Extractability of sodium ions from soil

In this study, soil samples from two selected locations: “A” (alluvial soil) and “B” (clay loam) were analyzed. Chemical analysis of soil samples included determination of soil pH and soil suspension conductivity. Two different extraction methods were applied: shaking and ultrasound method for extraction of sodium ions from soil with three solvents (aqua regia, 5% CH3COOH and distilled water). The values of pseudo-total (extracted with aqua regia) and bioavailable Na content (extracted with 5% CH3COOH and distilled water) in the soil sample “A” were in the range of 46.35-66.55 mg Na/kg; 14.77-18.59 mg Na/kg and 12.58-15.20 mg Na/kg of soil, respectively, by applying shaking method. By the same method, in the case of soil sample “B” the ranges were 17.15-75.66 mg Na/kg; 20.87-32.80 mg Na/kg and 4.62-20.33 mg Na/kg of soil, for the extraction by aqua regia, 5% CH3COOH and distilled water, respectively. Ultrasonic extraction in all cases gained higher results compared to the shaking method. In general, the application of ultrasound shows a positive effect on the extractability of Na+ ions from soil samples.