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Losses of Inorganic Nitrogen from Aquatic Systems¹

ABSTRACT

Additions of NH₄NO₃ were made to 6 ponds near Ithaca, New York, and the loss of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^– from solution was followed over a 2-month period with the objective of investigating the mechanisms and magnitude of losses of inorganic nitrogen. In the ponds which were used, biological immobilization of nitrogen was small in relation to the total amount added.

Losses of NH₄⁺ ranged from 2 to 38% per day in different ponds. An NH₃ volatilization model based on concentration of ammonium N and water pH was consistent with the experimental data, and the results were in agreement with the hypothesis that the major avenue of NH₄⁺ loss was by NH₃ volatilization across the air-water interface.

Nitrate losses ranged from 7 to 15% per day in the different ponds. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that nitrate loss was primarily by denitrification in the bottom sediments.

Models for loss of both ions were derived which have general application to other bodies of water. Although the experimental data were obtained in ponds which are not necessarily typical of other bodies of water, the models are based on general chemical and physical parameters which are not peculiar to the ponds studied (that is, depth of water, water pH, and a reduced zone of sediments underlying a thin oxidized layer of sediment). The results suggest that NH₃ volatilization and denitrification are mechanisms which may account for appreciable losses of N from many bodies of water.

Key Words: NH₃-volatilization • denitrification

¹ Contribution from Department of Agronomy, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 14850. Agronomy Paper no. 953.

² Professor, Experimentalists, and Graduate Assistant, respectively.

Received for publication February 2, 1973.