An alternative index to the exchangeable sodium percentage for an explanation of dispersion occurring in soils

Abstract

With the introduction of the cation ratio of soil stability (CROSS) to replace the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) on the basis of differential effects of K and Mg to Na and Ca, respectively, there is a requirement for a similar index involving these cations to replace the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). The exchangeable dispersive percentage (EDP) is derived and proposed to replace ESP. This paper uses two datasets, one where exchangeable K concentration is relatively high and exchangeable Na low, and a further dataset where Mg dominates the cation exchange capacity. EDP is validated against these datasets and further mathematical investigation of the contribution of Mg to dispersion is undertaken. Mineralogy appears to affect turbidity results at a given dispersive index, and an improved criterion for assessment of Mg effect on dispersivity is presented.