Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods for Calcium Carbonate Determination

doi:10.4236/ojss.2012.23031

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Open Journal of Soil Science, 2012, 2, 263-268

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2012.23031 Published Online September 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojss)

263

Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods

for Calcium Carbonate Determination

Pakhshan M. Maulood, Akram O. Esmail*, Mohammed S. S. Dohuki, Dalshad A. Darwesh

Soil and Water Department, College of Agriculture, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Iraq.

Email: *[email protected]

Received May 17th, 2012; revised June 20th, 2012; accepted July 5th, 2012

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted during 2008-2009 ,which included calcium carbonate determination from 84 locations (40

soil samples from Erbil, 24 samples from Sulaimani and Kirkuk in addition to 20 samples from Duhok) using calimetric

and titration method. The results indicated to significance correlation coefficient between the studied methods or it

means that the results of both methods are similar.

Keywords: Calcium Carbonate; Calcimeter; Calcareous Soil

1. Introduction

Most soils of agricultural areas are calcareous and have

an alkaline reaction. pH of calcareous soils is mainly

controlled by the amount of calcium carbonate in the soil

profile and often is fluctuating between 7.5 to 8.2. Exis-

tence or absence of calcium carbonate has an important

effect on soil pH and therefore, controlling many chemi-

cal reactions in relation to nutrient availability for plants

and mobility of these elements in soil [1]. Carbonate is a

natural constituent of many soil in the world, most car-

bonate minerals found in Iraqi soils are calcite (CaCO3)

and represent 90% - 95% of total soil carbonates [2]. The

distribution and amount of carbonates influence soil fer-

tility. The increase of calcium carbonate in soil usually

leads to many problems related to fertilization and nutri-

ent availability. The extent and rate are affecting by the

amount of carbonates in the soil, the chemical and

physical nature of the carbonates (e.g., particle size and

mineralogy) [3,4] Carbonates exert a major effect on soil

chemical properties of calcareous soils, like nutrient

availability and phosphorus fixation due to chemical fix-

ation of 70% - 90% of applied phosphorus fertilizer to

the soil [5]. Soil survey staff [6] indicated to increase in

soil pH with increasing soil CaCO3 content. Some at-

tempts have been done to evaluate methods of carbonate

determination in arid and semiarid soils including cal-

careous soils [7-10]. A suitable, accurate method of de-

termining limestone is required whenever quantitative

measurements are sought, such as in soil fertility prob-

lems where limestone dissolution rates are to be deter-

mined, or where lime recommendation procedures take

into account residual limestone [11]. The aim of this

study is to compare between two methods of CaCO3 de-

termination (Acid neutralization method and calcimetric

method).

2. Materials and Methods

The studied soil samples were taken from 84 locations

(40 soil samples from Erbil, 24 samples from Sulaimani

and Kirkuk in addition to 20 samples from Duhok), dur-

ing 2008-2009 (Figures 1-3). Soils were air dried ground

and sieved through 2mm sieve. The equivalent calcium

carbonate (E-CaCO3) was determined using 0.5 M HCl

for dissolution of CaCO3 and determined between the

two titration of the excess acid by using 0.2M NaOH as

mentioned by [12]. The second method of E-CaCO3 de-

termination was using calcimeter method as mentioned

by [13]. The simple correlation coefficient n (r) was de-

termined between the two studied methods [14].

3. Results and Discussion

The soils CaCO3 content of the studied locations were

ranged from (20 - 365.3 g·Kg−1 soil) for the soils of Erbil,

Sulaimani and Duhok respectively (Tables 1-3). The

statistical analysis indicated that the correlation co- effi-

cient values (r) between the studied two methods for the

three locations (Erbil, Sulaimaniya and Duhok) were

(0.993**, 0.998** and 0.994**) respectively (Figures

4-6). It means there is a significance correlation be-

tween calcimetric and titrimetrc method, or it means the

results of both methods are similar and both methods

*Corresponding author.

Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods for Calcium Carbonate Determination

264

Table 1. Shows determination of calcimetric and titrimetric methods of calcium carbonate in soil t of Erbil governorate.

Sites No. Locations Calcimetric Method Titrimetric MethodSites No.Locations Calcimetric Method Titrimetric Method

1 Kalak 287 274 21

Halgort

Mountain 20 25

2 Guwer 298.1 297.5 22 Akoyan 227.3 223

3 Yarmcha 312.9 316 23 Rosty 37.3 35

4 Mala-Qara 253 263 24 Hasarot 209.3 199.5

5 Erbil 246.4 239.2 25 Choman 64.7 64

6 Qushtapa 276.3 289 26 Rayat 41 53.5

7 Derband 137 128.5 27 Azadi 209.3 191.8

8 Degala 175.2 188 28 Haji-Omran 152 195

9 Koysenjaq 141.6 153.5 29 Haji-Omran 93.1 91

10 Koysenjaq 239.7 225 30 Chame-Beaje211.1 202

11 Qarasenj 140.8 140 31 Khalan 216.6 202

12 Bastora 290.9 292.3 32 Mergasor 201.4 193

13 Shaqlawa 209.1 198 33 Malman 291.2 292.3

14 Mama-Jelka 67.1 72.5 34 Soran Village108.3 112

15 Harer 193 187.5 35 Ashkafta 112 122

16 Spelek 79.1 71.5 36 Rezan 53.3 51.5

17 Jundeyan 220.3 231 37 Barzan 361.4 362

18 Zar-Gali 219.9 205.5 38 Maran 18.6 16

19 Rawndouz 138.1 131.8 39 Peran 15 18.5

20 Soran 55.9 55 40 Mandan 161 171

Table 2. Shows determination of calcimetric and titrimetric methods of calcium carbonate in soils of Sulaymani and Kirkuk

governorate.

Sites No. Locations Calcimetric Method Titrimetric MethodSites No.Locations Calcimetric Method Titrimetric Method

1 Ranya 44.5 43.5 13 Serwan 89.4 81.5

2 Ranya 63.4 65 14 Halabja 108.1 101

3 Qalat Dizah 16.8 18.5 15 Khormal 83.9 88.5

4 Haybat Sultan 163.9 170 16 Bayara 37.8 40

5 Kani Watman 164 170 17 Balkha 49 55.5

6 Kelka smaqa 137.9 132.5 18 Tawela 22.4 28.5

7 Dukan 294.9 292.5 19 Altun Kupri 201.6 199.9

8 Basneh 66 59 20 Kirkuk 153 156

9 Qalat Cholan 65.2 70.5 21 Kirkuk 192.2 192.3

10 Sulaymaniyah 190.4 193 22 Chemano 317.73 313

11 Said Sadek 145.3 151 23 Qara Hanjer 309.9 311

12 Derbandikhan 253.3 252.3 24 Chamchamal 242.6 253

Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods for Calcium Carbonate Determination 265

Table 3. Shows determination of calcimetric and titrimetric methods of calcium carbonate in soils of Duhok governorate.

Sites No. Locations Calcimetric Method Titrimetric MethodSites No.Locations Calcimetric Method Titrimetric Method

1 Qandil bridge 258.2 251 11 Duhok 246.1 251

2 Gawelan 365.3 360 12 Zaweta 203.1 192.5

3 Aqrah 160.3 172.8 13 Mam-Yazden339.4 329.6

4 Gali-Zanta 323.4 325 14 Swaratuka 185.5 192

5 Lalesh mountain 114.2 101.8 15 Solaf 196 192

6 Atrush 248.8 242.5 16 Serseng 193.6 192.2

7 Atrush mountain 304.4 306 17 Serseng 226.2 221.8

8 Baadrae 242.1 242.3 18 Kani Chnarkae163.9 170

9 Gali-Derkae 315.8 320 19 Qadash 201.7 192.3

10 Duhok 247.3 251 20 Zakho 251.3 250

Turke

Iran

Duhok

Nineveh

Sulaimani

Dokan lake

Erbil city

sen

Mergasor

Shaqlaw

Choman

Makhmour

Rawndouz

Soran

Bensalawa

Turke

Kirkuk

Kalak

4 3

578

12 11 13

16 15 19

17 18

37 36

35 32

40 39 38

33 31 24 23

25 27

Figure 1. Shows: (A) Map of northern governorate of Iraq; (B) Erbil governorate, sampling sites.

Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods for Calcium Carbonate Determination

266

16 18

Iran

Figure 2. Shows: (A) Map of Iraq; (B) Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk governorates, sampling sites.

14 15

16 17

18 19

Figure 3. Shows: (A) Map of Iraq; (B) Duhok governorate, sampling sites.

Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods for Calcium Carbonate Determination 267

y = 0.981x + 3.059

r = 0.993

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0 50 100 150200 250300 350 400

CALCIMETRIC

TITRIMETRIC

Figure 4. The relationship between titrimetric and calcimetric methods of calcium carbonate determination in soil of Erbil

governorate.

y = 0.9945x + 1.2715

r = 0.998

100

150

200

250

300

350

100 150 200 250 300

350

CALCIMETRIC

TITRIMETRIC

Figure 5. The relationship between titrimetric and calcimetric methods of calcium carbonate determination in soils of Sulay-

mani and Kirkuk governorates.

y = 0.9945x -0.2126

r = 0.994

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

100

150 200 250 300 350

400

CALCIMETRIC

TITRI ME TR IC

Figure 6. The relationship between titrimetric and calcimetric methods of calcium carbonate determination in soils of Duhok

governorate.

Comparison between Calcimetric and Titrimetric Methods for Calcium Carbonate Determination

268

Table 4. A comparison of equivalent calcium carbonate determination by two methods in soil samples of Kurdistan Region

governorate, data represented as (mean ± SE).

Governorate Calcimetric Method Titrimetric Method Differences

Erbil 169.62 ± 14.78 169.47 ± 14.61 0.15

Sulaimaniya and Kirkuk 139.90 ± 18.22 140.40 ± 18.15 –0.50

Duhok 239.33 ± 14.61 237.79 ± 14.60 1.54

have the same scientific base. The differences shown in

(Table 4) between mean values of E-CaCO3 content of

soil samples measured by the two mentioned methods are

non significance. A little difference observed between

two methods for soil samples of Erbil, Sulaimaniya-

Kirkuk governorates that reached to 0.15 and −0.5 re-

spectively. While the differences was 1.54 unit for Du-

hok soil samples. Generally, soil samples for E-CaCO3

content were increased gradually from Sulaimaniya-

Kirkuk, to Erbil toward Duhok governorate.

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