Effects of by-product sulfuric acid on phyto availability of nutrients in irrigated calcareous, saline-sodic soils
Sulfuric acid (H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/) is produced during the SO/sub 2/ scrubbing process at Cu smelters, and ''spent'' H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ is a waste product from oil refineries. A 2-year field study was conducted on two irrigated soils high in salts and Na in southcentral Montana to evaluate the effectiveness of H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ for improving nutrient availability and growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Treatments included several rates of smelter acid, and comparisons with gypsum (CaSO/sub 4/ x 2H/sub 2/O), spent acid, and feedlot cattle manure in combination with smelter acid. Levels of P, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were measured in the soil, and plant uptake of these elements plus N, K, Ca, Mg, and Na were determined for the second-year harvest. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was measured in soil extract from the 0- to 5-cm layer at harvest. Sulfuric acid was an effective amendment for improving soil nutrient availability, barley dry-matter yield, nutrient uptake, and for reducing SAR and plant uptake of Na. Both smelter acid and spent acid were similar in their effects. Equivalent rates of gypsum and H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ compared in this research were similar for increasing soil Zn, Cu, and Mn availability and for increasing nutrient uptake and barley yield. Sulfuric acid, but not gypsum, increased available soil P and Fe levels. Sulfuric acid used in combination with manure provided a substantial additional increase in available soil P, Zn, and Mn over acid used alone. The manure-plus-acid treatment raised available P in the surface 20 cm of soil from an initial level of 5 mg/kg to a level adequate for good crop growth (ca. 24 mg/kg). Manure plus H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ produced the highest barley yield and nutrient uptake. 22 references.
- Research Organization:
- Montana State Univ., Bozeman
- OSTI ID:
- 6889572
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 13:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BARLEY
PRODUCTIVITY
COPPER
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
MANGANESE
SULFURIC ACID
GROUND DISPOSAL
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
ZINC
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
FERTILIZERS
IRON
MAGNESIUM
MANURES
NITROGEN
PHOSPHORUS
POTASSIUM
SODIUM
SOILS
UPTAKE
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CEREALS
ELEMENTS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
MANAGEMENT
METALS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC WASTES
PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
320305* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management
553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology