HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clausen, C. R. Articles by Olson, R. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Clausen, C. R. Articles by Olson, R. A. Agricola Articles by Clausen, C. R. Articles by Olson, R. A.

Problems in Direct Steam Distillation of Soil for Mineral Nitrogen Determination Due to Carbonates¹

ABSTRACT

A follow-up study to one on Mg²⁺ interference in NO₃^- measurement by direct steam distillation of soil revealed an added problem of low recovery with the method when used on calcareous soils. The CO₃^2- ion was presumed responsible, prompting the current investigation on the effect of soil CO₃^2- and Mg²⁺ levels on NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- determination by the method.

Four series of CO₃^2- amendments to distillation flasks were made to simulate soil levels of (i) low solubility CO₃^2- [CaCO₃ and 3 MgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂], (ii) soluble CO₃^2- (K₂CO₃), (iii) Mg²⁺ and soluble CO₃^2- combinations, and (iv) soluble CO₃^2- in a Mg²⁺-free system. All received 40 ppm N as NH₄NO₃ with NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- measured by prescribed distillation procedures. The results show that Mg²⁺ and CO₃^2- Independently suppress recovery of NO₃^- and Interact to interfere with both NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- determination in direct distillation of calcareous soils.

¹ Contribution from the Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn., Lincoln, as Paper no. 6592 of the Journal Ser. Acknowledged are Regional Research Funds that partially supported the work.

Received for publication May 21, 1981. Accepted for publication July 7, 1981.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S.A. Khan, R.L. Mulvaney, and R.G. Hoeft Direct-Diffusion Methods for Inorganic-Nitrogen Analysis of Soil Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., May 1, 2000; 64(3): 1083 - 1089. [Abstract] [Full Text]