An Evaluation of Three Methods for the Quantitative Determination of Calcite and Dolomite in Soils and Geological Sediments

Abstract

The manometric and two chemical methods, the NaOAc and H₂SO₄, were evaluated for the determination of calcite and dolomite in soils and geological materials and in the sand, silt, and clay fractions from these materials. The NaOAc acid buffer method was found to be comparable to the manometric method for the sand fraction and superior to the manometric method for analysis of the silt fraction. For the clay fraction, the manometric method was unsuitable but the NaOAc buffer method was satisfactory providing a slight correction was applied. The strong acid method was rejected as inaccurate. The NaOAc method is recommended for accurate analysis of total soils. Analysis of total soils by the manometric method was demonstrated to entail small but significant errors; the method is usable if these errors are acceptable.