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Effects of Salts on Oxygen Diffusion Rate Measurements in Unsaturated Soils¹

ABSTRACT

Current-voltage curves determined with tips of platinum electrodes touching a solution surface were used to evaluate the effect of solution electrical conductivity and specific ions on measurements of oxygen diffusion rates in unsaturated soil. Current was found to be dependent upon electrical conductivity in pure monovalent cation solutions. In divalent cation solutions, or mixed monovalent-divalent cation solutions, current was only slightly affected by electrical conductivity of the solution. The presence of divalent cations caused a lower measured current with identical solution-electrode geometry and measured electrode potential than when only monovalent ions were in solution. Based upon the assumption that these determinations reflect at least the magnitude of such phenomena that occur in soils, conditions are described under which the platinum electrode should operate most satisfactorily or have a minimum interference from salt.

¹ Contribution from the Soil & Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA; in cooperation with the Nevada Agr. Exp. Sta. Approved by University of Nevada as Journal Series no. 81.

² Research Soil Scientist, USDA, ARS, Soil & Water Conserv. Res. Div., formerly University of Nevada, Agr. Exp. Sta., Reno, Nevada; presently Snake River Conservation Research Center, Kimberly, Idaho.

Received for publication March 15, 1968. Accepted for publication March 15, 1968.