Environmental chemistry

Contamination

Biomass (ecology)

Biogeochemistry

Soil retrogression and degradation

Nutrient

Soil ecology

Soil science

Soil water

Soil acidification

Chemistry

Ecology

Soil pH

Bioremediation

Soil remediation

Soil fertility

Environmental science

Environmental remediation

Agronomy

Soil contamination

Biogeochemical cycle

Soil biodiversity

Biology

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

In the natural environment, soil pH has an enormous influence on soil biogeochemical processes. Soil pH is, therefore, described as the “master soil variable” that influences myriads of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes that affect plant growth and biomass yield. This paper discusses how soil pH affects processes that are interlinked with the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the soil environment as well as how these processes, through anthropogenic interventions, induce changes in soil pH. Unlike traditional discussions on the various causes of soil pH, particularly soil acidification, this paper focuses on relationships and effects as far as soil biogeochemistry is concerned. Firstly, the effects of soil pH on substance availability, mobility, and soil biological processes are discussed followed by the biogenic regulation of soil pH. It is concluded that soil pH can broadly be applied in two broad areas, i.e., nutrient cycling and plant nutrition and soil remediation (bioremediation and physicochemical remediation).

The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation