pH and Conductivity

pH Meter

The pH of a soil is a measurement of hydrogen ion concentration and indicates how acidic or alkaline a sample is. Soil pH is measured using an electronic instrument called a pH meter which is connected to a pH probe. Soil samples are mixed with water and the pH probe is inserted into the mixture. The concentration of hydrogen ions present in the sample is detected by the pH probe and converted to an electronic signal that is sent to the pH meter. The pH meter displays the pH of the solution as a number from 0 to 14, with numbers near 7 indicating pH neutral, numbers below 7 indicating acidic, and numbers above 7 indicating alkaline. Soil pH can greatly affect the biology in the soil, so a pH meter is an important piece of field equipment for Antarctic soil research.

Conductivity Meter

The conductivity indicates the ability of a sample to conduct electricity, which is largely dependent on how much salt is in a sample. Soil conductivity is measured using an electronic instrument called a conductivity meter which is connected to a conductivity probe. Soil samples are mixed with water and the conductivity probe is inserted into the mixture. The ability of the solution to carry an electrical charge is detected between electrodes in the probe and the conductivity value is displayed on the conductivity meter. Soil salt content can greatly affect the biology in the soil, so a conductivity meter is a very valuable piece of field equipment for Antarctic soil research.