Spatial variability of ammonium and nitrate in soils near a poultry farm.
This paper assesses the distribution of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) nitrogen deposition in native bushland soil adjacent to an open ventilated poultry farm. The farm is located in Thirlmere 150 km south west of Sydney, Australia. A total of 104 geographically referenced soil cores were obtained from the study area. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), NH4(+) - and NO3(-)-nitrogen concentrations were analysed for variable trends at three depths, i.e. 0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm. Significantly higher concentrations of the two nitrogen forms and EC were observed nearer to the farm in the surface soil samples (0-30 cm). The distribution of NH4+, NO3- and EC were all correlated in surface samples throughout the study area. There was no indication of NH4+ and NO3- leaching within soil profile sampled and it appears that weeds and native vegetation had utilised the accumulated nitrogen. The level of N deposition adjacent to the poultry farm decreased downwind due to dispersion of plume and to the buffering effects from the bushland.
Formosa
Luke
L
School of Land, Water and Crop Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Singh
Balwant
B
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D002645:Chickens; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D009566:Nitrates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012989:Soil Pollutants