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Urea Conversion to Ammonia in Waterlogged Soils
Author(s) -
Delaune R. D.,
Patrick Wm. H.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1970.03615995003400040019x
Subject(s) - ammonia volatilization from urea , urea , ammonia , soil water , chemistry , hydrolysis , moisture , ammonium , sulfate , environmental chemistry , volatilisation , ammonium sulfate , water content , environmental science , zoology , soil science , geology , chromatography , organic chemistry , geotechnical engineering , biology
Urea hydrolysis to ammonia proceeded at about the same rate in waterlogged soils and in soils kept at ⅓ bar moisture. Urea hydrolysis took place at an initial rate of about 8 to 12 ppm/hour and began to level off after about 24 hours. Maximum conversion of urea occurred at about pH 8 under both moisture conditions. Volatilization loss of ammonia hydrolyzed from surface applied urea was slightly greater at ⅓ bar than under waterlogged conditions and was considerably greater under all conditions than was loss from surface applied ammonium sulfate. For topdressed urea in flooded soil, urea conversion was much more rapid in the surface layer of soil than in the flood water.