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Solubility of Phosphorus and Heavy Metals in Potting Media Amended with Yard Waste–Biosolids Compost
Author(s) -
Zhang M. K.,
He Z. L.,
Stoffella P. J.,
Calvert D. V.,
Yang X. E.,
Xia Y. P.,
Wilson S. B.
Publication year - 2004
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/jeq2004.3730
Subject(s) - biosolids , potting , compost , phosphorus , waste management , environmental science , heavy metals , sewage sludge , yard , chemistry , municipal solid waste , environmental chemistry , environmental engineering , sewage treatment , materials science , engineering , organic chemistry , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics
The potential risk of surface and ground water contamination by phosphorus (P) and heavy metals leached from compost‐based containerized media has become an environmental concern. Solubility and fractionation of P and heavy metals were evaluated in media containing 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% compost derived from biosolids and yard trimmings for potential impacts on the environment. As compost proportion in peat‐based media increased from 0 to 100%, concentrations of total P, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Mn in the media increased whereas concentrations of total Co and Cr decreased. Except for Cu, all heavy metals in the water‐soluble fraction decreased with increasing compost proportion in the media, because of higher Fe, Al, and Ca concentrations and pH values of the composts than the peat. When the media pH is controlled and maintained at normal range of plant growth (5.5–6.5), leaching of the heavy metals is minimal. Incorporation of compost to the peat‐based media also decreased the proportion of total P that was water‐soluble. However, concentrations of bioavailable inorganic phosphorus (NaHCO 3 –IP), readily mineralizable organic phosphorus (NaHCO 3 –OP), potentially bioavailable inorganic phosphorus (NaOH‐IP), and potentially bioavailable organic phosphorus (NaOH‐OP) were still higher in the media amended with compost because of higher total P concentration in the compost. Further study is needed to verify if less or no topdressing of chemical P fertilizer should be applied to the compost‐amended media to minimize P effect on the environment when compost‐amended potting media are used for nursery or greenhouse crop production systems.