Soil sampling and tests

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There are hundreds of soil tests that can be conducted, both in the field or laboratory. This page provides an overview of more common soil tests, links to information on sampling, and links to test methods.

Information: Soil sampling should be conducted by trained and, where appropriate, certified professionals, such as licensed soil scientists and geoscientists

Information: Laboratory tests should be done by certified laboratories. The Minnesota Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program develops procedures and requirements to ensure accredited laboratories produce accurate and precise test results. Search for an accredited lab.

Laboratory tests

Below is a list of recommended laboratory tests

Nutrients

Soil macronutrients include phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium.

• Phosphorus
  • Bray Method: use on acidic and neutral soils
  • Olsen Method: preferred on high pH soils
  • Mehlich-3 Method: provides a better indicator of plant-available phosphorus
• Nitrogen
  • Soil Nitrate And Extractable Ammonium By Flow Injection Analyzer Method (cadmium reduction method)
  • Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (wet oxidation method)
  • Total Nitrogen And Carbon - Combustion Method (Dumas Method)]

Sample collection

Soil sample collection methods vary and covering all acceptable methods is beyond the scope of this page. Below are links to sampling methods.

Sampling for chemical tests

Note that these references provide information on soil sample collection. Except where noted, they do not include field procedures associated with specific tests and most do not include information on quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). Use professional, certified/licensed individuals or firms to ensure appropriate QA/QC procedures are followed.

• US EPA - focus on VOCs and PFAS
• Testing Your Soil Why and How to Take a Soil-Test Sample - University of Hawaii
• Sampling Soils for Nutrient Management - USDA-NRCS; focus on phosphorus
• Procedure for taking soil samples - Stephen F. Austin State University
• Guidelines for Soil Sampling - USDA-NRCS
• Soil Sampling Guidelines - Purdue University
• Composite Soil Sampling - MCSE - Kellogg Biological Station
• Soil sample collection and analysis procedures - MPCA Petroleum Remediation Program
• Quality Assurance Project Plan Midland Area Soil Sampling, Midland Michigan
• Soil Sampling Quality Assurance User's Guide - US EPA