Chemistry Society Accepting Soil Test Samples - Geneva College
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Chemistry Society Accepting Soil Test Samples

Soil Samples

The Geneva College Chemistry Society accepts lawn and garden soil samples for testing every spring. Soil is tested for pH, potassium content, and phosphorous content. The pH is a measure of the acidity of the soil. Potassium and phosphorus are fertilizer nutrients needed by plants.

This year, samples may be submitted from Tuesday, March 15 through Friday, April 1. Only the first 100 samples will be accepted. The Geneva Chemistry Society accepts a donation of two dollars per sample to defray the costs of analysis.

Soil samples may be brought to one of two drop off-locations. One location is on Geneva’s main campus in Beaver Falls, outside room 212 in the Science & Engineering Building (S&E). Samples can also be taken to Campbell Laboratory, 1900 Third Avenue in New Brighton. Both locations accept samples from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Results will be mailed out by the first week of May.

To obtain a sample from a lawn or garden, use a clean trowel to dig up a plug of soil about six inches in depth. A more representative sample may be obtained by taking several plugs and mixing them together. Soil should be obtained when it is fairly dry, if possible. Spread the soil sample on a newspaper to dry indoors for at least 24 hours, mix thoroughly and break up lumps, and place about one cup into a plastic bag.  Label the bag with name and address. Separate samples should be obtained for problem areas.

Any questions regarding soil testing should be directed to Dr. Kerry McMahon, Associate Professor of Chemistry, at 724-847-6722.

    Geneva College invites students to step forward with an academically excellent, Christ-centered and affordable education. Offering more than 40 majors, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and campus-based options, and high-demand advanced graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Geneva as a Top 10 Best Value with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the inerrancy of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in Reformed Christian faith, as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.

    Mar 14, 2016