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Application of Biosolids to Degraded Semiarid Rangeland: Nine‐Year Responses
Author(s) -
White C. S.,
Loftin S. R.,
Aguilar R.
Publication year - 1997
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/jeq1997.00472425002600060029x
Subject(s) - biosolids , rangeland , mineralization (soil science) , soil water , soil fertility , environmental chemistry , nutrient , organic matter , environmental science , agronomy , chemistry , environmental engineering , soil science , biology , agroforestry , organic chemistry
Rangeland restoration through surface application of biosolids (municipal sewage sludge) is an increasing practice. Biosolids supply both organic matter and available nutrients that are lacking in degraded rangeland soils. This study investigated the effects of biosolids applications of 0, 22.5, 45, and 90 Mg ha −1 to a degraded rangeland in 1985 on the soil chemical properties and N mineralization potentials 8 and 9 yr after the application, respectively. Following an initial increase in proportion to the application rate, levels of water‐extractable Ca, Mg, Na, nitate (NO 3 ‐N), and electrical conductivity declined to that near the control soils after 8 yr. Nearly all diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) were highest in the collection 4 yr after application, but were near concentrations in the control soil after 8 yr. Nitrogen mineralization potentials were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in the 45 and 90 Mg ha −1 applications after 9 yr, indicating that site fertility remained higher even though most soil chemical properties were returning to untreated levels.