Total Soluble Salts Research Articles

Use of Salt by Elk in Idaho

The use of salt in the management of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) in Idaho was investigated in 1955-60. Salt hunger developed in elk during May after they had been feeding on succulent forage for 2-3 weeks. The degree to which artificial salt grounds were used by elk depended chiefly on their location in respect to desired vegetation, elevation, number of migrant animals in the area, the existence of salt, and the amount of disturbance by livestock. Maximum desire for salt covered a period in late May and early June. Artificial salt blocks were consumed before there was a noticeable use of the salt-impregnated soil. In the chemical analysis of spring water from 16 samples, sodium carried in the spring waters seems to be the element attracting elk. The physical characteristics of water issuing from the licks appeared to have no relationship to its use. One hundred ninety correlations were run on the computer of five elements, bicarbonate, and sulphate in both water and soil at the natural licks, along with total soluble salts, pH, and water temperatures. Nineteen correlations were highly significant, and eight were significant. The only element that appeared in abnormally large quantities at five lick waters was fluorine, which exceeded 6 ppm. Since these natural licks were utilized only during the spring and early summer, the effects that fluoride may have on the health of big game was not determined. Dispersal of elk from natural licks by placing salt blocks in the vicinity was effective only as long as the salt blocks were present. Salt grounds established for cattle were used considerably by elk when cattle were not present. Salt placed on summer range did not induce elk to remain longer or to leave winter range earlier. No significant differences could be detected in the rate of elk movements to higher elevations from the winter range between salted and unsalted portions of the study

The karst groundwaters of Syria

In Syria, there are four lithological-stratigraphical successions which have evolved into karstic aquifers (Fig. 1). They are the carbonate sediments of the Jurassic (1000 to 2400 metres), of the Middle Cretaceous (650 to 850 metres) and of the Tertiary (irregular distribution and thickness) as well as the highly-soluble evaporate beds of the marine-lagoonal Lower Fars (Middle Miocene). Post-Jurassic and post-Cretaceous emergences gave rise to palaeo-karsts, while minor Miocene and Pliocene karsts are suspected. The main karstification, however, is of Quaternary age and must be connected with Pluvials. The quantity and quality of water discharged from the karst aquifers through springs and from boreholes are presented and discussed - Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. While few individual bores have high yields, full pumping from 26 good bores would yield just 6 cubic metres per second, comparable with that flowing from any of the larger karst springs of Syria. In quality (Fig. 2), total soluble salts are higher in borehole than in spring waters; in particular, NaCl is much lower in spring waters than in bores, though HCO 3 tends to be slightly higher. The springs obtain their waters from well-flushed zones of active circulation; the bores pump from zones of less-active circulation. Attention is drawn to a phenomenon found in most boreholes which cut karst aquifers in Syria; there is an upper “Carapace Zone” which is dry, a central “Open Karst Aquifer Zone” and an underlying “Unkarstified Carbonate Floor Zone” which is also dry (Fig. 3). The water in the aquifer zone is frequently under pressure and will rise into or above the carapace zone. The carapace zone may be due to blocking during drilling, but more probably is due to non-formation of karst above the level of active groundwater circulation, or to subsequent sealing of the upper karst by transgressive formations (often marls in Syria) or by downwards percolation of clay and soil.

Comparison of Phreatophyte Communities on the Rio Grande in New Mexico

Randomly spaced line intercepts were taken in 18 relatively mature phreatophyte communities on 300 miles of the Rio Grande in New Mexico. Samples of three stands in each of six geographical areas revealed no regularity in species present, percentages of cover, or height over the entire area. Vegetation of the southern and northern sectors was different. Highly significant differences in tamarisk (Tamarix pentandra) and screwbean (Prosopis pubescens) cover were found in plots within areas. The difference in cottonwood (Populus fremontii) cover within and between plots where cottonwood dominated was nonsignificant. No correlation could be found between pH, total soluble salts, and texture of the soil and dominant species of plants growing in the area. In general, no distinct breaks or ecotones occurred in the composition of the narrow band of river vegetation; it formed a continuum with gradual and almost imperceptible changes between dominant and subdominant species as one moved north or south. Postclimax ...

Some studies of salt-affected soils of Canning, West Bengal

Six profiles from a representative area in the southern part of the deltaic region of Gangetic West Bengal, India, were examined. Of these, one can be termed as normal, another as non-saline alkali, and the remaining four as saline alkali. Of the saline alkali ones, there was one profile which had a rather low pH. The acidic condition of the soil is due to the presence of decaying organic matter in the soil giving rise to what has been termed as a degraded saline alkali soil. In designating the soils as such, the broad conditions of total soluble salts expressed as percentage of sodium chloride per hundred grams of soil and the exchangeable sodium percentage have been used as the criterion. The soils have thus been classified taking into consideration the dominant soil-forming factors active here. Remedial measures to improve these soils include the incorporation of green-manuring crops and the application of soil ameliorants like lime, gypsum and sometimes other chemical amendments. The soils must be surveyed in order to delineate the types of salt-affected soils, and during reclamation, drainage and irrigation measures should not be lost sight of either.

Further contribution to the study of the sociology and ecology of the halophilous plant communities of Mareotis (Egypt)

1. Further study of the halophilous communities in the coastal belt of the western desert in Egypt revealed the presence of the following associations in addition to those described by the senior author (Tadros, 1953) a) Hydrophytic communities: Eichhornietum crassipis (Provisional) Scirpetum maritimi isiacetosum. Scirpetum maritimi. Salicornieto-Suaedetum salsae. b) Communities occupying drier saline habitats: Salsoletum tetrandrae Lycieto-Limoniastretum monopetali 2. Soil samples secured from all the halophilous communities described from this region were analysed in order to find out what edaphic characters may control the distribution of these communities. The analysis included, water content, water retaining capacity, texture, total soluble salts, chlorides, sulphates, organic carbon, total nitrogen, Ca, Mg, Al and Fe. 3. It was found that the principal factor that shows regular effect was the total salinity, but together with that, changes in the other factors, especially soil texture, Ca/Si ratio, CaO\s+MgO/Al2O3\s+Fe2O3 ratio and the C/N ratio were very important and that the soil properties should be considered together as interacting factors concomitant with the type of community. 4. From a discussion of the sociological and environmental relationships of the communities, it was concluded that they are correlated together in a special type of succession that depends more upon the accumulation of drifted matter over saline beds than upon local pedogenic processes. 5. The members of a community, especially the perennials contribute to the raising of the level of the ground together with other physical factors like wind and flood transportation. 6. Though the soils examined were found to belong to the primitive azonal type, yet it was found evident that in dense highly developed communities like the Atripleceto-Picridetum radicatae, soil development has actually started. This was clear from the relative decalcification of the surface layers as well as the state of migration of Al2O3\s+Fe2O3 and from the C/N ratio.

Factors Affecting Calcium Nutrition of Celery, Tomato, and Pepper

AbstractAll of the factors most frequently associated with the prevalence and severity of blackheart of celery and blossom‐end rot of tomatoes and peppers can be placed into two categories according to the mechanisms by which they affect calcium nutrition.Mechanism A.—Excessive soluble ammonium, potassium, magnesium, or sodium or a deficiency of soluble calcium (low calcium ratio) cause a decreased calcium uptake and increased incidence of the physiological disorders. On an equivalent basis, ammonium decreases calcium uptake of tomatoes to the greatest degree; sodium the least.Mechanism B.—Excess total salts can cause a calcium deficiency and has frequently been associated with the prevalence of these disorders even when the measurable calcium ratio is considered high or adequate.A deficiency of boron was of minor importance in affecting the calcium nutrition, but high calcium ratios severely accentuated a boron deficiency.A favorable calcium ratio should be maintained to the best degree possible by (1) supplying larger amounts of soluble calcium salts, and (2) avoiding, as much as possible, excesses of soluble ammonium, potassium, magnesium, or sodium salts as well as excess total soluble salts.Periodic calcium sprays are recommended as a source of calcium supplementary to that supplied by the soil as a means of maintaining an adequate supply of calcium to meet the plant requirement at all times.

Seasonal changes in soil salinity at Tintinara, South Australia

Measurements have been made of seasonal changes in soil salinity and soil water at Tintinara in the Coonalpyn Downs of South Australia. Five separate sites representing different soil profiles were selected for study. All soils contained saline water-tables and four of the five had varying depths of sand over finer-textured subsoils; the fifth soil was fine-textured throughout. The investigations were conducted over a 12-month period, salinity and water determinations being made every 8 weeks. Data on soil salinity are presented as: (1) Conductance of soil pastes, determined on replicates and statistically analysed. (2) Percentage of total soluble salts, derived from conductivities of 1:5 soil-water suspensions determined on composite sample. (3) Percentage of chlorides expressed as NaCl, determined on composite samples. All sets of data show that soluble salts moved upwards through the soil profile during spring and summer and down during the rainy season. Where the summer water-table was within 4 ft of the surface large amounts of saline material accumulated in the top inch of soil; in one case there was an increase of from 0.019 per cent. NaCl in winter to 3.2 per cent. in summer. Data are also presented showing that the salinity of the ground-waters increased to a maximum of 2-3.5 per cent. total salts in spring or summer. Seasonal soil water changes are recorded and discussed in relation to salinity changes. The climatic, soil, and ground-water factors influencing salt movements are discussed and the agronomic implications of seasonal salinity changes are stressed. Suggestions on the basis of the results obtained are made respecting the sampling of saline soils.

Studies in the variation of soil reaction. III. Variations at the Waite Agricultural Institute

Variations in reaction and total soluble salts of a red-brown earth from South Australia have been assessed. Seasonal changes are discernible for reaction but are largely masked by spatial variations even over small areas. The amplitude of the seasonal changes is of the order of 0.15 of a pH unit, the soil returning to the same pH value during the succeeding season. Spatial variations have been found for organic carbon, nitrogen, clay, and exchangeable cations over small areas. Data have been presented to show that while the mean soil reaction does not vary widely, there is a variation in the variance of the reaction values about the mean with season. The change of the reaction status of the soil with time over a small area does not consist of a uniform increase and decrease of 911 the reaction values in the area but rather of a reorganization of all hydrogen ion contributing factors to give difference in dispersion about the mean value.

SOLUBLE SULFATE CONTENT OF POTTERY BODIES DURING PREPARATION*

AbstractA method of analysis has been developed that gives consistent results for soluble sulfate and total soluble salts in ceramic raw materials and bodies. Values for sulfate on a dry‐weight basis ranged from 0.01 to 0.28% with ball clays, from 0.002 to 0.015% with china clays, and from 0.000 to 0.007% with miscellaneous raw materials. Bentonites were relatively high in sulfate, a Wyoming bentonite showing the highest value, 0.194%.The distribution of sulfate in the slip, cake, and press water was determined for eighteen ceramic bodies. An increase in the water‐clay ratio in slips was found to increase the recoverable soluble sulfate (percentage dry basis). In experiments on repeated cycles of cake to slip to filter pressing, soluble sulfate continued to be released, but the bulk of the sulfate was obtained in the first pressing. Quantitative results are given on the effectiveness of barium carbonate as a precipitating reagent for sulfate in slips.Aging from six months to one year was found to have little effect on the soluble sulfate in stored samples of slips, cakes, and press waters. Dry storage, however, doubled the soluble sulfate content of a freshly mined ball clay within six months, evidently by oxidation of sulfur compounds.