IN SITU MEASUREMENT OF DISSOLVED MATERIALS AS AN INDICATOR OF ORGANIC TERRAIN TYPE

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
• Main Authors: WALMSLEY, M. E., LAVKULICH, L. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1973
• Subjects: Soil Science; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss73-034; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss73-034

Portable equipment has been used to measure selected environmental parameters in situ. A battery-operated potentiometer used in conjunction with several specific ion electrodes, a platinum redox electrode, and a combination pH electrode were used to obtain ion activity, pH, and E h measurements of natural systems. In addition, dissolved oxygen concentration was measured using an oxygen electrode and battery-operated meter. Results from the analysis of several streams are presented to illustrate the application of the technique to field measurements of streams as an indicator of environmental disturbance. Information collected also allowed for the differentiation of different types of organic terrain based on the dissolved load of the saturated organic materials. The terrain type referred to as fen had a higher activity of Na, Cl, and Ca, a higher pH value, and a lower concentration of oxygen than the bog terrain type. These results are explained with reference to organic terrain morphology and the distribution of permafrost in the study area.