Nitrogen Forms and Heavy Metals Leachability Following Biosolids Application to Sandy Soil. | ||
| Minia Journal of Agricultural Research and Development | ||
| Volume 44, Issue 3, September 2024, Pages 423-453 PDF (1.33 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Articles | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjard.2024.376041 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Leaching poses a significant concern in dry regions with sandy soils due to their inherent characteristics of low fertility, coarse texture, very low organic matter content, and limited water retention capacity. The aim of this research was to minimize environmental consequences of applying biosolids compost at high rates to sandy soils under arid conditions in terms of inorganic nitrogen and heavy metals pollution. This investigation used a pot experiment that was incubated at a constant temperature (25 0C) and comprised four application rates (0.0, 20, 40, and 60 t/ha) of compost, two methods of application (mulching and incorporating) and two intermittent irrigation intervals (3 and 6 days). Results of this experiment revealed that the nitrate concentration in soil leachate exceeded 50 mg/L, a value considered highly poisonous if it exists in drinking water. Ammonia concentrations exceeded 20 mg/L in the second leachate fraction but decreased to under detection limits in the last fifteen leachate fractions for all compost treatments. The suggested maximum contamination level for groundwater is 1.5 mg NH4-N-1. NO3-N concentrations in all soil leachate fractions were substantially above the acceptable threshold in drinking water for people (10 mg/L) but far below the recommended level in drinking water for cattle (100 mg/L). The findings provided strong evidence that the environment is well safeguarded in terms of heavy metal concentrations in the soil leachate. From this research, it may be stated that high loading rates of excellent quality compost to sandy soils is agronomically advantageous with little potential environmental harm if handled effectively. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Biosolids Compost; Nitrate; Ammonia; heavy Metals | ||
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