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Forest Soil and Water Chemistry following Bark Boiler Bottom Ash Application
Author(s) -
Williams Thomas M.,
Hollis Charles A.,
Smith Bill R.
Publication year - 1996
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/jeq1996.00472425002500050005x
Subject(s) - soil water , bottom ash , leachate , wood ash , groundwater , environmental science , chemistry , environmental chemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , geology , fly ash , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Ash from the bark‐fueled power boiler at International Paper's Georgetown mill was applied in a column study and a field trial to test land application. Tested application rates were 11, 22, and 44 Mg/ha of ash per rotation. The soil column study found a flush of cations, primarily K and Ca, with the initial 76 cm of 10 −5 M oxalic acid leachate. Soils collected after field applications also had higher concentrations of exchangeable K and Ca in the surface soil. Concentrations were disproportionately larger with higher rates. There was little change in concentrations at 45‐cm depths and surface soils returned to near control levels on all sites, except those with the highest rate, within 60 wk. Groundwater samples showed very small differences that were only significant and consistent for Ca, K, and SO 4 . Heavy metal levels were near detection levels throughout the study. None of the application rates had an effect on groundwater that would compromise drinking water standards. Bark boiler ash, at application rates tested, appears to be safe on moderately well‐drained Atlantic Coastal Plain soils. The soil changes observed suggest ash application could be used to partially replace cations removed during harvest of short rotation pine plantations.