Electromigration of Nitrates in Soil
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 122, Issue 5
Abstract
Migration of chemicals in soils to surface or ground water has become a serious threat in many agricultural regions, with nitrates affecting the broadest area due to intensive fertilization and nitrate solubility. This project evaluated electroreclamation utilizing subsurface horizontal drainage tubing and parallel electrodes to concentrate and remove nitrates from soil. Nitrate concentration in saturated soil tended to increase from anode to cathode after the application of a small direct-current electrical field as the nitrate solution moved toward the cathode. When soil moisture content dropped below the saturation level, the nitrate began to migrate toward the anode. Research is recommended to evaluate the effect of a broader range of electrical parameters and analyze the feasibility of commercial application.
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Copyright © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Published online: Oct 1, 1996
Published in print: Oct 1996
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