CONVECTIVE TRANSPORT OF AMMONIUM WITH NITRIFICATION IN SOIL

Abstract

Dispersion equations with first-order reaction rates for nitrogen transformations were applied to describe the convective transport of NH₄⁺ with nitrification and denitrification in soil. The equations describing the concentrations of NH₄⁺, NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ as functions of position, time, rate constants, average solution velocity and the distribution coefficient of NH₄⁺ between soil and soil solution were obtained. Several values of parameters were chosen to obtain the concentration profiles of NH₄⁺, NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ along the soil column at several times. Steady-state concentration profiles and the time required to attain the steady state are discussed.