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Phytoavailability of Biosolids Phosphorus
Author(s) -
O'Connor G. A.,
Sarkar D.,
Brinton S. R.,
Elliott H. A.,
Martin F. G.
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/jeq2004.7030
Subject(s) - biosolids , phosphorus , fertilizer , environmental science , sewage sludge , nutrient , greenhouse , agronomy , sewage treatment , chemistry , zoology , environmental chemistry , environmental engineering , biology , organic chemistry
Efficient utilization of biosolids P for agronomic purposes requires accounting for differences in the phytoavailability of P in various biosolids. Greenhouse studies were conducted with a common pasture grass grown in two P‐deficient soils amended with 12 biosolids and a commercial fertilizer (triple superphosphate, TSP) to quantify P uptake and to assess the relative phytoavailabilities of the P sources. Biosolids were grouped into three general categories of phytoavailability relative to TSP: high (>75% of TSP), moderate (25–75% of TSP), and low (<25% of TSP). Two biosolids, produced via biological phosphorus removal (BPR) processes, were in the high category, and mimicked fertilizer P with regard to P phytoavailability. Most biosolids produced by conventional wastewater and solids digestion and additional treatments like composting were in the moderate category. Also included in this category was a BPR that had been pelletized and another BPR supplemented with Al. The low category included biosolids containing greater than normal (>50 g kg −1 ) total Fe and Al concentrations and processed to high (>60%) solids content.