The dissociation of ammonium (NH 4 + ) into ammonia (NH 3 ) in wastewaters is a key factor governing atmospheric nitrogen volatilization. Relatively rich in total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN or NH 4 + plus NH 3 ), livestock manures are most susceptible to NH 3 volatilization, although indirect measurements report 5 times less NH 4 + dissociation as compared to theoretical values. The objective of this study was therefore to directly measure NH 4 + dissociation of two standard NH 4 Cl solutions (1750 and 3500 mg TAN/L), and of swine and dairy cattle manures at various dilutions and temperatures using a ammonia selective electrode (hydrogen and silver-silver chloride electrode couple) at various pH and temperatures. All solutions demonstrated NH 4 + dissociation varying from theory, especially because of dissolved compounds such as atmospheric CO 2 . At a neutral pH, ratios of theoretical to measured [NH 3 -N] ranged from 1.5 to 3.5, with higher ratios corresponding to higher TAN levels. At a pH below 6, NH 3 volatilization was enhanced by the shift of HCO 3 - to H 2 CO 3 and CO 2 . With previous research projects reporting 5 times less NH 3 volatilization as compared to theory, the present indicates that dissociation activity account for half of this drop with gas diffusion accounting for the other half.
KeywordsAmmonium DissociationManurepHTemperature
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