Open AccessComparative study of the methods for the determination of organic carbon and organic matter in soils, compost and sludge
Author(s) -
V. Angelova,
Vanja I. Akova,
K. Ivanov
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
izvestiâ po himiâ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0324-1130
DOI - 10.34049/bcc.51.3.4957
Subject(s) - organic matter , total organic carbon , compost , soil water , environmental chemistry , soil organic matter , carbon fibers , chemistry , environmental science , waste management , materials science , soil science , organic chemistry , composite number , engineering , composite material
The aim of this study was to compare the most commonly used methods for the determination of organic carbon (OC) and organic matter (SOM), and evaluate the capability of LOI (loss on ignition method) to estimate OC, using reference soils, compost and sludge as standards. The use of a titrimetric endpoint (adding phosphoric acid prior to titration) is more suitable for assessing the level of organic carbon in soils with low, medium, high and very high content. The use of a photometric endpoint is more appropriate for samples of medium and high carbon content. LOI 400 and LOI 450 may also be used for the determination of samples with a high organic content whereas LOI 450 - in the determination of samples with an average organic content. LOI 450 can be used to evaluate SOC in a wide range of organic matter concentrations (3-55%). Indirect assessment of the organic carbon content or organic matter using a correction coefficient is not very accurate for samples with average organic carbon content.Keywords: methods, organic carbon, organic matter, certified samples