The soluble salts in Western Colorado soils are sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium (cations; + charged ions), in combination with bicarbonates, chlorides and sulfates (anions; - charged ions). When dissolved in water these compounds dissociate (separate) into their respective cations and anions. For example, calcium sulfate (gypsum) dissociates into calcium cations and sulfate anions.

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