Since TOC analyzer is very expensive to install and we already muffle furnace available here. Chemical evaluation like Walkley and Black methods are time consuming, and the resulting data are not reliable though.
Yes, using a muffle furnace is a viable option for evaluating the organic matter content of soil, especially when a Total Carbon Analyzer is unavailable. The method commonly used is called Loss on Ignition (LOI).
While a muffle furnace won’t give as precise results as a TOC analyzer, it is a viable and reliable alternative for estimating the organic matter content of soil, particularly in settings where resources are limited. By using the LOI method, you can get an effective estimate of organic matter, saving both time and cost compared to chemical methods.
The combustion method may be approximate but ay least it does not involve the release of Cr into the environment
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