Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality
Mid- to long-term impacts of land applying biosolids will depend on application rate, duration, and method; biosolids composition; and site-specific characteristics (e.g., climate, soils). This study evaluates the effects of surface-broadcast biosolids application rate and duration on soil organic c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/715916 |
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| author | Virginia L. Jin Kenneth N. Potter Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson R. Daren Harmel Jeffrey G. Arnold |
| author_facet | Virginia L. Jin Kenneth N. Potter Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson R. Daren Harmel Jeffrey G. Arnold |
| author_sort | Virginia L. Jin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mid- to long-term impacts of land applying biosolids will depend on application rate, duration, and method; biosolids composition; and site-specific characteristics (e.g., climate, soils). This study evaluates the effects of surface-broadcast biosolids application rate and duration on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, soil aggregate stability, and selected soil hydraulic properties in a municipally operated, no-till forage production system. Total SOC stocks (0–45 cm soil) increased nonlinearly with application rate in perennial grass fields treated for 8 years with 0, 20, 40, or 60 Mg of Class B biosolids (DM) ha−1 yr−1 (midterm treatments). Soil organic C stocks in long-term treatment fields receiving 20 years of 20 Mg ha−1 yr−1 were 36% higher than those in midterm fields treated at the same rate. Surface-applying biosolids had contrasting effects on soil physical properties. Soil bulk density was little affected by biosolids applications, but applications were associated with decreased water-stable soil aggregates, increased soil water retention, and increased available water-holding capacity. This study contrasts the potential for C storage in soils treated with surface-applied biosolids with application effects on soil physical properties, underscoring the importance of site-specific management decisions for the beneficial reuse of biosolids in agricultural settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa06214ed34f43d6bfc38eb432e15e90 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-7667 1687-7675 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa06214ed34f43d6bfc38eb432e15e902025-02-03T01:00:54ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752015-01-01201510.1155/2015/715916715916Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical QualityVirginia L. Jin0Kenneth N. Potter1Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson2R. Daren Harmel3Jeffrey G. Arnold4Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 137 Keim Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937, USAGrassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502-6712, USAResource Assessment Division, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502-6712, USAGrassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502-6712, USAGrassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502-6712, USAMid- to long-term impacts of land applying biosolids will depend on application rate, duration, and method; biosolids composition; and site-specific characteristics (e.g., climate, soils). This study evaluates the effects of surface-broadcast biosolids application rate and duration on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, soil aggregate stability, and selected soil hydraulic properties in a municipally operated, no-till forage production system. Total SOC stocks (0–45 cm soil) increased nonlinearly with application rate in perennial grass fields treated for 8 years with 0, 20, 40, or 60 Mg of Class B biosolids (DM) ha−1 yr−1 (midterm treatments). Soil organic C stocks in long-term treatment fields receiving 20 years of 20 Mg ha−1 yr−1 were 36% higher than those in midterm fields treated at the same rate. Surface-applying biosolids had contrasting effects on soil physical properties. Soil bulk density was little affected by biosolids applications, but applications were associated with decreased water-stable soil aggregates, increased soil water retention, and increased available water-holding capacity. This study contrasts the potential for C storage in soils treated with surface-applied biosolids with application effects on soil physical properties, underscoring the importance of site-specific management decisions for the beneficial reuse of biosolids in agricultural settings.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/715916 |
| spellingShingle | Virginia L. Jin Kenneth N. Potter Mari-Vaughn V. Johnson R. Daren Harmel Jeffrey G. Arnold Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| title | Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality |
| title_full | Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality |
| title_fullStr | Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality |
| title_short | Surface-Applied Biosolids Enhance Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks but Have Contrasting Effects on Soil Physical Quality |
| title_sort | surface applied biosolids enhance soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks but have contrasting effects on soil physical quality |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/715916 |
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