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 Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chao, T.-T. Articles by Kroontje, W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Chao, T.-T. Articles by Kroontje, W. Agricola Articles by Chao, T.-T. Articles by Kroontje, W.

Inorganic Nitrogen Oxidations in Relation to Associated Changes in Free Energy¹

ABSTRACT

Free energy changes of inorganic nitrogen oxidations in acid and basic media are calculated, interrelated, and used to interpret some research data reported in the literature. The data obtained indicate that hyponitrous acid and nitrous oxide may be considered intermediates in nitrification, however, the existence of hydroxylamine as an intermediate between ammonia and/or ammonium ion and nitrite is not supported by the calculations obtained. It is shown that in acid solutions nitrite may undergo three reactions: it may decompose to nitric oxide and nitrite, oxidize to nitrate, or be reduced to nitrous oxide; in alkaline solutions nitrate seems to be the only product. Nitrous oxide may evolve under aerobic conditions from the decomposition of hyponitrous acid and under anaerobic conditions from the interaction of intermediate products, hydroxylamine, and nitrite.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg.

² Formerly graduate research assistant in Agronomy, now Professor of Physical Science, State Teachers College, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Associate Professor of Agronomy, respectively.

Received for publication March 21, 1962. Accepted for publication May 8, 1962.