Wastewater renovation in a slash pine plantation subjected to prescribed burning

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6861019

Red, J T; Nutter, W L

Two experimental areas were established in an underdrained 16-yr-old slash pine (Pinus elliottii Mor.) plantation land treatment system receiving 2.5 cm/week of secondarily treated domestic wastewater. One of the experimental areas was subjected to a prescribed burn as a forest management practice. A high degree of wastewater renovation was achieved and the prescribed burn had no significant effect on wastewater renovation. Forest floor storage of K, Ca, Mg, and P was significantly increased from pretreatment levels due to wastewater irrigation. Prescribed burning had no effect on forest floor nutrient storage. Soil concentrations of total and available P, Ca, Mg, and K increased significantly in the surface soil horizon due to wastewater irrigation. Additional increases in the surface soil horizon of total P, Ca, Mg, and K concentration occurred due to burning. Wastewater irrigation resulted in significant reductions in soil acidity and total-Kjeldahl N concentration in the surface horizon. Prescribed burning altered species composition and density of the understory. No significant differences in overstory nutrient storage were observed due to treatment.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Georgia, Athens
• OSTI ID: 6861019
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 15:4; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CALCIUM
CONIFERS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FIRES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRRIGATION
LIQUID WASTES
MAGNESIUM
METALS
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS
PINES
PLANTS
POTASSIUM
SOILS
TREES
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER