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Ammonia Volatilization from Surface or Incorporated Biosolids by the Addition of Dicyandiamide
Author(s) -
Quemada M.,
Lasa B.,
Lamsfus C.,
AparicioTejo P. M.
Publication year - 1998
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/jeq1998.00472425002700040036x
Subject(s) - biosolids , volatilisation , mineralization (soil science) , environmental chemistry , ammonia , chemistry , compost , laboratory flask , sewage sludge , soil water , environmental science , environmental engineering , agronomy , sewage treatment , soil science , organic chemistry , biology
Biosolids management can affect N gaseous losses, and may be an important tool for sludge N management. The objectives of our experiment were to determine the effect of dicyandiamide (DCD) addition and biosolids placement on (i) ammonia volatilization, and (ii) C mineralization and inorganic N accumulation. Biosolids, treated or untreated with DCD, were either surface‐applied or soil‐incorporated at a rate of 31.7 g of dry solids kg −1 soil, and incubated in flasks at 21°C for 62 d. Free air was renewed at 0.15 L min −1 and NH 3 and CO 2 in the air flowing out of each flask were collected in traps for each treatment. Inorganic N in soil plus biosolids mixtures was determined at the end of the study. Surface‐applied biosolids treated with DCD lost 71% while nontreated biosolids lost 20% of the applied NH + 4 ‐N. Soil‐incorporated biosolids lost <5% of the applied NH + 4 ‐N. Surface placement of the biosolids enhanced C mineralization, while it did not affect inorganic N accumulation. Addition of DCD to the biosolids did not affect C mineralization, but increased the accumulation of inorganic N. These results suggest that addition of DCD and biosolids placement can be used for managing sludge N.