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Redox Potentials in a Cropped Potato Processing Waste Water Disposal Field with a Deep Water Table
Author(s) -
Smith J. H.,
Gilbert R. G.,
Miller J. B.
Publication year - 1978
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/jeq1978.00472425000700040021x
Subject(s) - denitrification , irrigation , environmental science , redox , water table , nitrate , organic matter , soil water , environmental chemistry , nitrification , groundwater , environmental engineering , agronomy , chemistry , nitrogen , soil science , geology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , biology
Redox potential measurements were made in a field irrigated with potato processing waste water at seven depths of 5 to 150 cm for 14 mo. Irrigation with canal water mixed with waste water in the summer, and with waste water in the winter, decreased redox potentials in the field at some depths for a short time but not enough to cause denitrification. However, as the soil temperature increased in the spring, and decomposition of the accumulated waste organic matter accelerated, redox potentials decreased after each irrigation at all observed depths. During April, redox potentials low enough to promote denitrification (below +225 mV) at 90‐, 120‐, and 150‐cm depths in the soil persisted for 2 weeks. Irrigation with nondiluted waste water in June and July decreased redox potentials and denitrification occurred for up to 3 days after irrigations. As the soil temperature increased in the spring, nitrification of accumulated organic matter increased soil nitrates. Waste water irrigations from April to July promoted denitriflcation, removing most of the nitrate from the soil, and thereby decreasing the potential for ground water pollution.