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A Technique for Rapid Removal of Gypsum from Soil Samples
Author(s) -
Rivers E. D.,
Hallmark C. T.,
West L. T.,
Drees L. R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600060044x
Subject(s) - gypsum , soil water , mineralogy , cation exchange capacity , soil science , geology , soil test , environmental science , paleontology
Removal of gypsum from soil samples is necessary to disperse soils for particle‐size analysis or clay separation for mineralogical study. A technique utilizing the heating of gypsiferous soil overnight at 105°C is presented. The heat treatment converts gypsum to bassanite which is more soluble than the gypsum and the disruption of the gypsum upon dehydration also yields bassanite particles which can easily be crushed to provide a greater surface area. Subsequently, the time required to remove gypsum from soil by dialysis is reduced by >50%. Heating the samples did not change the clay mineralogy or the cation exchange capacity, but did result in slightly higher total and fine clays and slightly lower sand contents.