Abstract
Abstract Fixation of the ammonium ion (NH4 +) by clay minerals is an alternate way of building the nitrogen (N) pool in soil to optimize N crop recovery and minimize losses. Clay minerals (illite, montmorillonite, and vermiculite) and an illitic Portnoeuf soil were used to compare NH4 + fixation abilities. Total N determination and X‐ray diffraction analysis were performed on each of the minerals and the Portnoeuf soil controls, and NH4 + saturated batches were subsequently desorbed by potassium chloride (KCl) after 4096 hours. Total N was determined for each employing either Kjeldahl digestion only, or pretreating with hydrofluoric‐hydrochloric acid (HF‐HCl) before the Kjeldahl digestion. The total N for the soil was 38% more after pretreatment with HF‐HCl. The total N determined after pretreatment with HF‐HCl for the NH4 + saturated and subsequently KCl desorbed minerals was found to be highest in vermiculite. The cation exchange acapacity (CEC) of each of the minerals was determined, and highest CEC wa...
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