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Leachate Chemistry of Field‐Weathered Spent Mushroom Substrate
Author(s) -
Guo Mingxin,
Chorover Jon,
Rosario Rex,
Fox Richard H.
Publication year - 2001
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/jeq2001.3051699x
Subject(s) - leachate , dissolved organic carbon , weathering , leaching (pedology) , chemistry , environmental chemistry , soil water , snowmelt , environmental science , geology , surface runoff , soil science , ecology , geomorphology , biology
Passive leaching by rainfall and snowmelt is a popular method to treat piles of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) before its reuse. During this field weathering process, leachate percolates into the underlying soils. A field study was conducted to examine the chemistry of SMS leachate and effects of infiltration. Two SMS piles were deposited (90 and 150 cm in height) over a Typic Hapludult and weathered for 24 mo. Leachate was collected biweekly using passive capillary samplers. The SMS leachate contained high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC; 0.8–11.0 g L −1 ), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON; 0.1–2 g L −1 ), and inorganic salts. The pH, electrical conductivity, and acid neutralizing capacity were 6.6 to 9.0, 21 to 66 ds m −1 , and 10 to 75 mmol c L −1 , respectively. Inorganic chemistry of the leachate was dominated by K + , Cl − , and SO 2− 4 Leachate DOC was predominantly low molecular weight (<1000 Da) organic acids. During 2 yr of weathering, the 90‐cm SMS pile released (per cubic meter of SMS) 3.0 kg of DOC, 1.6 kg of dissolved N, and 26.6 kg of inorganic salts. The 150‐cm pile released (per cubic meter of SMS) 2.8 kg of DOC, 0.7 kg of dissolved N, and 13.6 kg of inorganic salts. The 150‐cm pile retained more water and exhibited lower net nitrification compared with the 90‐cm pile. The top 90 cm of soil retained 20 to 89% of the leachate solutes. Weathering of SMS in piles of 90 cm depth or greater may adversely affect ground water quality.