Method - Titrimetric

Principle
EDTA combines with calcium and magnesium. Magnesium is precipitated at high pH
and the indicator used has to be selective for only so that mg interference is fully
removed. Murixide is good indicator.
Reagents
All reagent required for estimation of calcium in water are given in water analysis, filter
paper (whatman No. 50) and other reagents as given below: 1. Ethyl Alcohol:- Absolute and 40%
2. Ammonium Acetate Solution (1N): - Take 57 ml of glacial acid and dilute it to 800 ml
with distilled water. Add gradually the concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution till
pH 7.0 is attained. Further add distilled water to make the final volume 1 ltr.
Method
Preparation of Soil Extract: - Air dry the soil and take 50 gm of it in a flask. Add 100 ml
of 40% ethyl alcohol, shake well, wait for 10 minutes and filter the suspension through
filter paper (whatman No. 50). Further wash the soil residue on filter paper with 40%
ethyl alcohol. Transfer the residue to a beaks and 100 ml of ammonium acetate solution,
stirr and allow to stand overnight. Filter the supernatant through filter paper (whatman
No. 50) and collect the filtrate (soil extract). Note the total volume of soil extract.
Determination of Calcium
Determine the calcium in soil as described in water analysis