Evaluation of methane generator sludge as a soil amendment
Sludge obtained from a methane generator charged with fescue hay (Festuca arundinacea L.) was evaluated as a potential soil amendment. The amounts of C, K, and Na were greater in the fescue hay than in the sludge. However, Ca, Mg, N, P, S, and Zn were more concentrated in the sludge than in the fescue hay. Air-dried sludge was mixed with a Menfro silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed mesic Typic Hapludalfs) to give 10, 20, 40, and 80 g sludge/kg. Sludge addition had no consistent effect on seed germination. The number of seeds germinating in all treatments was: corn (Zea mays L.) 89 to 98%, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) 94 to 97%, soybean ((Glycine max (L.) Merr.) 90 to 97%, and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 98 to 100%. The addition of sludge increased the quantity of water held by the Menfro soil at matrix potentials of -10, -33, and -100 kPa. Available water held between -10 and -100 kPa matrix potential increased as the amount of sludge added increased. Nutrient uptake by wheat and sorghum showed that the addition of 80 g sludge/kg was equivalent to adding 400 mg P/kg soil, but, due to the high C/N ratio, did not supply adequate N.
- OSTI ID:
- 6060860
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 13:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BIOREACTORS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
SEEDS
GERMINATION
SLUDGES
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
SOIL CONSERVATION
CARBON DIOXIDE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GLYCINE HISPIDA
MAIZE
METHANE
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS
PLANT GROWTH
SOILS
SORGHUM
UPTAKE
WHEAT
ALKANES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CEREALS
CHALCOGENIDES
DATA
ELEMENTS
GRASS
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
LEGUMINOSAE
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
320305* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management