cation exchange

Cation exchange is a process where positively charged ions (cations) are swapped between a solid material, like soil or a filter, and a liquid, such as water. The solid has negatively charged sites that attract and hold cations like calcium or magnesium. When the liquid passes through, these cations can be replaced by other cations in the fluid. This exchange helps control the availability of nutrients in soil or remove unwanted ions from water, playing a vital role in soil fertility and water purification. It’s a natural and reversible process driven by electrical charges and concentration differences.