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Accumulation of nitrate in fresh soils after gamma irradiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

P. A. Cawse
Affiliation:
Wantage Research Laboratory (A.E.R.E.), Wantage, Berks.
T. White
Affiliation:
Wantage Research Laboratory (A.E.R.E.), Wantage, Berks.

Summary

Increases in nitrate have been found in eight out of ten soils irradiated over the range 0·25–2·5 Mrad, with maximum accumulation between 0·25–0·75 Mrad. Oxidation of ammonium added to normal soils was poor at low pH, and showed a highly significant correlation with nitrate produced after 0·25 Mrad. It is suggested that radiation-released ammonium is less limiting to nitrate formation than the original population or activity of nitrifying organisms, which are favoured by alkaline conditions.

Type
Short Note
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

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References

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