604 Adeney — Dissolved Gases and Fermentative Changes. 



entirely absorbed as before, but the oxidized inorganic nitrogen product is 

 jjractically exactly equivalent to the ammonia absorbed. 



The oxygen consumed is practically equal to thai theoretically equivalent to the in- 

 organic oxidized products formed. 



3. Only nitric acid appears to be formed in the solutions under the stated 

 conditions. 



4. When the quantity of peaty matters is not large in proportion to that of the 

 ammonium compounds present in the solution (organic carbon being equal to 

 0'069 grammes, and ammoniacal nitrogen to O'l grammes, per 1000 c.cs.), a 

 fermentation may occur, during the earlier steps of which intermediate com- 

 binations between the peaty matters and the annuonia appear to take place, 

 since during such stages the oxidized inorganic nitrogen compounds formed are 

 not equivalent to the inorganic nitrogen taken up, while during a latter stage they 

 are found to suddenly rise in quantity, and finally to become practically equivalent 

 to it. Under these conditions the volume of carbon dioxide formed may be 

 extremely small, relatively to that of oxygen consumed, or to the quantity of 

 nitrogen oxidized. 



The volume of oxygen consumed is, under these circumstances, very much less than that 

 equivalent to the tolul oxidized inorganic products of the fermentation. 



5. With the conditions stated under 4, we find tliat the nitrogen fermentation 

 is both nitric and nitrous, the former predominating. 



6. When the solution referred to under 4 is diluted, i.e. when the proportion of 

 oxygen is increased, the other conditions remaining similar, the course of fermen- 

 tation appears to be much modified. From the fii'st a large volume of carbon 

 dioxide is formed, and the oxidized inorganic nitrogen is practically equivalent to 

 the ammonia absorbed. When further, the fermentation is pushed to completion, 

 both peaty matters and ammonia appear to undergo nearly complete oxidation to 

 inorganic products. 



The volume of oxygen consumed is, under these conditions, also very much less than that 

 equivalent to the total oxidised inorganic products of the fermentation. 



7. It is interesting to note that the nitrogen fermentation in the dilute solution 

 is both nitric and nitrous, the latter this time predominating, at least in the earlier 

 stages of the fermentation. 



For a further conclusion in reference to the subject, see p. 609. 



