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Wastewater Renovation in a Slash Pine Plantation Subjected to Prescribed Burning
Author(s) -
Red Jane T.,
Nutter Wade L.
Publication year - 1986
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/jeq1986.00472425001500040007x
Subject(s) - slash pine , wastewater , environmental science , irrigation , kjeldahl method , prescribed burn , nutrient , understory , agronomy , sewage treatment , zoology , pinus <genus> , forestry , environmental engineering , chemistry , nitrogen , botany , ecology , biology , geography , organic chemistry , canopy
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.