HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Smith, J. H. Articles by Miller, J. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Smith, J. H. Articles by Miller, J. B. Agricola Articles by Smith, J. H. Articles by Miller, J. B.

Redox Potentials in a Cropped Potato Processing Waste Water Disposal Field with a Deep Water Table¹

ABSTRACT

Redox potential measurements were made in a field irrigated with potato processing waste water at seven depths of 5 to 150 cm for 14 mo. Irrigation with canal water mixed with waste water in the summer, and with waste water in the winter, decreased redox potentials in the field at some depths for a short time but not enough to cause denitrification. However, as the soil temperature increased in the spring, and decomposition of the accumulated waste organic matter accelerated, redox potentials decreased after each irrigation at all observed depths. During April, redox potentials low enough to promote denitrification (below +225 mV) at 90-, 120-, and 150-cm depths in the soil persisted for 2 weeks. Irrigation with nondiluted waste water in June and July decreased redox potentials and denitrification occurred for up to 3 days after irrigations. As the soil temperature increased in the spring, nitrification of accumulated organic matter increased soil nitrates. Waste water irrigations from April to July promoted denitriflcation, removing most of the nitrate from the soil, and thereby decreasing the potential for ground water pollution.

Key Words: denitrification • flood irrigation • nitrogen • nitrate • ground water pollution

¹ Contribution from the SEA-USDA. This research was supported in part by a grant from the Idaho Potato Commission.

² Soil Scientist, Snake River Conserv. Res. Center, Kimberly, ID 83341, Research Microbiologist, and Biological Science, Technician, U.S. Water Conserv. Lab., Phoenix, AZ 85040, respectively.

Received for publication December 24, 1977.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. van Bochove, S. Beauchemin, and G. Theriault Continuous Multiple Measurement of Soil Redox Potential Using Platinum Microelectrodes Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., November 1, 2002; 66(6): 1813 - 1820. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]