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Title: Soil Chemistry Still Affected 23 Years After Large Application of Fluidized Bed Material

Author
item Codling, Eton
item RAJA, AKANKSHA - UNIV MD, BALTIMORE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2008
Publication Date: 5/4/2009
Citation: Codling, E.E., Raja, A.W. 2009. Soil Chemistry Still Affected 23 Years After Large Application of Fluidized Bed Material. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: .

Technical Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the movement of arsenic, aluminum, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury and zinc in an old apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard that received a one time application of 36 kg/ m2 of fluidized bed combustion material (FBCM) 23 years earlier. Soil samples were taken in an area where 15 apple trees were planted on 1.8 by 1.8 m spacing. Fifteen composite samples were collected from the area at three depths 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm. Five samples were collected from an adjacent non-orchard field with the same soil type as control. Samples were air dried and sieved to < 2 mm and analyzed. Soil pH values for the FBCM treatment were above 7.0 for the three depths compared to 4.9 for the control. Electrical conductivity values from orchard area were higher than the control. Mehlich-3 extractable Al, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations did not increase with an application of FBCM. However, As, Cu, Ca, P and Mg concentrations were higher for the FBCM treatment. With the exceptions of Ca and Mg, nutrients and metals were generally lower in the 0-10 cm depth. Total mercury concentrations were similar for the FBCM treatment and control. Results from this study demonstrated that 23 years after fluidized bed combustion material application, some sub-soil chemical properties remained altered but not at toxic levels. Further studies are needed, however, to determine the availability of these micro and macro nutrient in the sub-soil for crop uptake.