Effects of soil properties on ammonia volatilization

Abstract

By using a small culture dish located above a large-sized closed dish with soil samples to trap emissions as well as applying multivariate analysis methods, the influence of soil properties on ammonia volatilization and their correlation was studied. The results showed that the ammonia volatilization rates were positively correlated with the soil pH, CaCO₃, and total salt contents but negatively correlated with the organic matter content, CEC, and clay content. Of the three negative correlation factors, the CEC was most highly correlated with ammonia volatilization, while among the three positive correlation factors, the pH predominated. These results enabled to assess the magnitude of ammonia volatilization from soils. According to the correlation equation of ammonia volatilization versus pH and CEC, the potential of ammonia volatilization of some soils in China was determined and the soils were divided into four groups. It was concluded that by increasing the application rate of organic matter ammonia volatilization might decrease.

Key Words:

• ammonia volatilization
• NH₃
• nitrogen
• soil properties