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Low‐Contaminant Jarosite Waste as a Fertilizer Amendment
Author(s) -
Kanabo I.A.K.,
Gilkes R.J.
Publication year - 1992
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/jeq1992.00472425002100040024x
Subject(s) - amendment , fertilizer , jarosite , soil water , chemistry , agronomy , potash , greenhouse , environmental science , environmental chemistry , mineralogy , biology , political science , soil science , law
Low‐contaminant jarosite (LCJ), with 1.1% N, 4.7% Zn, and 11% S, is a potential fertilizer source, but its use may create toxic conditions. This material was compared with standard fertilizers in glasshouse experiments and the effect of the application of jarosite to soils on the concentrations of heavy metals in plants was also investigated. On the basis of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yields, LCJ is about 5% as effective in supply N as NH 4 NO 3 . On the basis of Zn concentration in plant tops, LCJ was about 80% as effective as ZnSO 4 in supplying Zn to wheat. Based on S concentrations in clover ( Trifolium spp.) tops, LCJ was 30 and 60% as effective as CaSO 4 in supplying S on light and heavy‐textured soils, respectively. Application of LCJ to soils resulted in elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn in plant tissue. The increase in Cd concentration was such that it is unlikely that LCJ could be recommended as a fertilizer for plants grown for human or animal consumption.