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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
Published on: March 21, 2016
Ammonia volatilization in soil treated with tannery sludge
A M Martines1, M A Nogueira, C A Santos
1Universidade de São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Departamento de Ciência do Solo, CEP 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Tannery sludge application in tropical soils leads to significant nitrogen loss through ammonia volatilization, averaging 17.5% of applied nitrogen. These losses are most intense in the first 30 days after application.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Tannery sludge is a potential agricultural amendment for disposal and recycling.
- Ammonia volatilization from tannery sludge application in tropical soils is not well-documented.
- Soil nitrogen management is crucial for crop productivity and environmental quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify ammonia (NH3) volatilization from tannery sludge applied to agricultural soil in a tropical region.
- To evaluate the kinetics of ammonia volatilization using the Michaelis-Menten equation.
- To determine the proportion of nitrogen loss via ammonia volatilization.
Main Methods:
- A two-year field experiment was conducted in Rolândia, Paraná State, Brazil.
- Tannery sludge was applied at varying total nitrogen (N) doses (0-1200 kg ha⁻¹) and surface-maintained for 89 days.
- Ammonia volatilization kinetics were modeled using the Michaelis-Menten equation, and losses were quantified over time.
Main Results:
- Michaelis-Menten kinetics adequately described NH3-N volatilization, with a high determination coefficient (0.87).
- Ammonia volatilization was most intense during the initial 30 days post-application.
- Average total nitrogen loss via ammonia volatilization was 17.5% of applied N and 35% of NH4+-N in the sludge.
Conclusions:
- Surface application of tannery sludge in tropical soils results in substantial ammonia volatilization, impacting nitrogen availability for crops.
- Nitrogen loss estimates must account for ammonia volatilization when using tannery sludge as a fertilizer.
- Further research is needed to optimize tannery sludge application strategies to minimize nitrogen losses in tropical agricultural systems.
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