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Effects of Trace Elements on Nitrification in Soils

ABSTRACT

Studies to evaluate the effects on nitrification of 19 trace elements showed that all these elements inhibited nitrification of NH₄⁺-N added to soils. Results showed that the relative effectiveness of the trace elements in inhibition of nitrification depends on the soils. When the trace elements were compared to using 5 µmoles/g of soil, Ag(I), Hg(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), As(III), Cr(III), B(III), Al(III), Se(IV), and Mo(VI) were the most effective inhibitors (average inhibition >50%), and Mn(II) and Pb(II) the least effective (average inhibition <25%) inhibitors. The average inhibition by the other elements studied [Co(II), Cu(II), Sn(II), Fe(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), V(IV), and W(VI)] ranged from 33% with W(VI) to 49% with Fe(III), Silver(I), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Pb(II), As(III), B(III), Fe(III), As(V), Mo(VI), and W(VI) inhibited Nitrobacter, causing accumulation of NO₂^–-N in one of the soils used.

Key Words: nitrate • nitrite • pollution • heavy metals • nitrogen transformations

¹ J. Pap. J-8829 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA 50011. Project 2112. This work was supported in part by the Rockefeller Foundation.

² Former Graduate Research Assistant and Associate Professor, respectively, Dep. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ., Ames.

Received for publication May 9, 1977.