Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/11970
Title: Nitrogen transformations in a simulated overland flow wastewater treatment system
Authors: Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.). Center for Wetland Resources
U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station
Chen, Rex L.
Patrick, W. H. (William H.), 1925-
Keywords: Denitrification
Nitrification
Nitrogen compounds
Chemistry
Soil chemistry
Waste treatment
Waste water
Wastewater
Water reuse
Publisher: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Special report (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 80-16.
Description: Special Report
Abstract: Treating wastewater in properly designed and operated overland flow systems results in significant amounts of N being removed through nitrification-denitrification reactions. Application of wastewater containing NH4+-N in a simulated overland flow model led to the disappearance of ammonium and the formation of nitrate in oxidized surface soil. The N balance in the simulated overland flow system was estimated by using labeled ¹⁵N. The amount of N removed in the system depends upon denitrification rates. The results of this study indicated that N adsorption on the soil complex and uptake of applied ammonium by vegetation accounted for the N removed in the overland flow systems. The adsorbed ammonium on the aerated surface soil mass was nitrified and converted to oxidized forms of N. The nitrate thus formed diffused downward to the reduced zone during subsequent wastewater applications. Some of this nitrate then denitrified and converted to gaseous forms of N or was assimilated and reduced by plant life. Results of the overland flow studies indicated that approximately 55-68% of wastewater NH4+-N added to the simulated overland flow system was unaccounted for in controlled laboratory environments. This NH4+-N was presumably returned to the atmosphere.
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/11970
Appears in Collections:Special Report

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