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The Effects of Long‐term Application of Organic Amendments on Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation
Author(s) -
Li Jinling,
Evanylo Gregory K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj2012.0306
Subject(s) - biosolids , loam , compost , poultry litter , soil water , amendment , total organic carbon , environmental science , soil conditioner , soil carbon , environmental chemistry , chemistry , agronomy , soil science , environmental engineering , nutrient , biology , organic chemistry , political science , law
Application of organic amendments (e.g., biosolids[BS], composts) to soil may provide an effective method for accumulating considerable amounts of C, but the long term stability of such C is not well known. We investigated study sites in Virginia to determine the amounts of C remaining in soils 7 to 27 yr following amending with biosolids and composts. The first study employed a Fauquier silty clay loam (fine, mixed, active, mesic Ultic Hapludalf) to which four treatments (control, poultry litter‐yard waste compost, biosolids compost, and poultry litter) were continuously applied during 2000–2004. The second study was conducted on a Davidson clay loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic, Rhodic Kandiudult) to which six rates of aerobically digested biosolids (0, 42, 84, 126, 168, and 210 Mg ha –1 ) were applied in 1984. The third study was on a Pamunkey sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Ultic Hapludalfs) to which five rates of anaerobically digested biosolids (0, 14, 42, 70, and 98 Mg ha –1 ), with and without sawdust, were applied in 1996. Total soil organic C concentration and bulk density were measured to calculate C accumulation. The organic amendment‐treated soils increased C in the surface soil depth (<15 cm), ranging from 2 to 12% of C across all three sites. Soil C movement was limited to a depth of 15 cm. Evidence of C saturation was revealed in the third study site. These results demonstrate that organic amendments applied over a long time remain in soil and may contribute to C sequestration in the Mid‐Atlantic region.