a chart which gives observers the amounts of the minerals located in the sample. This type of test is used to search for calcium, magnesium, potassium and many other types of minerals.
DTPA
DTPA is an abbreviation for pentetic acid, or diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid. Like the acetates used in soil examination, this compound is strongly attracted to metal particles. A spectrophotometer (not to be confused with the more simple spectrometer used in acetate examinations) is used to study the affects of the DTPA. This process is used to test for zinc, copper, iron, manganese and other particles.
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