SOP Walkley Black

Standard operating procedure for
soil organic carbon
Walkley-Black method
Titration and colorimetric method
Global Soil Laboratory Network
GLOSOLAN-SOP-02
GLOSOLAN
SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 1 of 25

WALKLEY-BLACK METHOD: Effective date : October 28, 2019
Titration and Colorimetric Method
SOIL ORGANIC CARBON

WALKLEY-BLACK METHOD
VERSION HISTORY
N° Date Description of the modification Type of modification
01 30 July 2019 Finalization of the draft version Compilation of all inputs

received by RESOLANs
02 28 October Final review of the SOP at the Revision of steps in the SOP,
2019 3rd GLOSOLAN meeting final discussion and agreement
03
04
Modify by Revision Approval date Validated date

GLOSOLAN 3rd GLOSOLAN 3rd GLOSOLAN 27 October 2019
SOP Tech. W.G. meeting meeting
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Contents
1. Brief introduction to soil organic carbon (SOC) ............................................................. 3

2. Scope and field of application .......................................................................................... 4
3. Principle ............................................................................................................................. 5
4. Apparatus .......................................................................................................................... 6
4.1. For Titration Method ................................................................................................. 6
4.2. For Colorimetric Method ........................................................................................... 7
5. Materials ............................................................................................................................ 8
5.1. For Titration Method ................................................................................................. 8
5.2. For Colorimetric Method ........................................................................................... 9
6. Health and safety............................................................................................................. 10
6.1. Personnel safety ....................................................................................................... 10
6.2. Chemical hazard ....................................................................................................... 10
7. Sample preparation ........................................................................................................ 10
8. Procedure ........................................................................................................................ 11
8.1. Titration Method ...................................................................................................... 11
8.2. Colorimetric Method ................................................................................................ 13
9. Calculation ....................................................................................................................... 15
9.1. Titration Method ...................................................................................................... 15
9.2. Colorimetric Method ................................................................................................ 16
10. Quality assurance/Quality control .................................................................................. 17
10.1. Accuracy Test ......................................................................................................... 17
10.2. Precision Test ......................................................................................................... 17
10.3. Control Chart .......................................................................................................... 18
11. Reference documents ...................................................................................................... 19
12. Appendix I. Acknowledgements ................................................................................... 21
13. Appendix II. List of Authors .......................................................................................... 21
14. Appendix III. Contributing laboratories ......................................................................... 22

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1. Brief introduction to soil organic carbon (SOC)

Soil carbon is probably the most important component in soils as it affects almost all soil properties.
Carbon, as soil organic matter, alters the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Soil
organic matter refers to all decomposed, partly decomposed and undecomposed organic materials
of plant and animal origin. It is generally synonymous with humus although the latter is more
commonly used when referring to the well decomposed organic matter called humic substances. Soil
organic matter is a primary indicator of soil quality. Improvements in soil organic matter create a more
favourable soil environment, leading to increases in plant growth. Higher soil organic matter levels
cause the soil to retain more water that results in better crop yields, reduces soil erosion, increases
plant nutrient retention and increases biological diversity. Moreover, improved aggregation of soil
particles results in better soil structure, allowing for movement of air and water through the soil, as
well as better root growth. More stable soil structure results in less soil erosion, which retains nutrients
on the land and protects water quality.
Soil organic carbon contributes to the cation exchange capacity of a soil. These cation exchange sites
are important for retention of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Soil organic
carbon often also provides binding sites for many anthropogenic organo chemicals, thus minimizing
leaching of hazardous chemicals through the soil profile or making them less bioavailable, which
reduces toxicity.
Increased soil organic carbon enhances the biomass and diversity of the soil biota. Since the soil
microbial community drives many of the nutrient transformations in soil, plant nutrient availability is
often enhanced with the increase in microbial biomass and microbial activity of the soil.
In soil classification, the content of organic carbon of mineral horizons can be estimated from the
Munsell colour of a dry and/or moist soil, taking the textural class into account. This estimation is
based on the assumption that the soil colour (Munsell value) is due to a mixture of dark coloured
organic substances and light coloured minerals. This estimate does not work well in strongly coloured
subsoils. It tends to overestimate organic carbon content in soils of dry regions, and to underestimate

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the organic carbon content in some tropical soils. Therefore, the inferred organic carbon status of a
soil should always be locally checked as it is only a rough estimate.
Note for soil classification purposes: (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006)
*¸Organic carbon content of ≥ 0.6 percent → mollic and umbric horizon.

*¸Organic carbon content of ≥ 1.5 percent → voronic horizon.
(Note: the ratio of organic carbon to organic matter is about 1:1.7– 2.0)
In all these situations, it is important to have high quality organic carbon data (i.e. with low
uncertainties). Luckily, the methods to measure organic carbon are rather easy to run but a special
effort should be made by soil analysis laboratories to provide the best possible quality data. This will
allow monitoring of changes in SOC at both local and regional scales and also give a better idea of
the future scenarios, not only for SOC content but also for atmospheric CO2 evolution.
2. Scope and field of application

This protocol applies to the determination of the Oxidizable Organic Carbon content in soil. Organic
carbon content is calculated from the amount of chromic ion (Cr3+) formed, using a titration or
colorimetric method, the presence of chloride (>0.5% Cl-) will produce a positive interference in saline
soils. The bias resulting from the presence of chloride can be corrected if required (Rayment and Lyons,
2011). This method is described in Nelson and Sommers (1996) and the test method described here
does not routinely apply correction for chloride.

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3. Principle
The determination of soil organic carbon is based on the Walkley & Black chromic acid wet oxidation
method. Oxidizable organic carbon in the soil is oxidised by 0.167 M potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)
solution in concentrated sulfuric acid. The heat of reaction raises the temperature which is sufficient
to induce substantial oxidation.
Chemical reaction is as follows:
2 Cr2O72- + 3 C0 + 16 H+ 4 Cr3+ + 3 CO2 + 8 H2O
The Cr2O72- reduced during the reaction with soil is proportional to the oxidisable organic C present
in the sample. The organic carbon can then be estimated by measuring the remaining unreduced
dichromate by back-titrating with ferrous sulphate or ammonium ferrous sulphate using
diphenylamine or o-phenanthroline-ferrous complex as an indicator.
6 Fe2+ + Cr2O72- + 14 H+ 2 Cr3+ + 6 Fe3+ + 7 H2O
Alternately the organic carbon can be calculated from the amount of chromic ion (Cr 3+) formed,
using a colorimetric procedure measuring absorbance at 588 nm (after Sims and Haby 1971). An
advantage of this procedure over the titrimetric method is that accurate standardisation of the
Cr2O72- solution is not required.
Points to be noted:
1. Recoveries of the total Soil Organic Carbon by this method can typically be between 75 –
90 % in surface soils and will vary with soil type and depth. Walkley & Black found that on
the average about 77% of the organic C was recovered by the heat of dilution procedure,
and they proposed that a correction factor of 1.3 be used to account for unrecovered
organic C;
2. This method is subject to interferences by certain soil constituents that lead to false results
with some soils. Chloride, ferrous iron and higher oxides of Mn have been shown to

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undergo oxidation-reduction reactions in chromic acid mixtures leading to incorrect values

for organic C. The presence of significant amounts of Fe 2+ or Cl- in soil will lead to a positive
error, whereas reactive MnO2 in soil samples will result in a negative error and low values
for organic C. The addition of H3PO4 after the sample has cooled helps eliminate
interferences from the ferric (Fe3+) ion that may be present in the sample. Chloride
interference can be eliminated by washing the soil free of Cl -1 before analysis or
precipitating the Cl-1 as AgCl by addition of Ag2SO4 to the digestion acid;
3. For soils that are very high in organic carbon content, the Walkley & Black method may
result in low test results, due to the incomplete oxidation of the organic carbon in the
sample. Smaller sample weights should be used for samples with very high carbon content;
4. This method is for the determination of organic carbon in soils. It is not applicable to soils
containing significant amounts of carbonized materials.
4. Apparatus
4.1. For Titration Method
4.1.1. Analytical balance, with an appreciation of 0.0001 g for the preparation of

reagents
4.1.2. Precision balance, with an appreciation dependent on the weight of the sample
(Table 1).
4.1.3. Burette 50 mL, with an appreciation of ± 0.02 mL for the titrant solution
4.1.4. Volumetric burette/ dispenser of 10.00 mL ± 0.01 mL, of known uncertainty,
to be used with the potassium dichromate solution
4.1.5. Volumetric dispenser, adjusted to 20.0 mL, to be used with concentrated
sulfuric acid
4.1.6. Erlenmeyer flasks, 500 mL
4.1.7. Magnetic stirrer and bar

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4.1.8. Oven able to reach a temperature of 105ºC

4.1.9. Volumetric flasks; 1000 mL
4.1.10. Glass rod
4.1.11. Beaker; 100 mL, 250 mL
4.1.12. Fumehood – extraction/ventilation
4.1.13. Burette and stand
4.2. For Colorimetric Method
4.2.1. Analytical balance, with an appreciation of 0.0001 g for the preparation of

reagents
4.2.2. Spectrophotometer suitable for measuring absorbance at 600 nm wavelength
4.2.3. Centrifuge tubes (can withstand ≥ 130°C of heat) or glass conical tubes, about
50-75 mL capacity
4.2.4. Dispensing or volumetric pipettes, 1mL, 5 mL
4.2.5. Graduated pipettes; 1mL, 2 mL
4.2.6. Calibrated dispenser; 2 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL
4.2.7. Glass rod
4.2.8. Volumetric flasks; 100 mL, 500 mL
4.2.9. Beaker; 100 mL, 250 mL

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5. Materials
5.1. For Titration Method
5.1.1. Deionized water/distilled water, it should have an EC < 1.5*10-3 dS m-1
5.1.2. Potassium Dichromate Standard, 0.167 M (1.0 N)

Dissolve 49.04 g of traceable or equivalent analytical grade K2Cr2O7 (previously
dried at 105°C for 2 hours and cooled in a desiccator to room temperature) in
deionized/distilled water, and dilute the solution to a volume of 1000 mL.
5.1.3. Sulfuric Acid, Concentrated (not less than 96%) - For Titration and
Colorimetric Method
If Cl- is present in soil, add Ag2SO4 to the acid at the rate of 15 g per liter.
5.1.4. Phosphoric Acid, 85% (If Diphenylamine indicator is used)

The phosphoric acid is added to form a complex with the interfering iron (III),
providing a sharper color change of the indicator.
5.1.5. Indicator (either 5.1.5.1 or 5.1.5.2 can be chosen)
5.1.5.1. o-Phenanthroline - Ferrous Complex, 0.025 M
Dissolve 1.485 g of o-phenanthroline monohydrate (analytical grade)

and 0.695 g of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4∙7H2O) (analytical
grade) in deionized/distilled water. Dilute the solution to a volume of 100
mL.
The o-phenanthroline-ferrous complex is also available under the name

of Ferroin from the G. Frederick Smith Chemical Co. (Columbus, Ohio).
5.1.5.2 Barium diphenylamine sulfonate Indicator, 0.16% aqueous

solution

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5.1.6. Titrant (either 5.1.6.1 or 5.1.6.2 can be chosen)
5.1.6.1 Ferrous Sulphate (FeSO4) solution, 0.5 M

Dissolve 140 g of analytical grade FeSO4∙7H2O in deionized/distilled
water, add 15 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid, cool the solution, and
dilute it to a volume of 1000 mL with deionized/distilled water.
Standardize this reagent daily by titrating it against 10 mL of 0.167 M (1
N) potassium dichromate.
5.1.6.2 Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate, 0.5 M

Dissolve 196 g of analytical grade (NH4)2 Fe(SO4)2.6H2O in 700 mL of
distilled water, add 20 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid, cool the solution,
and dilute it to a volume of 1000 mL with distilled water. Standardize this
reagent daily by titrating it against 10 mL of 0.167 M potassium
dichromate.
Note: The Fe2+ in both solutions oxidizes slowly on exposure to air so it must be
standardized against the dichromate daily. Prepare a new solution every 30 days.
5.2. For Colorimetric Method
5.2.1. Deionized water/distilled water, it should have an EC < 1.5*10-3 dS m-1
5.2.2. Potassium Dichromate, 10% (0.34 M)

Dissolve 50.0 g of traceable or equivalent analytical grade K2Cr2O7 in 500 mL
deionized/distilled water.
5.5.3 Sucrose Standard, 4 mg C/mL

Weigh 0.95 g sucrose (dried at 105oC for two hours) and dissolve in 100 mL
deionized/distilled wáter.

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6. Health and safety

This procedure involves the use of hazardous chemicals. Refer to laboratory safety
guidelines or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) before proceeding.
6.1. Personnel safety
Safety glasses, gloves and lab coats must be worn when handling any chemicals.
6.2. Chemical hazard
1. Potassium dichromate is an inorganic compound that emits toxic chromium fumes upon
heating. Potassium dichromate is highly corrosive and is a strong oxidizing agent. This
substance is a known human carcinogen and is associated with an increased risk of
developing lung cancer.
2. Sulfuric acid: Keep away from naked flames/heat. Measure the concentration in the air
regularly. Carry out operations in a fumehood with exhaust/ventilation. Do not discharge the
waste into the drain. Never dilute by pouring water into the acid. Always add the acid
to the water.
3. Hygiene: Wash hands and clean other exposed areas with mild soap and water after using
all chemical reagents
4. All titrations and handling of chemicals to be undertaken in a fume hood.
7. Sample preparation
Air dry soil sample and sieve to ≤ 2.0 mm size.

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8. Procedure
8.1. Titration Method
8.1.1. Weigh 1.0 g of air dried soil (adjust if necessary, see guideline recommended from
Table 1) into a 500 mL erlenmeyer flask.
8.1.2. Add 10 mL of 0.167 M K2Cr2O7 and swirl the flask gently to disperse the soil in the
solution.
8.1.3. Then with care, rapidly add 20 mL concentrated H2SO4, directing the stream into
the suspension.
8.1.4. Immediately swirl the flask gently until soil and reagents are mixed, then more
vigorously for a total of 1 min.
8.1.5. To minimize heat loss, allow the flask to stand on an insulated sheet for 30 min in
a fume hood.
8.1.6. Add 200 mL of water to the flask
Remark: Filter the suspension using an acid resistant filter paper (e.g. Whatman
No. 540), if experience shows that the end point of the titration cannot
otherwise be clearly discerned.
8.1.7. Add 10 mL of 85% H3PO4.(if barium diphenylamine sulfonate indicator is used)

8.1.8. Add three to four drops of o-phenanthroline indicator or barium diphenylamine
sulfonate indicator and titrate the solution with 0.5 M FeSO4 solution or 0.5 M
(NH4)2 Fe(SO4)2.6H2O
8.1.9. As the end point is approached,
8.1.9.1. "Ferroin" Titration, when using the o-phenanthroline indicator, the

solution takes on a greenish cast and then changes to a dark green. At
this point, add the ferrous sulfate heptahydrate drop by drop until the

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color changes sharply from blue to red (maroon color in reflected light
against a white background).
8.1.9.2. “Diphenylamine” Titration, when using the diphenylamine indicator,

near the end-point the color changes to deep violet-blue; slow down the
titration by adding the ammonium ferrous sulphate dropwise. At the end-
point the color changes sharply to brilliant green.
Determine 1-3 blanks in the same manner, but without soil, to standardize the
K2Cr2O7.
8.1.10 Compute for the %OC with the computation given at section 9.1 and report as
oven-dry basis with two (2) decimal places.
Table 1. Recommended weight of sample for analysis
Weight, g OC, % Color
0.1 >2 black, dark gray, dark brown
0.25 ≤2 brown - dark brown, gray - dark gray
0.5 <0.6 Brown
Note: Above is just a guide for determining the appropriate weight to be used for each sample
based on soil color. % OC may vary per soil color type. Generally, dark colored soils
which are described as dark brown to black show a higher content of carbon and nitrogen
than soils that are lighter in color.
Manual Potentiometric Titration
1. Set an expanded scale pH/mV meter with a platinum electrode and calomel reference
electrode to read E (mV). Insert the electrodes and temperature compensator in the solution

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and stir with a magnetic stirrer. Tall form beakers can be used as an alternative to Erlenmeyer
flasks giving more room for the electrodes, temperature compensator and burette.
2. Using one of the unknowns, plot a titration curve by recording values of measured E (mV) and
mL titrant (0.5 M FeSO4 or 0.5 M (NH4)2 Fe(SO4)2.6H2O added from a burette. The end point
is then found on the point of inflexion on the curve (approximately 750 mV). Subsequent
titrations are discontinued when this point is reached, and the corresponding titrant
consumption is then measured. If over 8 mL of the 10 mL of the dichromate has been reduced,
the determination must be repeated with a smaller amount of soil sample.
Automatic Potentiometric Titration
Use an auto titrator with a platinum electrode to the mV terminal and calomel reference electrode
to the glass electrode terminal. Use a 25 mL autoburette for the 0.5 M FeSO 4 or 0.5 M (NH4)2
Fe(SO4)2.6H2O titrant.
The titration is carried out by first plotting a titration curve as described above and then
automatically titrating to the end-point (approximately 750 mV) thus determined. Titrator settings
should follow the Titrator Equipment Handbook.
If over 8 mL of the 10 mL of the dichromate has been reduced, the determination must be repeated
with a smaller amount of soil sample.
8.2. Colorimetric Method
8.2.1. Preparation of Standards curve
8.2.1.1. Prepare a set of sucrose standards (0-8 mg C) as specified in the table

below in centrifuge tubes. Volumes of sucrose standard and
deionized/distilled water corresponding to the mass of organic carbon
8.2.1.2. To each tube, add 2.0 mL 10% K2Cr2O7 (0.34 M) solution and mix.
8.2.1.3. Add 5.0 mL H2SO4, cool and stand for 30.0 minutes.

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8.2.1.4. Add 18.0 mL deionized/distilled water to the tube.
Table 2. Standard Preparation
Sucrose
Mass of OC. H20
Standard (4 mg C/mL)
(mg) (mL)
(mL)
0 0.00 2.00
1 0.25 1.75
2 0.50 1.50
3 0.75 1.25
4 1.00 1.00
5 1.25 0.75
6 1.50 0.50
7 1.75 0.25
8 2.00 0.00
8.2.2. Preparation of Samples
8.2.2.1. Weigh 0.5 g soil sample (refer to Table 1 if sample mass is to be

modified)
8.2.2.2. Add 2.0 mL 10% (0.34 M) K2Cr2O7 solution and mix
8.2.2.3. Add 5.0 mL H2SO4, cool and stand for 30.0 minutes.
8.2.2.4. Add 20.0 mL water to the tube. Mix and stand overnight.
8.2.3. Measurement
Read the absorbance of the calibration standards and samples in a

spectrophotometer set at 600 nm wave length.
When the correlation coefficient of the calibration curve is equal to, or greater
than, 0.9990, proceed with the analysis of samples. Otherwise, verify that the
standards and reagents were correctly prepared, the instrument is functioning

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properly, and that the instrument set-up is correct. Corrective actions must be
taken and details of corrective action recorded.
8.2.4 Reporting
Compute for the %OC with the computation given at section 9.2 and report as
oven-dry basis with two (2) decimal places.
9. Calculation
9.1. Titration Method
From the equation:
2 Cr2O72- + 3 C0 + 16 H+ 4 Cr3+ + 3 CO2 + 8 H2O
1 mL of 1 N dichromate solution is equivalent to 3 mg of carbon
After the reaction, the excess Cr2O7 is titrated with 0.5 M FeSO4 or 0.5 M (NH4)2
Fe(SO4)2.6H2O
6 Fe2+ + Cr2O72- + 14 H+ 2 Cr3+ + 6 Fe3+ + 7 H2O
(𝑉𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑘 −𝑉𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 )×𝑀𝐹𝑒2+ ×0.003×100×𝑓∗𝑚𝑐𝑓

𝑂𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝐶, % = 𝑊
where:
𝑉𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑘 = volume of titrant in blank, mL

𝑉𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = volume of titrant in sample, mL

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𝑀𝐹𝑒 2+ = concentration of standardized FeSO4 or (NH4)2 Fe(SO4)2.6H2O

solution, molarity
0.003 = carbon oxidised (shown below)
12 𝑔 𝐶 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 3 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐶 1𝐿

= × × ×
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 6 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐹𝑒𝑆𝑂4 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 1000 𝑚𝐿
f = correction factor, 1.3

W = weight of soil, g
mcf = Moisture correction factor (refer to SOP for Moisture Content to
…compute for the mcf value)
Note: An oxidation correction factor of 1.3 is required because, on average, only about 77% of
organic carbon is recovered by this method. However, it should be considered that the
value of this factor is very variable, since it is conditioned by the type of soil and by the
nature of the organic matter.
9.2. Colorimetric Method
𝑚𝑔𝐶𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 −𝑚𝑔𝐶𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑘
% 𝑂𝐶 = × 𝑓 × 𝑚𝑐𝑓 × 100
𝑤,𝑚𝑔
where:
% OC = Organic Carbon content of the soil, %

mg Csampl = Analyte/concentration of C in sample
mg Cblank = Analyte/concentration of C in blank
W = Mass of air dry sample, mg
f = Correction factor, 1.3
mcf = Moisture correction factor (refer to SOP for Moisture
Content to compute for the mcf value)

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10. Quality assurance/Quality control

10.1. Accuracy Test
10.1.1. Participate in an Inter-laboratory Proficiency Test at least once a year. The PT

z-score should be less than 2. If not, identify root cause, develop corrective and
preventive actions, and address the problem.
10.1.2. Perform replicate analyses of the Certified Reference Material (CRM). Compare
result of own laboratory with results of other laboratories as provided in the
performance analysis report, or CRM certificate. The own laboratory result is
considered accurate when it falls within the reported 95% confidence interval of the
target value.
10.2. Precision Test
Perform replicate analysis of 10% of samples in a test batch. Calculate the Percent
Relative Standard Deviation (%RSD) to determine the precision of replicate
analyses is within specification. Compare result with the target precision for the
analyte concentration (Table 3).
𝑠
% 𝑅𝑆𝐷 = × 100
𝑥̅
Where: s = standard deviation of the replicate result

x̄ = mean

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Table 3. Expected precision (repeatability) as a function of analyte concentration
Source: AOAC Peer Verified Methods Program. Manual on Policies and Procedures
(1998). AOAC International Gathersburg. MD.
10.3. Control Chart
Analyze at least a duplicate of the Check Sample or Internal Reference Material for every
batch of analysis. Plot the result in the control chart. Monitor for out of specified limits. If out
of specified limit is observed, identify root cause, develop corrective and preventive actions.

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11. Reference documents

AOAC. 1998. AOAC Peer Verified Methods Program. Manual on Policies and Procedures. AOAC
International Gathersburg. MD.
B. Magnusson & U. Ornemark. 2014. Eurachem Guide: The fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods
– A Laboratory Guide to Method Validation and Related Topics.
Bowman, R.A. 1998. A Re-evaluation of the Chromic Acid Colorimetric Procedure for Soil Organic
Carbon. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 29(3&4): 501-508.
Brown, P.E. & O'Neal, A.M. 1923. The Color of Soils in Relation to Organic Matter Content.
Research Bulletin No. 75. Retrieved from Agricultural Research Bulletin-v005-b075.pdf.
FAO. 2006. Guidelines for soils description. Fourth edition. Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Garfield, F.M. 1991. Quality Assurance Principles for Analytical Laboratories. AOAC
INTERNATIONAL
Nelson, D.W. & Sommers, L.E. 1996. Total Carbon, Organic Carbon and Organic Matter. In D.L.
Sparks (Ed.), Soil Science Society of America, Book Series 5. Methods of Soil Analysis Part
3, Chemical Methods. Madison, Wisconsin: Soil Science Society of America, Inc.
Rayment, G.E. & Lyons, D.J. 2011. Soil Chemical Methods - Australasia. CSIRO publishing,
Australia
Sims, J. & Haby, V. 1971. Simplified Colorimetric Determination of Soil Organic Carbon Matter. Soil
Science, 112(2): 137-141

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Walkley, A. & Black I.A., 1934. An examination of the Degtjareff Method for Determining Soil Organic
Matter, and a proposed Modification of the Chromic Acid Titration Method. Soil Science, 37(1):
29-38
Walkley, A. 1947. A Critical Examination of a Rapid Method for Determining Organic Carbon in Soils
– Effect of Variations in Digestion Conditions and of Inorganic Soil Constituents. Soil Science,
63(4): 251-264

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Philippines
GLOSOLAN-SOP-02
GLOSOLAN

12. Appendix I. Acknowledgements

GLOSOLAN thanks the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), the Latin American Soil
Laboratory Network (LATSOLAN) and Ms. Nopmanee Suvannang, GLOSOLAN Chair for preparing
the first draft of this SOP. GLOSOLAN also thanks the Regional Soil Laboratory Networks (SEALNET,
LATSOLAN, AFRILAB and EUROSOLAN) that reviewed this SOP at their annual meetings and the
participants in the 3rd GLOSOLAN meeting (28-30 October 2019).
13. Appendix II. List of Authors

Main authors (in alphabetical order):
 Mr. Bergil G. Bernaldo, Bureau of Soils And Water Management Laboratory Services
Division, Philippines
 Ms. Floria Bertsch, CIA-UCR, Costa Rica
 Ms. Gina P. Nilo, Bureau of Soils And Water Management Laboratory Services Division,
Philippines
 Ms. Nopmanee Suvannang, GLOSOLAN Chair, Thailand
 Mr. Rob De Hayr, Department of Environment and Science, Science Division, Chemistry
Centre, Australia

Leader: G. Nilo,
Philippines
GLOSOLAN-SOP-02
GLOSOLAN

14. Appendix III. Contributing laboratories

GLOSOLAN thanks the following laboratories for completing the GLOSOLAN form on the method
and providing information on their Standard Operating Procedure for the Walkley & Black Method
(titration and colorimetric methods), which were used as baseline for doing the global harmonization:
From the Asian region:
• ICRISAT, India
• ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, India
• Department of agriculture land management (DALaM), Laos
• Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Myanmar
• Fertilizer Company Limited, Pakistan
• Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar,
Pakistan
• Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Philippines
• DA Regional Field Office 3-ILD-Regional Soils Laboratory, Philippines
• Horticultural Crops Research and Development Institute , Department of Agriculture, Sri
Lanka
• Department of Plant Production Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King
Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand
• Soil Analysis Technical Service Group, Office of Science for Land Develoment, Land
Development Department, Thailand
From the Pacific region:
 Fiji Agricultural Chemistry laboratory, Fiji

 The University of the South Pacific. Alafua Campus, Samoa
From the Near East and North African region:

Leader: G. Nilo,
Philippines
GLOSOLAN-SOP-02
GLOSOLAN

 Soil and Water Research Institute, Iran

 Ministry of science and technology, Directorate of agricultural research, soil and water
resources center, soil chemistry and desertification department, Iraq
 Agricultural Research & extension Authority, Renewable Natural Resources Research
Center, Yemen
From the African region:
 Soil and Plant Analytical laboratory, Botswana

 Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Cameroon
 National Laboratory for Diagnosis and Quality Control of Agricultural Products And Inputs,
Cameroon
 LASEP/ITRAD, Chad
 National Soil Testing Center (NSTC), Ethiopia
 CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Ghana
 KALRO Soil Laboratories, Kabete, Kenya
 University of Eldoret, Kenya
 Department of Agricultural Research, Lesotho
 Laboratoire des Radioisotopes, Madagascar
 Department of Agricultura Research Services, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station,
Malawi
 Farming & Engineering Services (FES), Malawi
 Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi
 Department of Agricultura Research Services, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station,
Malawi
 IIAM/CZnd/ Nampula, Mozambique
 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), Niger
 Nigeria Institute of Soil Science ( NISS ), National soil and fertilizer reference laboratory
kaduna, Nigeria

Leader: G. Nilo,
Philippines
GLOSOLAN-SOP-02
GLOSOLAN

 Internation Institute of Tropical agriculture, Nigeria

 RAB, Rwanda
 IRD, Senegal
 Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) - Mlingano, Tanzania
 Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique, Togo
 University of Zambia, Zambia
 Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Zambia
 Soil Science & Agric. Engin, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
 Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station, Zimbabwe
 Chemistry and Soil Research Institute, Zimbabwe
From the European region:
 Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection Department of

Agrochemistry, Agroecology and Soil Tillage, Bulgaria
 University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of General Agronomy, Croatia
 SYNLAB Analytics & Services Germany GmbH, Germany
 Food Chain Safety Centre Non-profit Ltd., Soil Conservatory Laboratory, Velence, Hungary
 Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, Kosovo
 Laboratory of forest environment at Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava", Latvia
 Chemisch Biologisch Laboratorium Bodem, Netherlands
 Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco/Escola Superior Agrária, Portugal
 Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e veterinária (INIAV), Portugal
 INCDPAPM - ICPA Bucharest - Laboratory for Physical and Chemical Analysis, Romania
 Soil and Fertilizer Laboratory of Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (SOFLER-
TR), University of Ankara, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant
Nutrition, Turkey
 Soil Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute, Turkey
 Environmental Research Laboratory, United Kingdom

Leader: G. Nilo,
Philippines
GLOSOLAN-SOP-02
GLOSOLAN

From the Eurasian region:
 Laboratory of soil-agrochemical analysis, Kazakhstan

 Soil Science Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Federation
 Institute of Biology of Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of
Sciences (IB Komi SC UB RAS), Russian Federation
From Latin America:
 Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones.

Agropecuarias: INIA-CENIAP, Bolivia
 INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria)- Instituto de Suelos – Laboratorio,
Brazil
 Laboratorio Químico de Suelos y Plantas, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
 Agricultural Land Management Division/ Soil Health Plant Tissue Water Laboratory,
Jamaica
 ECOSUR, Mexico
 Laboratorio de Fertilidad de suelos y Agua del Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de
Panamá (IDIAP), Panama
 Laboratorio de Suelos y Aguas, Dirección General de Recursos Naturales - Ministerio de
Ganadería Agricultura y Pesca. (DGRN-MGAP), Uruguay
 Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones
Agropecuarias: INIA-CENIAP, Venezuela

Leader: G. Nilo,
Philippines
CA7471EN/1/01.20
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Standard operating procedure for

soil organic carbon

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 1 of 25

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON

N° Date Description of the modification Type of modification

01 30 July 2019 Finalization of the draft version Compilation of all inputs

Modify by Revision Approval date Validated date

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 2 of 25

1. Brief introduction to soil organic carbon (SOC) ............................................................. 3

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SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 3 of 25

1. Brief introduction to soil organic carbon (SOC)

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SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 4 of 25

*¸Organic carbon content of ≥ 0.6 percent → mollic and umbric horizon.

2. Scope and field of application

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SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 5 of 25

Chemical reaction is as follows:

2 Cr2O72- + 3 C0 + 16 H+ 4 Cr3+ + 3 CO2 + 8 H2O

6 Fe2+ + Cr2O72- + 14 H+ 2 Cr3+ + 6 Fe3+ + 7 H2O

Modify by Revision Approval date Validated date

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 6 of 25

undergo oxidation-reduction reactions in chromic acid mixtures leading to incorrect values

4.1.1. Analytical balance, with an appreciation of 0.0001 g for the preparation of

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SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 7 of 25

4.1.8. Oven able to reach a temperature of 105ºC

4.2. For Colorimetric Method

4.2.1. Analytical balance, with an appreciation of 0.0001 g for the preparation of

Modify by Revision Approval date Validated date

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 8 of 25

5.1.1. Deionized water/distilled water, it should have an EC < 1.5*10-3 dS m-1

5.1.2. Potassium Dichromate Standard, 0.167 M (1.0 N)

5.1.4. Phosphoric Acid, 85% (If Diphenylamine indicator is used)

5.1.5. Indicator (either 5.1.5.1 or 5.1.5.2 can be chosen)

5.1.5.1. o-Phenanthroline - Ferrous Complex, 0.025 M

Dissolve 1.485 g of o-phenanthroline monohydrate (analytical grade)

The o-phenanthroline-ferrous complex is also available under the name

5.1.5.2 Barium diphenylamine sulfonate Indicator, 0.16% aqueous

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SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 9 of 25

5.1.6. Titrant (either 5.1.6.1 or 5.1.6.2 can be chosen)

5.1.6.1 Ferrous Sulphate (FeSO4) solution, 0.5 M

5.1.6.2 Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate, 0.5 M

5.2. For Colorimetric Method

5.2.1. Deionized water/distilled water, it should have an EC < 1.5*10-3 dS m-1

5.2.2. Potassium Dichromate, 10% (0.34 M)

5.5.3 Sucrose Standard, 4 mg C/mL

Modify by Revision Approval date Validated date

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 10 of 25

6. Health and safety

6.1. Personnel safety

6.2. Chemical hazard

4. All titrations and handling of chemicals to be undertaken in a fume hood.

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SOIL ORGANIC CARBON Version number : 1 Page 11 of 25

8.1.7. Add 10 mL of 85% H3PO4.(if barium diphenylamine sulfonate indicator is used)