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Iron Filings Cement Engineered Soil Mix
Author(s) -
Logsdon S. D.,
Sauer P. A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2015.0427
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , bioretention , cement , orange (colour) , environmental science , plant growth , iron ore , amendment , soil water , agronomy , metallurgy , chemistry , materials science , soil science , surface runoff , ecology , food science , stormwater , biology , political science , law
Engineered soil mixes are expected to maintain plant growth while minimizing nutrient leaching in greenhouse and bioretention applications. Iron (Fe) has been suggested within plant growth mixtures as a sorbent for phosphorus. The purpose of this study was to determine if Fe filings are an appropriate component of engineered plant growth mixtures. Iron filings were added to engineered soil mixes in laboratory columns, and plants were grown for 2 mo. Unfortunately, Fe filings partially cemented the engineered mixes, especially the treatment with sand and compost but no soil. After completing the study, orange and red aggregates were apparent. Although Fe filings might be useful in filter beds, they were not suitable within engineered plant growth mixes. Core Ideas Iron added to sand mix resulted in partial cementation. New red and orange aggregates were formed in the sand mix. Iron should not be added to soil mixes where plants will be grown.