Glossary of terms on livestock manure management 2003 - Ramiran

RAMIRAN <strong>Glossary</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>terms</strong> on manure management 2003 48
IMMOBILISATION
DENITRIFICATION
NITRIFICATION
MINERALISATION
Process whereby PLANT NUTRIENTS in inorganic form are
converted to organic forms by incorporation into microorganisms.
These nutrients are then temporarily unavailable for
PLANT UPTAKE.
The transformation, most commonly by bacteria, <strong>of</strong> NITRATES
to NITROUS OXIDE and nitrogen gas. An ANAEROBIC
process that occurs in soils and in MANURE STORES and in
some TREATMENT methods, after a NITRIFICATION period.
The transformation by bacteria <strong>of</strong> AMMONIUM nitrogen to
nitrites and then to NITRATES. An AEROBIC process that may
occur in soils and during AERATION <strong>of</strong> LIQUID MANURES.
The transformation by microorganisms <strong>of</strong> organic compounds
to inorganic compounds e.g. in soils, stored MANURES.
AMMONIFICATION Process by which some soil organisms, "ammonifiers", convert
organic nitrogen, e.g. in soils, MANURES, to ammonium ions.
ACIDIFICATION
The process by which soil or surface waters become increasing
acid (lower pH) e.g. through DEPOSITION <strong>of</strong> AMMONIA or
sulphur dioxide or NO x .
EUTROPHICATION Process <strong>of</strong> NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT in water or,
occasionally, soil, resulting in oxygen depletion in aquatic
ecosystems, in loss <strong>of</strong> biodiversity etc.
NUTRIENT
ENRICHMENT
RUN-OFF
An excess <strong>of</strong> nutrient input into an ecosystem, which in
sensitive ecosystems results in EUTROPHICATION.
The flow <strong>of</strong> rainfall, irrigation water, liquid manure etc. over
land. RUN-OFF can cause pollution by transporting pollutants
e.g. in MANURES to surface waters.
OVERLAND FLOW RUN-OFF
LEACHING
AMMONIA
VOLATILISATION
DEPOSITION
The loss <strong>of</strong> soluble elements and compounds from soil in
drainage water to the aqueous environment including
GROUND WATER. This applies especially to NITRATE
LEACHING.
The process by which AMMONIA gas is released from a
solution
The transfer <strong>of</strong> a pollutant e.g. AMMONIA from the atmosphere
to a terrestrial sink such as land, water or plants.
• Dry DEPOSITION. DEPOSITION as a gas or particles.
• Wet DEPOSITION. DEPOSITION in precipitation
(rainfall, snow)