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Problems in Direct Steam Distillation of Soil for Mineral Nitrogen Determination Due to Carbonates
Author(s) -
Clausen C. R.,
Russelle M. P.,
Flowerday A. D.,
Olson R. A.
Publication year - 1981
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/sssaj1981.03615995004500060047x
Subject(s) - steam distillation , chemistry , distillation , solubility , soil water , calcareous , calcareous soils , environmental chemistry , nitrogen , fineness , mineralogy , inorganic chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , chromatography , soil science , environmental science , geology , organic chemistry , paleontology
A follow‐up study to one on Mg 2+ interference in NO 3 ‐ measurement by direct steam distillation of soil revealed an added problem of low recovery with the method when used on calcareous soils. The CO 3 2‐ ion was presumed responsible, prompting the current investigation on the effect of soil CO 3 2‐ and Mg 2+ levels on NH 4 + and NO 3 ‐ determination by the method. Four series of CO 3 2‐ amendments to distillation flasks were made to simulate soil levels of (i) low solubility CO 3 2‐ [CaCO 3 and 3 MgCO 3 ·Mg(OH) 2 ], (ii) soluble CO 3 2‐ (K 2 CO 3 ), (iii) Mg 2+ and soluble CO 3 2‐ combinations, and (iv) soluble CO 3 2‐ in a Mg 2+ ‐free system. All received 40 ppm N as NH 4 NO 3 with NH 4 + and NO 3 ‐ measured by prescribed distillation procedures. The results show that Mg 2+ and CO 3 2‐ Independently suppress recovery of NO 3 ‐ and Interact to interfere with both NH 4 + and NO 3 ‐ determination in direct distillation of calcareous soils.