Biomass production and water quality in an acidic spoil amended with Mg(OH) 2-enriched by-product gypsum
- OARDC/School of Natural Resources, Wooster, OH (United States)
Gypsum (G) and Mg (OH){sub 2} (FGD-Mg) are recovered from the thickener overflow of an experimental wet FGD scrubber in the Zimmer power plant of CINergy (Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company). The purity of recovered G ranges from almost 100 to 92%, with impurities occurring mainly as Mg(OH){sub 2}. Gypsum contaminated with Mg(OH), is referred to as Mg(OH){sub 2}-enriched by-product gypsum (Mg-G). Because of its Mg(OH){sub 2} content, Mg-G can potentially be used as a source of both Ca and Mg for green plants growing on soils and spoils with low levels of available Ca and Mg. In addition, the presence of Mg(OH){sub 2} should allow Mg-G to be used as an alkaline amendment for the reclamation of hyper-acid spoils. The total abandoned surface coal mined land needing reclamation in eastern USA has been estimated to be more than 0.5 million ha. Gypsum can reduce Al toxicity by: (1) increased ratio of Ca to Al in the soil solution, and (2) physical removal of Al from the soil profile through Ca exchange. The Mg(OH){sub 2} in Mg-G may enhance the effectiveness of these mechanisms for amelioration of phytotoxic conditions below the zone of incorporation. The presence of Mg and sulfate increases the potential for salt loading, which may enhance downward movement of Ca and Al. The purpose of this greenhouse study was to investigate the effects of G and Mg-G, at three application rates, on spoil and leachate pH and electrical conductivity (EC), and movement of major and trace elements. Preliminary observations on plant growth are also reported.
- OSTI ID:
- 430285
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960376-; ISSN 0569-3772; TRN: 97:000004-0013
- Journal Information:
- Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry, Vol. 41, Issue 2; Conference: Spring national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), New Orleans, LA (United States), 24-28 Mar 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Biomass production and water quality in an acidic spoil amendment with Mg(OH){sub 2} - enriched by-product gypsum