Abstract
Simple steam distillation methods are described for determination of ammonium N and nitrate N in acid KMnO4 solution used to absorb NH3, NO and NO2 evolved from soils. They involve use of MgO for distillation of ammonia and of FeSO4, Ag2SO4, and MgO for reduction of nitrate to ammonia. The methods are rapid and precise, and they permit nitrogen‐15 analysis of NH3‐N and (NO + NO2)‐N evolved from soils.