Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: October 10, 1996
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract: Important concepts and necessary equations are presented for application of thermodynamics to soil solution chemistry. Concepts of the soil solution, soil solution equilibria, standard states and concentration scales are reviewed. The chapter emphasizes the calculation of activities of ions in solution and determination of the saturation status of the solution phase with respect to selected solid phases. Various activity coefficient models are presented and the results from these models are shown to be significantly different. Details are presented for accurate calculation of osmotic pressure of saline solutions. Discussion and examples are given for use of solid solution concepts in mineral phase stability under earth surface conditions. A generalized discussion of the thermodynamics of ion exchange and adsorption is also included.