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A Study of the Influence of Moisture and Compaction on Soil Oxidation-Reduction Potentials¹

ABSTRACT

The effects of 2 moisture levels and 2 degrees of compaction on the oxidation-reduction potentials of 17 soils were investigated during an incubation period of 8 weeks. Soils receiving the optimum moisture-no compaction treatment maintained the highest potentials throughout the incubation period, while the saturated-high compaction series developed the lowest potentials. Apparently the Hagerstown soil used in this study possesses a high degree of poise against reducing conditions. This is shown by the failure of drastic treatments involving compaction and saturation to lower the potentials by large values. The positive poising capacity is attributed to large quantities of hydrated iron oxides present within the soil, coupled with the paucity of active organic matter.

¹ Excerpts from a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree to The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa. Presented before Div. II, Soil Science Society of America, Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1956. The supervision and assistance of F. G. Merkle throughout the investigation are gratefully acknowledged.

² Soil Scientist, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U. S. D. A., Ogden, Utah.

Received for publication December 31, 1956. Accepted for publication January 21, 1957.