Sustainability

Earth

Soil

The problem of acid soil

Usually soil acidity is due to the presence of high quantities of hydrogen and aluminium. Although some acid soil derives directly from acid rocks, most of them are formed in areas with lots of rainfalls or farmed areas. In fact, acidification speed depends on the speed by which the majority of nutritional elements leave the soil (because of rain, or after being assimilated by crops, during harvest), leaving room to those elements that provide acidity. On acid soil it is very difficult for plants to grow, although the different species have a different sensitivity: some species are tolerant while others require a high soil acidity in order to grow and produce.
Is it possible to eliminate this type of pollution?
Reclamation of acid soil occurs by applying calcium and magnesium compounds, like lime (calcium carbonate).