United States National Environmental

Environmental Protection Research Laboratory

Agency Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478

E AP Project Summary

Research and Development EPA/600/SR-95/077 July 1995

The principal objective of this methods manual is to present methods for

the analysis of soil and plant tissue

samples taken as part of a long-term

environmental study to evaluate the effects of acid rain on terrestrial systems. Through the use of these standardized methods, it is anticipated that

improved data comparability for longterm environmental monitoring programs dealing with acidic precipitation

may be achieved. The document contains detailed analytical protocols for

the determination of 15 soil and 3 plant

tissue parameters with some protocols

being applicable to multiple parameters

(i.e., the exchangeable cations protocol can be used to quantify Ca, Mg, K,

and Na contents in soil). Each chapter

contains a brief introduction; review of

available methods; selected reference

method; summary of the reference

method; listing of method interferences

and shortcomings; method health and

safety concerns; apparatus and equipment list; reagents and consumables

list; calibration and standardization procedures; detailed step-by-step procedure; quality control procedures; suggested run format; formulae for the calculation and reporting of the results;

and references.

This Project Summary was developed

by EPA’s National Environmental Research Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV, to

announce key findings of the research

project that is fully documented in a

separate report of the same title (see

Project Report ordering information at

back).

The success of long-term environmental monitoring studies, such as those

designed to measure the effects of the

long range transport of atmospheric pollutants (e.g., acid rain), will depend on

Laboratory Methods for Soil and

Foliar Analysis in Long-Term

Environmental Monitoring

Programs

the type of data collected and the comparability of the data over the course of

the monitoring period. Data comparability

will depend on collection and analysis procedures as well as the natural spatial and

temporal variability of the soil and vegetation. In an effort to ensure/improve data

comparability in long-term environmental

monitoring programs dealing with acidic

precipitation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, Forestry Canada, and the Ministry of the Environment - Ontario have put together a

methods manual for use in Canada and

the United States. The objective of this

document is to present methods for the

analysis of soil and plant tissue samples

taken as part of a long-term environmental study to evaluate the effects of acid

rain on terrestrial systems.

This methods manual has been prepared for the analysis of soil and foliar

plant tissue. Detailed analytical procedures

are provided for the following plant tissue

parameters:

• Total Nitrogen

• Total Sulphur

• Total P, Mn, Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, and K

In addition, detailed analytical procedures are provided for the following soil

parameters:

Particle-Size Analysis

Soil pH

Organic Carbon

Total Carbon

Total Nitrogen

Extractable Phosphorus

Cation Exchange Capacity

Exchangeable Cations

Amorphous Iron and Aluminum Oxides

Organic Iron and Aluminum
2

• •

Iron and Aluminum Oxides

Phosphate Extractable Sulphate

Ammonium Chloride Extractable

Sulphate

Water Extractable Sulphate

Total Sulphur

A brief introduction and chapter on Good

Laboratory Practices are also included in

the methods manual.

Each chapter, excluding the introduction and good laboratory practices chapter, provides the user with the following:

• brief introduction to the parameter of

interest,

• review of available methods for determination of the parameter of interest,

• reference method for use,

• summary of the reference method,

• listing of method interferences and

shortcomings, where applicable,

• method health and safety concerns,

• apparatus and equipment list,

• reagents and consumables list,

• calibration and standardization procedures, where applicable,

• detailed step-by-step procedure,

• quality control (QC) procedures,

• suggested run format showing one

possible arrangement of routine and

QC samples in a batch,

• formulae for the calculation and reporting of the results, and

• listing of the appropriate references.

The QC procedure section presents information on the determination of precision, accuracy, method blank usage, quality control preparation samples, and quality control check samples.

The U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, through its Office of Research

and Development, in conjunction with Environment Canada, the Ministry of the Environment—Ontario, and the Canadian

Department of Natural Resources—Great

Lakes Forestry Centre, Northern Forestry

Centre, and Pacific Forestry Centre have

prepared and funded the full report. It has

been peer reviewed by the Agency and

approved as an EPA publication. Mention

of trade names or commercial products

does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Brian A. Schumacher and Craig J. Palmer are the EPA Project Officers (see

below).

The complete report, entitled “Laboratory Methods for Soil and Foliar Analysis in

Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Programs,” (Order No. PB95-231007;

Cost: $27.00, subject to change) will be available only from

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Telephone: 703-487-4650

The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at

National Environmental Research Laboratory

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478

United States

Environmental Protection Agency

National Risk Management

Research Laboratory (G-72)

Cincinnati, OH 45268

BULK RATE

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

EPA

PERMIT No. G-35

EPA/600/SR-95/077

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300