Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Fate of urine nitrogen through a volcanic vadose zone

G. F. Barkle A D , R. Stenger B and Th. Wöhling B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Aqualinc Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand, Private Bag 14-041, Enderley, Hamilton 3252, New Zealand.

B Lincoln Agritech, Private Bag 3062, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.

C Water and Earth System Science Competence Cluster (WESS), University of Tübingen, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz, 72074 Tübingen, Germany.

D Corresponding author. Email: G.Barkle@Aqualinc.co.nz

Soil Research 52(7) 658-670 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13282
Submitted: 30 September 2013  Accepted: 3 June 2014   Published: 10 October 2014

Abstract

To investigate the fate of nitrogen (N) from urine, dairy cow urine was amended with bromide (Br) and chloride (Cl), and applied onto a loamy sand soil with an underlying vadose zone of gritty coarse sands and pumice fragments with groundwater at ~5.5 m depth. Textural changes and hydrophobicity resulted in heterogeneous flow and high variability in the Cl, Br and N masses captured. Three forms of N derived from the urine, organic-N (org-N), ammonium-N (NH4-N) and nitrate-N (NO3-N), were measured at 0.4 m depth. At 1.0 m depth, effectively all measured N was NO3-N. At 4.2 m, the mass of recovered N (average 33% of applied N, s.d. 21%), although solely speciated as NO3-N, was not significantly different from that at 0.4 m (average 24.5% of applied N, s.d. 0.1%), suggesting that no substantial assimilation of NO3-N had occurred in this vadose zone. Below the interface of the Taupo Ignimbrite and the Palaeosol at 4.2 m depth, recoveries of the Cl and Br tracers were negligible. In addition, the isotopic signatures (δ18O and δ15N) of the nitrate were different and the NO3-N concentrations were higher than in the upper vadose zone. These results all suggest that the Palaeosol was acting as a hydraulically limiting layer resulting in lateral unsaturated flow occurring at this interface. The fact that no nitrate assimilation was observed in this field study, despite previous laboratory studies showing substantial assimilative capacity, underlines that that the nitrate assimilative capacity in the vadose zone is a function of both hydrological and biogeochemical factors.

Additional keywords: AETL, chloride tracer, hydraulic barrier, lateral movement.


References

APHA (1998) Ion chromatography with chemical suppression of eluent conductivity. In ‘Standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater’. 20th edn (American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation: Washington, DC)

APHA (2005) ‘Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater.’ 21st edn (American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation: Washington, DC)

Baisden WT, Mudge P, Schipper L, Wells N, Clough T, Ghani A, Wassenaar L, Douence C (2012) Progress in the development of isotopic indicators for land-to-water nitrogen transfers in New Zealand. In ‘Adding to the knowledge base for the nutrient manager’. Occasional Report No. 24. (Eds LD Currie, CL Christensen) (Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Massey University: Palmerston North, New Zealand) Available at: http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html.

Barkle GF, Clough T, Stenger R (2007) Denitrification capacity in the vadose zone at three sites in the Lake Taupo Catchment, New Zealand. Australian Journal of Soil Research 45, 91–99.
Denitrification capacity in the vadose zone at three sites in the Lake Taupo Catchment, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXjsFygurg%3D&md5=d0364a56185773cc5d89fe62293794feCAS |

Barkle GF, Wöhling Th, Stenger R, Mertens J, Moorhead B, Wall A, Clague J (2011) Automated equilibrium pressure head lysimeters for measuring water fluxes through a layered, volcanic vadose zone profile in New Zealand. Vadose Zone Journal 10, 747–759.
Automated equilibrium pressure head lysimeters for measuring water fluxes through a layered, volcanic vadose zone profile in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Barkle GF, Wöhling T, Stenger R (2013) Variability of unsaturated bromide fluxes as measured through a layered volcanic vadose zone in New Zealand. Hydrological Processes
Variability of unsaturated bromide fluxes as measured through a layered volcanic vadose zone in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | in press.

Barns S, Young J (2012) Cap-and-trade of diffuse emissions of nitrogen in Lake Taupo Catchment. Reviewing the policy decisions and the market. Waikato Regional Council Technical Report 2013/34. Available at: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/27778/TR201334.pdf

Bristow AW, Whitehead DC, Cockburn JE (1992) Nitrogenous constituents in the urine of cattle, sheep and goats. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 59, 387–394.
Nitrogenous constituents in the urine of cattle, sheep and goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XmsVyqt7Y%3D&md5=1e7da62552a5af41e7b2be51b4dc5e68CAS |

Burns D, Boyer EW, Elliott EM, Kendall C (2009) Sources and transformations of nitrate from streams draining varying land uses: evidence from dual isotopes. Journal of Environmental Quality 38, 1149–1159.
Sources and transformations of nitrate from streams draining varying land uses: evidence from dual isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXlvVGiu78%3D&md5=2bbbeb1ec6195e4ad5438fc47586e8f5CAS | 19398512PubMed |

Carran RA, Ball P, Theobald PW, Collins MEG (1982) Soil nitrogen balances in urine-affected areas under two moisture regimes in Southland. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 10, 377–381.

Casciotti KL, Sigman DM, Galanter M, Hastings J, Böhlke K, Hilkert A (2002) Measurement of the oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate in seawater and freshwater using the denitrifier method. Analytical Chemistry 74, 4905–4912.
Measurement of the oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate in seawater and freshwater using the denitrifier method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XmslGgu70%3D&md5=f563ced3f4c7b9523ce83579c0580b49CAS | 12380811PubMed |

Clague JC, Stenger R, Clough TJ (2013) The impact of relict organic materials on the denitrification capacity in the unsaturated–saturated zone continuum of three volcanic profiles. Journal of Environmental Quality 42, 145–154.
The impact of relict organic materials on the denitrification capacity in the unsaturated–saturated zone continuum of three volcanic profiles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXmvVaktL4%3D&md5=82d156dc6ebfa957fdad608f811f50d4CAS | 23673749PubMed |

Dann R, Thomas S, Waterland H, Flintoft M, Close M (2013) Nitrate and nitrous oxide dynamics under urine application in an alluvial gravel vadose zone. Vadose Zone Journal 12,
Nitrate and nitrous oxide dynamics under urine application in an alluvial gravel vadose zone.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXktlWhs70%3D&md5=185f40283bc8f38a328e407bf7c795f8CAS |

Dekker LW, Ritsema CJ (2000) Wetting patterns and moisture variability in water repellent Dutch soils. Journal of Hydrology 231–232, 148–164.
Wetting patterns and moisture variability in water repellent Dutch soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Di HJ, Cameron KC (2002) The use of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), to decrease nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in a simulated grazed and irrigated grassland. Soil Use and Management 18, 395–403.
The use of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), to decrease nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in a simulated grazed and irrigated grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Di HJ, Cameron KC, Silva RG, Russell JM, Barnett JW (2002) A lysimeter study of the fate of 15N‐labelled nitrogen in cow urine with or without farm dairy effluent in a grazed dairy pasture soil under flood irrigation. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 45, 235–244.
A lysimeter study of the fate of 15N‐labelled nitrogen in cow urine with or without farm dairy effluent in a grazed dairy pasture soil under flood irrigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhtVykt7c%3D&md5=7654e011cc4a65a54ab40e091eb88e51CAS |

Elliot AH, Stroud MJ (2001) Prediction of nutrient loads entering Lake Taupo under various land use scenarios. NIWA Client Report EVW01224. NIWA, Hamilton. Updated by Waikato Regional Council in January 2004.

Fang Y, Koba K, Makabe A, Zhu F, Fan S, Liu X, Yoh M (2012) Low δ18O values of nitrate produced from nitrification in temperate forest soils. Environmental Science & Technology 46, 8723–8730.
Low δ18O values of nitrate produced from nitrification in temperate forest soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtVCmt77N&md5=27fcec9e5353788389f81a70d9b60493CAS |

Fraser PM, Cameron KC, Sherlock RR (1994) Lysimeter study of the fate of nitrogen in animal urine returns to irrigated pasture. European Journal of Soil Science 45, 439–447.
Lysimeter study of the fate of nitrogen in animal urine returns to irrigated pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXltlamsrs%3D&md5=ad3836ecdbe321470e0570f2c1f3acdeCAS |

Halford K (2004) More data required. Ground Water 42, 477
More data required.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXlslWqu70%3D&md5=9f04a6aecabcb27f28374ee551d27fb3CAS | 15318767PubMed |

Hewitt AE (2010) ‘New Zealand Soil Classification.’ 3rd edn. Landcare Research Science Series No. 1. (Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research: Lincoln, New Zealand)

Hogg DE (1968) Lysimeter studies of potassium losses from urine applied to pasture. In ‘9th International Congress of Soil Science’. Adelaide, SA, Vol. 2. (Ed. JW Holmes) pp. 631–638. (Elsevier Publishing Co. Inc.: New York/International Society of Soil Science)

Holt R, Nicholl M (2004) Uncertainty in vadose zone flow and transport predictions. Vadose Zone Journal 3, 480–484.
Uncertainty in vadose zone flow and transport predictions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Katou H, Clothier BE, Green SR (1996) Anion transport involving competitive adsorption during transient water flow in an Andisol. Soil Science Society of America Journal 60, 1368–1375.
Anion transport involving competitive adsorption during transient water flow in an Andisol.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XlvFCjt7g%3D&md5=a212f349bc177c3e38f6cbe14e89e1e8CAS |

Kowall JS (2001) ‘Vadose zone science and technology roadmap: A national program of research and development.’ (United States Department of Energy, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory: Idaho Falls, ID)

Ledgard SF, Saunders WMH (1982) Effects of nitrogen fertiliser and urine on pasture performance and the influence of soil phosphorus and potassium status. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 25, 541–547.
Effects of nitrogen fertiliser and urine on pasture performance and the influence of soil phosphorus and potassium status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Menneer JC, Ledgard SF, Sprosen MS (2008) Soil N process inhibitors alter nitrogen leaching dynamics in a pumice soil. Australian Journal of Soil Research 46, 323–331.
Soil N process inhibitors alter nitrogen leaching dynamics in a pumice soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXns1Okt7o%3D&md5=044b3c8a0ba78e40d60ba3be0609b9e8CAS |

NIWA (2005) Lake Taupo Long-Term Monitoring Programme 2003–2004: Including Two Additional Sites. National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd Client Report HAM2005-006, February 2005.

Pakrou N, Dillon P (1995) Preferential flow, nitrogen transformations and δ15N balance under urine-affected areas of irrigated and non-irrigated clover-based pastures. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 20, 329–347.
Preferential flow, nitrogen transformations and δ15N balance under urine-affected areas of irrigated and non-irrigated clover-based pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXhtVSgt7zJ&md5=547eb423f3ee270e049aef90e64db43dCAS |

Parfitt RL (1980) Chemical properties of variable charge soils. In ‘Soils with variable charge’. (Ed. BKG Theng) (New Zealand Society of Soil Science: Lower Hutt, New Zealand)

Peng T, Lin H, Wang C, Liu T, Kao S (2012) Pollution and variation of stream nitrate in a protected high-mountain watershed of Central Taiwan: evidence from nitrate concentration and nitrogen and oxygen isotope compositions. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 184, 4985–4998.
Pollution and variation of stream nitrate in a protected high-mountain watershed of Central Taiwan: evidence from nitrate concentration and nitrogen and oxygen isotope compositions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtVSlsrfM&md5=5c9fabe5a7fea07a0281a1b307edacf9CAS | 21931950PubMed |

Radcliffe JE (1974) Seasonal distribution of pasture in New Zealand: I. Methods of measurement. New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture 2, 337–340.

Rijkse W (2005) Report on Oruanui loamy sand profile, Waihora Station. Prepared for Lincoln Ventures Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Schnabel RR, Stout WL, Schaffer JA (1995) Uptake of a hydrologic tracer (bromide) by ryegrass from well and poorly drained soils. Journal of Environmental Quality 24, 888–892.
Uptake of a hydrologic tracer (bromide) by ryegrass from well and poorly drained soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXot1Wks7o%3D&md5=bcfc338710e0e71412e0833f78b774b2CAS |

Shepherd M, Menneer J, Ledgard S, Sarathchandra U (2010) Application of carbon additives to reduce nitrogen leaching from cattle urine patches on pasture. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 263–280.
Application of carbon additives to reduce nitrogen leaching from cattle urine patches on pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtFWnsLfF&md5=3af05315fdc18b82cc9353f179bbb4ebCAS |

Shepherd MA, Phillip P, Snow VO (2011) ‘The challenge of late summer urine patches in the Waikato region.’ Occasional Report No. 24. (Eds LD Currie, CL Christensen) (Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Massey University: Palmerston North, New Zealand)

Sigman DM, Casciotti KL, Andreani M, Barford C, Galanter M, Böhlke JK (2001) A bacterial method for the nitrogen isotopic analysis of nitrate in seawater and freshwater. Analytical Chemistry 73, 4145–4153.
A bacterial method for the nitrogen isotopic analysis of nitrate in seawater and freshwater.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlsVSrs74%3D&md5=85a51dca24dc464e6511801e9fd5b2f0CAS | 11569803PubMed |

Silva RG, Cameron KC, Di HJ, Hendry T (1999) A lysimeter study of the impact of cow urine, dairy shed effluent, and nitrogen fertiliser on nitrate-N leaching. Australian Journal of Soil Research 37, 357–369.
A lysimeter study of the impact of cow urine, dairy shed effluent, and nitrogen fertiliser on nitrate-N leaching.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Singleton MJ, Roberts S, Moran JE, Esser B (2011) California GAMA Domestic Wells: Nitrate and water isotopic data for Tulare Country. Final Report for the California State Water Resources Control Board. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA. LLNL-TR-450497.

Soil Survey Staff (2010) ‘Keys to Soil Taxonomy.’ 11th edn (USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service: Washington, DC)

Stenger R, Barkle GF, Burgess C, Wall A, Clague J (2008) Low nitrate-N contamination of shallow groundwater in spite of intensive dairying: the effect of reducing conditions in the vadose zone – aquifer continuum. Journal of Hydrology 47, 1–24.

Vant W, Gibbs M (2006) Nitrogen and phosphorus in Taupo Rainfall. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2006/46.

Wada K, Okamura Y (1980) Electric charge characteristics of Ando A1 and buried A1 soils. Journal of Soil Science 31, 307–314.
Electric charge characteristics of Ando A1 and buried A1 soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Werisch S (2010) Characterisation on non-uniform flow at the Spydia experimental site. Diplom Hydrologe Technische, Universität Dresden, Germany.

Whitehead DC, Raistrick N (1993) The volatilization of ammonia from cattle urine applied to soils as influenced by soil properties. Plant and Soil 148, 43–51.
The volatilization of ammonia from cattle urine applied to soils as influenced by soil properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXitFWqsr8%3D&md5=2014cd6cc007d5dc2be97502da10db13CAS |

Williams PH, Hedley MJ, Gregg PE (1990) The effect of preferential flow of dairy cow urine and simulated rainfall on movement of potassium through undisturbed topsoil cores. Australian Journal of Soil Research 28, 857–868.
The effect of preferential flow of dairy cow urine and simulated rainfall on movement of potassium through undisturbed topsoil cores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXht1Skt78%3D&md5=1fe2fe97d16828f0c87105a8353bb22eCAS |

Wöhling Th, Vrugt JA, Barkle GF (2008) Comparison of three multiobjective algorithms for inverse modeling of vadose zone hydraulic properties. Soil Science Society of America Journal 72, 305–319.
Comparison of three multiobjective algorithms for inverse modeling of vadose zone hydraulic properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wöhling Th, Schütze N, Heinrich B, Simunek J, Barkle GF (2009) Three-dimensional modeling of multiple Automated Equilibrium Tension Lysimeters to measure vadose zone fluxes. Vadose Zone Journal 8, 1051–1063.
Three-dimensional modeling of multiple Automated Equilibrium Tension Lysimeters to measure vadose zone fluxes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wöhling Th, Bidwell V, Barkle GF (2012) Dual-tracer, non-equilibrium mixing cell modelling and uncertainty analysis for unsaturated bromide and chloride transport. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 140-141, 150–163.

Woodward SJR, Stenger R, Bidwell V (2013) Dynamic analysis of stream flow and water chemistry to infer subsurface water and nitrate fluxes in a lowland dairying catchment. Journal of Hydrology 505, 299–311.
Dynamic analysis of stream flow and water chemistry to infer subsurface water and nitrate fluxes in a lowland dairying catchment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhslymurnO&md5=6c84b37986694a5302a2b8137f57aa05CAS |