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Ammonia Volatilization from Dairy Manure Spread on the Soil Surface
Author(s) -
Lauer D. A.,
Bouldin D. R.,
Klausner S. D.
Publication year - 1976
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/jeq1976.00472425000500020005x
Subject(s) - volatilisation , ammonia volatilization from urea , manure , ammoniacal nitrogen , ammonia , tonne , zoology , chemistry , environmental science , nitrogen , environmental chemistry , agronomy , organic chemistry , biology
Volatilization of ammonia from manure spread in the field was measured in five experiments carried out over a period of 2 years in spring, summer, and winter. The rates of manure application were 34 and 200 metric tons/ha (15 and 90 tons/acre). Ammonia volatilization was determined after spreading by periodically measuring the total ammoniacal N (TAN) content of manure samples collected from the soil surface. Corrections were made for increase in ammoniacal N in the soil. Time spans of the experiments ranged from 5 to 25 days with total losses of NH 3 ranging from 61 to 99% of the TAN content. Quantities of N volatilized as NH 3 ranged from 17 to 316 kg N/ha depending on the application rate and TAN content of the manure. In the winter trial, NH 3 volatilization was precluded by subfreezing temperatures, snow cover, and a rapid thaw which leached the ammoniacal N into the soil. In the other experiments, for a period of 5 to 7 days after spreading, rates of NH 3 loss are represented by mean half‐lives of 1.86 to 3.36 days, respectively, for the low and high rates of manure application. After the initial period of loss, the rate of NH 3 volatilization slowed in most cases. The 34 metric tons/ha manure application dried more rapidly because of its thinner ground cover, which increased the rate of NH 3 loss from the manure. Volatilization of NH 3 was optimum under sustained drying conditions. Effects of drying on the manure in relation to the chemistry of NH 3 in aqueous solution in the manure aided in understanding the process of NH 3 volatilization from the manure.