Neutralizing Soil pH Levels

Overview

Objectives/Goals Our project displays a simulation of a common rainfall in the San Joaquin Valley. The objective is to determine what rate common soils (sandy, silt, clay, and topsoil) found in this area neutralize the effects of acid rain. By mixing lemon juice and water, we created the correct pH of acid rain (5.0). Through careful testing, we were able to conclude that clay soil, a highly alkaline soil, neutralized the outcomes of the acid rain at the fastest rate. In the end, we were able to infer that the initial amount of alkalinity in soil will be a good indicator of how it will hold up to the pH of acid rain. Methods/Materials Soil pH tester, 4 different soil types, acid rain mixture, water. Measured soils' pH over 5 days after adding acid rain mixture. Results Several different soil types were water with acid rain mixture. Soils of higher initial levels of alkalinity tended to have a higher rate of change for pH. Conclusions/Discussion Results from our project indicate that clay soil, a highly alkaline soil, will neutralize the effects of acid rain at a much faster rate than other common soils.

Competition history

• CSEF 2018 Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0902

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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