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Title: SORPTION OF COPPER IN SOILS AS INFLUENCED BY SOIL PH AND ORGANIC AMENDMENTS

Author
item Alva, Ashok
item PARAMASIVAM, S - SAVANNAH STATE UNIV, GA
item SAJWAN, K - SAVANNAH STATE UNIV, GA

Submitted to: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2003
Citation: ALVA, A.K., PARAMASIVAM, S., SAJWAN, K. SORPTION OF COPPER IN SOILS AS INFLUENCED BY SOIL PH AND ORGANIC AMENDMENTS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF TRACE ELEMENTS, Vol. 4:8-10. 2003.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Copper (Cu) is generally added to agricultural soils either as an ingredient in fungicides or in soil amendments, i.e. sewage sludge or manures. High Cu levels in soils can antagonize the uptake of other micro-elements, most notably iron, zinc, and molybdenum. Copper content in most soils varies from 2 to 100 mg/kg. Soil properties and organic amendments influence the metal sorption. In this experiment we investigated the affects of soil pH, anion enrichment, and application of incinerated sewage sludge (ISS) on sorption of Cu. The sorption of Cu was greater under nitrate enrichment as compared to that under chloride enrichment. Greater than 95 percent of Cu applied (in the range of 0 to 100 mg/L nominal Cu concentration or 0 to 98 mg/L actual measured Cu concentration) was adsorbed by the soils. The adsorption was greater by the soil which has the high pH. Sorption of Cu increased with an increase in the rate of ISS applied. This could be attributed to an increase in soil pH with an increase in rate of ISS applied.