A SIMPLE APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE CARBON CONTENT OF THE SOIL

Abstract

The apparatus consists of 3 units, a reaction vessel, a Hg reservoir (or slow combustion unit), and an absorption flask. Soil samples are oxidized by either K iodate or dichromate in a cone. H2SO4 medium. When using dichromate as the oxidant, the CO which may be formed is converted to CO2 in a slow combustion unit. The CO2 is then drawn into an adsorption flask containing Ba(OH)2 where it is detd. by titration. The use of iodate as oxidant permits the measurement of both CO2 found and O2 consumed. These data may show promise as an index of state of oxidation of soil organic matter. Results are given for the method when applied to pure organic compounds and also to a number of Oregon soils.