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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #424614
Research Project: Innovative Manure Treatment Technologies and Enhanced Soil Health for Agricultural Systems of the Southeastern Coastal Plain

Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research

Title: Soil health alterations via compost additions to natural and remediated heavy metal-contaminated mineland soils

Author
item UMEOBI, EGONDU - The Ohio State University
item Ducey, Thomas
item JOHNSON, MARK - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
item IPPOLITO, JAMES - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/2025
Publication Date: 6/3/2025
Citation: Umeobi, E.C., Ducey, T.F., Johnson, M.G., Ippolito, J.A. 2025. Soil health alterations via compost additions to natural and remediated heavy metal-contaminated mineland soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 32:14968-14979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36602-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36602-1

Interpretive Summary: The Oronogo-Duenweg mining belt in southwest Missouri is a Superfund site due to soil and groundwater contamination with lead (Pb) from past mining and smelting activities. Cleanup efforts have removed the contaminated surface layers, but they have exposed deeper soil layers (called C horizons) that are low in nutrients and have high levels of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn), which make it difficult for plants to grow naturally. Our study looked at the use of compost at two rates, 180 and 360 tons per hectare (Mg ha-1), to see if it could improve the soil and help plants grow. We compared the compost-treated areas to naturally revegetated sites, native prairie areas (which were used as a model for healthy soil), and other sites. To evaluate the health of the soil, the study looked at different factors: 1) Physical factors: soil bulk density and how well soil particles stick together (aggregation); 2) Chemical factors: pH and electrical conductivity; 3) Nutrient factors: how much plant-available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are in the soil; and 4) Biological factors: like soil organic carbon, microbial activity, and enzyme activities. We also measured the concentrations of metals in the soil and plants. The results showed that the compost-treated soils had soil health similar to native prairies, and both were healthier than the naturally revegetated areas. However, the 360 Mg ha-1 compost rate added too much phosphorus to the soil compared to the 180 Mg ha-1 rate. Additionally, while the compost did add some cadmium and zinc to the soil, the levels of these metals were very low and not harmful to plants or livestock. Based on these findings, the study recommends using compost at a rate of 180 Mg ha-1 or lower to improve soil health without causing problems with phosphorus and metal levels.

Technical Abstract: The Oronogo-Duenweg mining belt in southwest Missouri, is an EPA Superfund site due to Pb-contaminated soil and groundwater from historic mining and smelting. Remediation has removed Pb-contaminated overburden, uncovering nutrient-deficient C horizons containing elevated Cd and Zn concentrations which impede natural revegetation. This study evaluated compost at rates of 180 and 360 Mg ha-1, monitoring changes in soil properties observed at naturally revegetated sites, native prairie locations (i.e., the soil health benchmark), and areas receiving compost treatments. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was employed to assess physical (bulk density (Bd)), water-stable aggregates (WAS)), chemical (pH, electrical conductivity (EC)), nutrient (plant-available P and K), and biological (soil organic C (SOC)), microbial biomass C (MBC), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), and ß-glucosidase activity (BG)) soil health indicators and soil health scores. Soil metal concentrations were determined using Mehlich-3 and 0.01M CaCl2 extractions, alongside plant total metal concentrations. Compost-treated soils exhibited overall soil health comparable to native prairie; both had greater overall soil health than the natural revegetation site. However, the 360 Mg ha-1 rate led to excessive Mehlich-3 extractable P compared to 180 Mg ha-1. Mehlich-3 extractions revealed that the compost added Cd and Zn to the system, yet Cd and Zn concentrations from the 0.01M CaCl2 extraction were negligible in the compost treated soils. Plant heavy metal concentrations were below tolerable limits for livestock consumption. A target compost application rate of 180 Mg ha-1, or lower, is suggested for balancing phosphorus and metal concentrations while improving overall soil health.