Use of coal-ash for casuarina forest biomass production

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla., Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6363531

Riekerk, H; Kohrnak, L V

Fly-ash from a coal-fired power plant was used as an amendment for an acid flatwoods soil in north central Florida. Seedlings of Casuarina cunninghamiana grew to 3.9 m height in three growing seasons with 127 Mg/ha of dry coal-ash applied to the soil. This was 2.5 times the growth of trees on a control plot. Biomass production on the ash-amended soil was 9.8 Mg/ha and on the control was 1.4 Mg/ha. Growth on smaller plots receiving half or twice the ash amendment rate suggested proportional growth. The major environmental effect of the unweathered ash on soil and runoff water was a significant decrease in acidity because of the liming effect. The surface soil pH increased from 4.2 to 6.6 and runoff water pH increased from 4.3 to 6.1. The change in pH was due to the addition of cations and caused a higher extractability of P, As Zn, and Mn that originally were fixed in the soil. This change in mineral extractability was reflected in runoff water for P and Ca during the first year and for K, Ca, and Mg in the following years. Nitrogen in runoff was not affected by the ash treatment but Zn tended to increase in runoff water over time. 16 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 6363531
• Journal Information: Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla., Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla., Proc.; (United States) Vol. 43; ISSN SCSFA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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