Cation Exchange Capacity

The ability or capacity of a soil colloid to “sorb” cations that can be exchanged with cations in solution

• Anion Exchange Capacity

• Base Saturation

• Cation Exchange Capacity

• Point of Zero Charge (PZC)

What is an Ion?

• A negatively charged molecule

• A positively charged molecule

• A charged molecule due to the loss or gain of electrons

• An extremely small soil particle

What is a cation?

• A positively charged ion

• A type of fertiliser used for plant growth

• A negatively charged ion

• A type of layer in a soil profile

Which of the following is a chemical property of soil?

• Earthworm activity

• soil texture

• water content

• cation exchange capacity

Which of the following is a cation?

• K-

• Al

• Cl-

• H+

• Mg

Cation exchange is best described as....

• The exchange of negative ions between soil and soil water

• The removal of positively charged ions from a soil

• The ability of a soil to attract, retain and release clay particles

• The ability of a soil to attract, release and retain cations

Which of the following has the lowest cation exchange capacity?

• Sandy loam

• Organic soil

• Loam

• Clay

The smallest and most chemically active particles in soil are

• sand and silt

• clay and humus

• clay and silt

• humus and sand

What is the first step a farmer should take if he wishes to improve his soils?

• Increase fertiliser application

• Increase the stocking rate

• Sell all farm stock and sow trees instead

• Do a soil test to see what nutrients are lacking in the soil

What is another name for an extremely small soil particle?

• cation

• Aggregate

• floccule

• colloid