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A theoretical approach to the assessment of boron phytotoxicity resulting from the amelioration of minespoil with pulverised fuel ash
Author(s) -
Perkins P. V.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-145x(199609)7:3<239::aid-ldr229>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - boron , adsorption , soil water , context (archaeology) , phytotoxicity , langmuir , environmental science , plough , freundlich equation , chemistry , land reclamation , environmental chemistry , moisture , pulp and paper industry , soil science , agronomy , geology , organic chemistry , history , paleontology , archaeology , engineering , biology
A badly compacted and highly acidic minespoil was ameliorated by ploughing and by the application of 10 per cent by weight of pulverised fuel ash (PFA). The main plant growth benefits resulting from the addition of the PFA were a significant reduction in acidity and a reduction in the bulk density. However, the PFA introduced cold‐water‐soluble boron at levels likely to be phytotoxic for a period of about 3 years. Using the boron adsorption characteristics of the minespoil derived from the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms, concentration‐adsorption‐moisture (CAM) equations were utilized to calculate the boron concentration of the minespoil at different depths within the profile. The calculated boron concentration was related to possible phytotoxic effects and the implications for revegetation of the site as part of reclamation work. The wider implications of this theoretical approach to the mathematical description of soil boron concentration are also discussed in the context of plant growth on PFA disposal sites, PFA‐containing substrates, high‐boron saline soils and soils irrigated with high‐boron water.