Question

Which of the following best describes the differences between the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation of a soil?

1) CEC measures the total amount of exchangeable cations in the soil, while base saturation measures the proportion of exchange sites occupied by base cations.
2) CEC measures the proportion of exchange sites occupied by base cations, while base saturation measures the total amount of exchangeable cations in the soil.
3) CEC measures the total amount of exchangeable cations in the soil, while base saturation measures the total amount of exchangeable anions in the soil.
4) CEC measures the proportion of exchange sites occupied by base cations, while base saturation measures the proportion of exchange sites occupied by anions.

Answer 1

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) measures the total amount of exchangeable cations in the soil, while base saturation measures the proportion of exchange sites occupied by base cations.

Step-by-step explanation:

CEC measures the total amount of exchangeable cations in the soil, while base saturation measures the proportion of exchange sites occupied by base cations. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) refers to the ability of a soil to retain and release cations through its negatively charged surfaces. It measures the total capacity of the soil to hold cations. Base saturation, on the other hand, represents the percentage of total cation exchange sites that are occupied by base cations such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. For example, if a soil has a CEC of 20 meq/100g and a base saturation of 60%, it means 60% of the exchange sites are occupied by base cations.