![Stevens Hydra Probe II Series Скачать руководство пользователя страница 36](http://html1.mh-extra.com/html/stevens/hydra-probe-ii-series/hydra-probe-ii-series_manual_1375858036.webp)
The outer portion of a soil particle at the molecular level is typically negatively charged.
Positively charged sodium ions will bind or “hook” onto the surface of the soil micro particle.
The opposite charges create an electronic attraction between the sodium ion and the soil. The
sodium ions compete for negatively charged sites on the soil particle surface and in doing so,
disperse the aggregates of soil. The aggregate dispersion of the soil caused by the sodium ions
will decrease the porosity of the soil. As porosity decreases, the water holding capacity of the
soil decreases. Not only are high levels of sodium ions toxic to the crops, it decreases the water
that would be available to the plants.
Ion exchange reactions are the basis behind the soil reclamation practices. Saline soil reclamation
includes the application of calcium rich material (such as lime or gypsum) onto the salt affected
land. After application of this material, the saline affected area should be irrigated (with low
saline water) to translocate the calcium down into the different horizons (layers) of soil. Once
calcium ions are introduced into the horizons of the soil, the ion exchange begins.
The calcium ion has a 2+ charge where the sodium ion has a 1+ charge. Because the calcium ion
has a greater electric charge, the soil will have a stronger affinity for the calcium ions than the
sodium ions. The sodium is then exchanged with calcium on the soil anionic sites.
Once the calcium becomes the dominant ion present, the porosity of the soil will increase. This
will be evident in the Hydra Probe soil moisture data. As the porosity increases the hydraulic
conductivity will increase. The user will notice trends in the wetting fronts such as higher soil
moisture values after irrigation, quick decreases to field capacity and shorter time intervals from
one probe to the next as the water percolates downward.
With calcium as the dominant ion present, irrigation continues, leaching the calcium out of the
soil. Calcium is less soluble than sodium, and will fall out of solution at some depth below the
root zone. The removal of the calcium will be apparent in the Hydra Probe data by the decrease
in electrical conductivity. The decrease in electrical conductivity will start at the Hydra Probe
that is the closest to the surface, as the calcium leaches downward. Once the electrical
conductivity below the root zone reaches an acceptable level, the soil can then be cultivated.
36