The purpose of this manual is to document methodology and to serve as a reference for the laboratory analyst. The standard methods described in this SSIR No. 42, Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual, Version 4.0 replaces as a methods reference all earlier versions of the SSIR No. 42 (1989, 1992, and 1996, respectively) and SSIR No. 1, Procedures for Collecting Soil Samples and Methods of Analysis for Soil Survey (1972, 1982, and 1984). All SSL methods are performed with methodologies appropriate for the specific purpose. The SSL SOP's are standard methods, peer-recognized methods, SSL-developed methods, and/or specified methods in soil taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff, 1999). An earlier version of this manual (1996) also served as the primary document from which a companion manual, Soil Survey Laboratory Information Manual (SSIR No. 45, 1995), was developed. The SSIR No. 45 describes in greater detail the application of SSL data.
Trade names are used in the manual solely for the purpose of providing specific information. Mention of a trade name does not constitute a guarantee of the product by USDA nor does it imply an endorsement by USDA. |
