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Devarda's Alloy Method for Total Nitrogen Determination¹

ABSTRACT

A modified semimicro-Kjeldahl procedure for total nitrogen (N) determination to include No₃^--N, NO₂^--N, or both is described. The method involves use of Devarda's alloy as a reducing agent in the pretreatment procedure to convert NO₃^--N, or NO₂^--N, into NH₄⁺-N in 6N H₂SO₄ with subsequent Kjeldahl digestion of the sample using a mixture of K₂SO₄ – Se and concentrated H₂SO₄. The proposed method was effective in recovering NO₃^--N or low-level NO₂^--N from water, soil, plant, and organic N compounds in total N determinations. The method gives essentially the same or slightly higher values for total N in a variety of soils when compared with other commonly used methods. The advantage of the proposed method is that it includes both NO₃^--N and low-level NO₂^--N in one single pretreatment procedure and gives a smooth digestion during the subsequent Kjeldahl analysis.

¹ Contribution from the Soils and Fertilizer Research Branch, National Fertilizer Development Center, Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL 35660.

² Research Chemist.

Received for publication March 20, 1981. Accepted for publication June 8, 1981.