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Decomposition of Sewage Sludge Compost in Soil: II. Phosphorus and Sulfur Transformations
Author(s) -
Taylor J. M.,
Sikora L. J.,
Tester C. F.,
Parr J. F.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1978.00472425000700010024x
Subject(s) - compost , loam , chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , incubation , soil water , zoology , environmental chemistry , agronomy , phosphorus , nitrogen , soil science , environmental science , biology , organic chemistry , biochemistry
Laboratory incubation studies were conducted in which sewage sludge compost was mixed with three soils (Evesboro loamy sand, Christiana silty clay loam, and Fauquier silt loam) and a sand at rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6% (0, 44.8, 89.6, and 134.4 metric tons/ha, respectively) of the dry weight. The mixtures were incubated at 22°C under a flow of CO 2 ‐ and NH 3 ‐ free air. Extractable P in the compost‐sand mixtures ranged from 48 to 81% of the total P. The Evesboro‐compost‐sand mixtures showed an initial net P mineralization trend followed by a slight immobilization trend at 54 days. The Christiana‐compost mixtures had less extractable P than the Evesboro‐compost mixtures, but did show initial increase in extractable P followed by a decrease during incubation. The iron and aluminum components in the Christiana soil were probably responsible for net immobilization of extractable P. The Fauquier‐compost mixtures had the least extractable P and the highest free iron oxide content. Contrary to the other soils, the Fauquier‐compost mixture showed initial net immobilization of extractable P followed by mineralization at 54 days. Ammonium acetate extractable S in the sand‐compost mixtures was 8 to 11% of the total S. In the Evesboro‐compost mixtures extractable S increased after 54 days incubation. The Christiana‐compost mixtures immobilized extractable S early in the incubation but net mineralization of S was subsequently evident where the soil was amended with 4 and 6% compost. The Fauquier‐compost mixture had the least extractable S and had immobilization‐mineralization trends similar to the extractable P data. Both extractable P and S are in sufficient quantities at the 44.8 metric tons/ha application rate to sustain plant growth and, therefore, sewage sludge compost could be used to correct P or S deficiencies in most soils.