SurfMin: Paper mill sludge

NTIS Accession No: NTIS List Price:

Title of Report:

EVALUATION OF PRIMARY PAPERMILL SLUDGE AS A SOIL AMENDMENT IN LIGNITE MINE

RECLAMATION (May 1992) 120pp.

Performing Organization Name and Address:

Louisiana State University.

Type of Report: M.S. Thesis, Agronomy

Abstract:

A field experiment was initiated to evaluate primary papermill sludge as a soil

amendment for lignite mine reclamation. Treatments consisted of primary

papermill sludge (0, 11.2, 22.4, and 112 Mg/ha), fertilizer, and lime in various

combinations grown on an Arent. Selected soil chemistry and plant tissue

analysis were used to compare the mine soil treatments. The site was located in

southern DeSoto Parish and planted to common bermudagrass (Cyanodon dactylon

(L.) Pers.) on May 31, 1989.

Fertilizer was necessary for successful revegetation. Although not significant,

yields obtained with 22.4 Mg/ha sludge + twice the recommended rate of

fertilizer (22.4+Fx2) were greater than all other treatments. Recommended

fertilizer rates proved unsuccessful in obtaining critical N concentrations

(2.0-2.5%). This is presumably due to low microbial populations, net

immobilization, and inherently low N levels. Protein concentrations of the

forage were significantly greater in treatments receiving sludge alone compared

to sludge + Fx2. Concentrations of Mn were significantly greater while Al and

Na were significantly less than reported optimal levels.

Overall, treatments had no significant effect upon the soil chemistry parameters

with the exception of %base and %Al saturation. The pH decreased with depth and

time while total acidity increased. Base saturation in 22.4 Mg/ha sludge

treatment was significantly less than either the recommended rate of

fertilizer+lime or 11.2 Mg/ha sludge+twice the recommended rate of fertilizer,

while %Al saturation was opposite. Extractable P increased indicating that

immobilization, Al, Fe and inherently low N levels were declining. Exchangeable

Na and Mg decreased while Ca increased significantly with time. Water

extractable elements (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, S, K and Na) responded to precipitation

patterns. The DTPA-TEA extractable Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn were greater in the 15-45

cm depths. Levels of organic C increased with initial papermill sludge

application, but have leveled off.

Keywords:

Forage,papermill sludge,bermudagrass,and groundcover

Author(s)

Troy A. Brady