Cation Exchange Capacity (Sodium Acetate)

Reference Method:
USEPA SW-846 Method 9081

Method Description:
The soil sample is mixed with an excess of sodium acetate solution, resulting in an exchange of the added sodium cations for the matrix cations. Subsequently the sample is washed with isopropyl alcohol. An ammonium acetate solution is then added, which replaces the adsorbed sodium with ammonium. The concentration of displaced sodium is then determined by ICP-MS.

Sample Required:
min 10g soil

Container:
60ml clear glass

Method Detection Limit and Result Presentation:
Method Detection Limit (MDL) for sodium in soils by ICP-MS is 200mg/Kg.
Cation exchange capacity results will be presented as cmol+/Kg.