This book deals with the principles and practices of electrochemical methods as applied to soil and water research, particularly those that can be carried out in the field. Beginning with the basis of potentiometric methods, including electrode potential, principles of potentiometric methods, reference electrodes, liquid-junction potential and characteristics of ion-selective electrodes, the author then proceeds to describe the properties and applications of various types of potentiometric electrodes, including glass, solid-state membrane, liquid-state membrane, oxidation-reduction and gas sensors. A special chapter devoted to commonly encountered problems will aid readers not familiar with potentiometric methods. Voltammetric methods, conductometric methods and electrochemical instruments are also discussed.

Electrochemical methods are characteristically simple and rapid in operation. In particular, many of them can be carried out in the field. Their application in soil and water research has helped to open up a number of new research fields and there is still great potential. This book was written by the staff of the Institute of Soil Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the leading institution in soil electrochemistry in the world, based on their experience from the last three decades. Dealing with the principles and practices of these methods, it begins with the basis of potentiometric methods, including electrode potential, principles of potentiometric methods, reference electrodes, liquid-junction potential and characteristics of ion-selective electrodes. Then the principles, fabrication, properties and applications of various types of potentiometric electrodes, including glass, solid-state membrane, liquid-state membrane, oxidation-reduction and gas sensors are described. In order to aid readers not familiar with the methods, a special chapter is devoted to common problems in potentiometric measurements. In the last three chapters conductometric methods, voltammetric methods and electrochemical instruments are discussed. The book may be used as a valuable reference for soil and water scientists as well as for scientists of related fields, such as environmental, earth and biological sciences.

The best single reference for both the theory and practice of soil physical measurements, Methods, Part 4 adopts a more hierarchical approach to allow readers to easily find their specific topic or measurement of interest. As such it is divided into eight main chapters on soil sampling and statistics, the solid, solution, and gas phases, soil heat, solute transport, multi-fluid flow, and erosion. More than 100 world experts contribute detailed sections.

Approx.372 pagesApprox.372 pages

This book, based on research carried out at the Academia Sinica over the past 30 years, explains the basic difference between the variable charge soils of tropical and subtropical regions, and the constant charge soils of temperate regions. It will focus on the chemical properties of the variable charge soils--properties which have important bearing on soil management practices, including maximizing soil productivity and combating soil pollution.