Soil analysis includes some or all of the following steps, which correspond to the numbered steps and graphics above. Soil Testing Virtual Tour Stations Samples and their accompanying information sheets arrive at the receiving area. Samples are placed in a dryer to remove excess moisture before processing. The soil is ground to pulverize and blend, then sieved to remove foreign matter. A standard volume of soil is measured out for each analysis.
Humic matter is extracted and then diluted.
The computer records the colorimeter reading from which percent humic matter is calculated. During the extraction procedure, samples are placed in a mechanical shaker. Following extraction, the leachate containing nutrients is separated from the soil by filtration. Nutrient content of the leachate is measured by an emission spectrometer. The weight per volume is measured for each sample.