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Nitrate‐Nitrogen and Chloride Movement Through Undisturbed Field Soil
Author(s) -
Shuford J. W.,
Fritton D. D.,
Baker D. E.
Publication year - 1977
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/jeq1977.00472425000600030004x
Subject(s) - dispersion (optics) , chloride , nitrate , nitrogen , surface runoff , chemistry , ion , tracer , field (mathematics) , soil science , soil water , soil horizon , environmental chemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , geotechnical engineering , geology , ecology , physics , mathematics , organic chemistry , nuclear physics , pure mathematics , optics , biology
Results are presented from a field study conducted to determine whether large pores represent a major pathway for NO 3 ‐N and Cl movement through undisturbed soil. A solution containing 410 ppm NO 3 ‐N and Cl as KNO 3 and KCl was added to three experimental field plots enclosed by wooden barriers to prevent runoff. Initial and final soil samples were taken at various profile depths for ion analyses. Most of the NO 3 ‐N and Cl added in solution moved vertically with the water through the profile. Ion movement was influenced by large soil pores between structural units. A fourth field plot was designed to compare field‐measured NO 3 ‐N and Cl concentrations with theoretical calculations, using time‐dependent water flow velocity and dispersion equations. Soil solution samples were taken for ion analyses. Due to the incomplete mixing of water and ions with all soil pores, theoretical equations did not completely explain the field‐measured NO 3 ‐N and Cl distributions.