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Ammonia Volatilization Reaction Mechanism Between Ammonium Sulfate and Carbonate Systems¹

ABSTRACT

The mechanism by which NH₃ is lost in the reaction between (NH₄)₂ SO₄ and CaCO₃, BaCO₃, MgCO₃, and a calcareous Norwood silt loam soil was investigated. Results obtained in the laboratory indicated that the reaction proceeded through an NH₄HCO₃ intermediate.

The ratio of NH₃ to CO₂ volatilized approached a 2:1 ratio of NH₃/CO₂ gases for the first 2 to 6 hours of the reaction. It then decreased to an apparent equilibrium ratio of 1:1 for the remainder of the 96-hour reaction period. The pH of the reaction interface between (NH₄)₂SO₄ surface applied to CaCO₃ was never > 8.4. These data indicate that at no point was there a high enough pH to form (NH₄)₂CO₃. Thus, if any solid formed it would be NH₄HCO₃ and not (NH₄)₂CO₃.

¹ Contribution from Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., College Station. Presented before Div. S-8, Soil Sci. Soc. of America, Knoxville, Tenn., 28 August 1975.

² Graduate Assistant, present address, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, and Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences Dep., Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX 77843, respectively.

Received for publication June 13, 1977. Accepted for publication November 7, 1977.