Long-Term Effects of Fluidized Bed Combustion Material Applied at Disposal Levels on Soil Properties

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess changes in soil properties of a soil that received a one-time application (360 Mg ha⁻¹) of fluidized bed combustion material (FBCM) 23 years earlier. Soil samples were taken at three depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). Samples were also collected from an adjacent field with the same soil type for control. Hot nitric acid and Mehlich 3 extractions were used for total and extractable elements. Analyses indicated improvement in soil physical and chemical properties after 23 years of FBCM application. For example at the 20- to 30-cm depth, soil pH values increased from 4.9 to 7.7, whereas calcium concentrations increased from 0.23 to 1.52 g kg⁻¹ with FBCM amendment. In most cases, metal concentrations were less with FBCM amendment. Results from this study demonstrated that soil physical and chemical improvements from FBCM were maintained even 23 years after an extremely high application of FBCM.

Keywords:

• Coal by-products
• metals
• nutrients

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely acknowledge George Meyers for identifying the soil and Mebrat Gesese for her technical assistance in conducting the experiment.

Notes

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