AN EVALUATION OF NITROGEN LOSSES FROM THE SOIL DUE TO THE REACTION OF AMMONIUM IONS WITH NITROUS ACID

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Abstract
By extrapolating published kinetic data to conditions found in the soil, prediction of the contribution of the decomposition of ammonium nitrite to soil N losses were made Two rate laws were found in the literature, a 2nd-order rate equation and a 3rd-order rate equation. These differences were not serious, however, since significant, and similar, N losses were calculated from each rate law. Tables are presented indicating that, in certain soils, N losses of at least 10 lbs. per acre-year may be attributed to the non-biological ammonium nitrite decomposition. The following soil conditions should favor N loss by this mechanism: soils containing large amounts of fixed nitrogen; acidic soils; dry (not desiccated) soils.