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Losses of Inorganic Nitrogen from Aquatic Systems
Author(s) -
Bouldin David R.,
Johnson Robert L.,
Burda Charles,
Kao ChunWei
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1974.00472425000300020003x
Subject(s) - volatilisation , denitrification , nitrate , nitrogen , ammonium , sediment , environmental chemistry , chemistry , ammonia volatilization from urea , ammonium nitrate , geology , paleontology , organic chemistry
Additions of NH 4 NO 3 were made to 6 ponds near Ithaca, New York, and the loss of NH 4 + and NO 3 − from solution was followed over a 2‐month period with the objective of investigating the mechanisms and magnitude of losses of inorganic nitrogen. In the ponds which were used, biological immobilization of nitrogen was small in relation to the total amount added. Losses of NH 4 + ranged from 2 to 38% per day in different ponds. An NH 3 volatilization model based on concentration of ammonium N and water pH was consistent with the experimental data, and the results were in agreement with the hypothesis that the major avenue of NH 4 + loss was by NH 3 volatilization across the air‐water interface. Nitrate losses ranged from 7 to 15% per day in the different ponds. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that nitrate loss was primarily by denitrification in the bottom sediments. Models for loss of both ions were derived which have general application to other bodies of water. Although the experimental data were obtained in ponds which are not necessarily typical of other bodies of water, the models are based on general chemical and physical parameters which are not peculiar to the ponds studied (that is, depth of water, water pH, and a reduced zone of sediments underlying a thin oxidized layer of sediment). The results suggest that NH 3 volatilization and denitrification are mechanisms which may account for appreciable losses of N from many bodies of water.