![Sample our Environment & Sustainability journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5935/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Sustainability.jpg"})
Abstract
Large amounts of flue gas desulfurization products (FGDs) are produced when SO2 emissions are trapped in the coal burning process for generation of electricity. FGDs are normally discarded instead of being reused, and reuse on soils could be important in overall management of these products. Glasshouse experiments were conducted to determine effects of various levels of three FGDs (a FGD gypsum, an oxidized FGD+Mg, and a stabilized FGD) and the control compounds CaCO3, CaSO3, and CaSO4 on growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), white clover (Trifolium repens), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) in acidic (pH 4) soil (Typic Hapludult). The FGDs enhanced growth of each plant species, with alfalfa, white clover, and tall fescue receiving greater increases than the other species, especially when grown in soil amended with FGD+Mg. FGD gypsum did not often enhance growth unless high amounts were added. FGDs containing high B and low levels of CaSO3 were detrimental to growth. Overall, FGDs improved growth responses of these forage plants grown in an infertile low pH soil.
Acknowledgments
We thank Ms. S. K. Zeto for technical assistance and Dr. K.D. Ritchey for helps in manuscript review and preparation. Research reported in this paper was carried out at USDA-ARS-AFSRC, Beaver, WV 25813.
Notes
#Formerly with USDA-ARS, now retired.
