Introduction for lab report Iron in Soil and Coal - Essay Example

Introduction for lab report "Iron in Soil and Coal" Iron in Soil and Coal For the soil to achieve good plant growth, theanalysis of the general soil condition is essential in order to treat the soils for optimum results. The soils contain various physical and chemical characteristics that should be identified. Some of them include the soil texture, stoniness, density, electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter and Iron pyrite content. Iron in the soil is a significant property that enhances healthy plant growth.

The iron in the soil appears in form of precipitate after the absorption of the leached components in situ. The iron oxides precipitates are formed while in situ from the leachate components because of the increased pH. Coal falls in the group of organic contaminants of soil. The iron concentration on in coal is limited compared to the iron in soil. As a result, the carbonaceous soils from coal mineral wastes provide an effective control for acidity in leachate. How Spectrophotometer Measures Iron in Soil and Coal Iron appears in different forms in the soil.

Its concentration in the soil can affect the drinking water due to the environmental concentrations in some parts of the world. This calls for the need for measuring the iron concentration in soil and coal. Various analytical methods are available for arsenic measurement in various environmental samples. Some of them include neuron activation, hydride generation atomic absorption and the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Most of these approaches require expensive equipment to measure the iron concentration in soil.

However, the Spectrophotometer is effective equipment in measuring the iron in coal and soil. The sample is placed in a hydrochloric acid solution followed by a measurement of Spectrophotometer using silver diethyldithiocarbamate which is the reagent that forms colour. From the colour outcome, the concentration of iron in the coal or soil is determined (Paolo Desogus 8649–8662). Works Cited "Utilization of the chemically stabilized arsenic-contaminated soil in a landfill cover." Environmental Science Pollution Research International20(12) (2013): 8649–8662.