Comparison of the effects of conventional organic amendments and biochar on the chemical, physical and microbial properties of coal fly ash as a plant growth medium

The bulk of fly ash (an inorganic waste of coal-fired power generation) produced is deposited in disposal areas where it needs to be revegetated. The effects of addition of three conventional organic amendments (biosolids, poultry manure, green waste compost), or poultry manure-derived biochar, to c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental earth sciences 2012-08, Vol.66 (7), p.1987-1997
Main Authors: Belyaeva, O. N, Haynes, R. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biochar
Biogeosciences
Biomass
biosolids
calcium
Chloris gayana
coal fly ash
composts
copper
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Environmental science
Environmental Science and Engineering
Fly ash
Geochemistry
Geology
green waste
greenhouses
Hydrology/Water Resources
magnesium
manganese
Manures
microbial biomass
Original Article
plant fertility
Plant growth
Poultry
poultry manure
power generation
Sludge
sodium
soil microorganisms
Terrestrial Pollution
water holding capacity
zinc
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Summary:The bulk of fly ash (an inorganic waste of coal-fired power generation) produced is deposited in disposal areas where it needs to be revegetated. The effects of addition of three conventional organic amendments (biosolids, poultry manure, green waste compost), or poultry manure-derived biochar, to coal fly ash (at two rates) on some key chemical, physical and microbial properties and on growth of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) was studied in a laboratory incubation/greenhouse study. Addition of all amendments, including biochar, increased concentrations of extractable Mg, K, Na and P and CEC(pH 7.0). Additions of poultry manure, and particularly biosolids, also greatly increased levels of extractable NH4 + and NO3 −-N. Addition of biosolids, green waste compost and biochar resulted in a decrease in macroporosity, a concomitant increase in mesoporosity and, at the high rate of addition, an increase in available water-holding capacity. Basal respiration was very low in fly ash and was increased by addition of all amendments; metabolic quotient was markedly greater in control than amended treatments. Biosolids, poultry manure and green waste compost additions all increased microbial biomass C. Growth of Rhodes grass was extremely low under unfertilized conditions in control, biochar and, to a lesser extent, green waste compost treatments but addition of poultry manure and the lower rate of biosolids resulted in large increases in yields. Although biochar additions increased extractable Ca, K, P, Cu, Zn and Mn, CEC, mesoporosity and water-holding capacity, they had a little or no stimulatory effect on the size of the soil microbial community, N fertility or plant growth. This was attributable to the lack of metabolisable C and an insignificant N-supplying capacity.
ISSN:1866-6280
1866-6299
DOI:10.1007/s12665-011-1424-y