Asmare Atalay

Variation in Phosphorus Sorption with Soil Particle Size

Phosphorus (P) is considered a primary cause for surface water eutrophication that leads to anoxia. Understanding the relationships between soil particle size and P sorption helps devise effective best management practices (BMPs) to control P transport by erosion, leaching, and overland flow from agricultural land. Consequently, this study examined the effect of surface soil particle size on the sorption of P in five soil series (four Ultisols and one Entisol) from the Mid-Atlantic region. The sorption of P in each soil was assessed by equilibrating (after shaking for 24 h) 5 g soil containing varied amounts of KH2PO4 in 20 mL of 0.01 M KCl solution. Phosphorus in solution was determined by the molybdate blue method of Murphy and Riley. The P adsorption characteristics of these soils were described using the Langmuir isotherm. Results indicated that variability in P sorption was related to particle size and soil type. Soil organic matter content contributed a great deal to P sorption in the Entisol. However, soil clay had influence on the P sorption characteristics of each soil. The maximum P retentive capacities of soils (as determined by Sm from Langmuir equation) and P sorbed at 500 mg P kg−1 addition showed a linear relationship (r2 = 0.94). Therefore, based on the results obtained, the single point method of Bache and Williams may be appropriate to describe the maximum P sorption capacity of non-sandy soils, as observed in this study.

Extractability of 2,4-D, Dicamba and MCPP from Soil

The adsorption of herbicides on soil colloids is a major factor determining their mobility, persistence, and activity in soils. Solvent extraction could be a viable option for removing sorbed contaminants in soils. This study evaluated the extractability of three herbicides: 2,4 dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxypropanoic acid (mecoprop acid or MCPP), and 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba). Three solvents (water, methanol, and iso-propanol) and three methods of extraction (column, batch, and soxhlet) were compared for their efficiencies in removing the herbicides from three soils (loamy sand, silt loam, and silty clay). Both linear and non-linear Freundlich isotherms were used to predict sorption intensity of herbicides on soils subjected to various extraction methods and conditions. High Kdand Kfr, and low N values were obtained for all herbicides in silty clay soil by batch extraction. Methanol was the best solvent removing approximately 97% of all added herbicides from the loamy sand either by column or soxhlet extraction method. Isopropanol ranked second by removing over 90% of all herbicides by soxhelet extraction from all three soils. However, water was ineffective in removing herbicides from any of the soils using any of the three extracting procedures used in this study. In general, the extent of herbicide removal depended on soil type, herbicide concentration, extraction procedure, solvent type and amount, and extraction time.

Nutrient and Microbial Dynamics in Biosolids Amended Soils Following Rainfall Simulation

Municipal waste treatment plants are mandated by U.S. EPA to treat domestic wastewater prior to releasing it to receiving streams. The dewatering and high temperature drying processes at the plant are considered effective in reducing microbial contaminants in the waste. The resulting solid material (biosolid) is rich in nutrients that may serve as a value-added product for plant growth. In this study, we examined the nutrient value of biosolids, their potential biological and chemical risks that could result from surface application to two Mid-Atlantic soils: Bojac (coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludult) and Cullen (clayey, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludult). Soils were placed on tilt beds and packed to their respective bulk density. Biosolids were added at a rate of 2.24 Mg/ha equivalent and mixed with the top 5 cm of the soil bed. Simulated rain was applied at a rate of 65 mm h−1 for 45 minutes. Surface runoff and percolation water were collected and analyzed for elemental content, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliform bacteria. Among the nutrient elements of concern (P, Zn, Mn, and Cu) in biosolids, none were found to be higher than the specified EPA limits. The concentration of P was highest in runoff and percolation water from beds packed with Bojac and biosolids. The combined effects of high clay (35%), Al (1.14%), and Fe (5.11%) in Cullen increased its P-adsorbing capacity. Low levels of E. coli and other coliform bacteria were present in samples from biosolids-treated beds packed with Cullen. Microbial counts in runoff and percolation samples varied with soil type; in some instances they were ten-fold higher in Bojac than in Cullen. The results obtained in this study suggest that surface runoff from land applications of biosolids might contribute to microbial contamination of receiving waters near agricultural fields.

Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Animal and Municipal Wastewaters as Dittmarite

Phosphorus and nitrogen are known causes of eutrophication in rivers, lakes streams and estuaries. The sources of these nutrients are diverse and they include chemical fertilizers, CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), land application of animal and municipal as well as industrial wastewaters. Application of manure slurries to crop land beyond allowable limits could result in high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in runoff that negatively impact aquatic animals. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are setup to remove these nutrients from domestic and industrial wastewater through a network of treatment processes. Controlling the discharge of phosphorus and nitrogen in wastewater is a key factor in preventing eutrophication. This paper presents work done to enhance a chemical precipitation process that removes over 90% of dissolved phosphorus and nearly 20% of dissolved nitrogen from both synthetic and municipal wastewaters. The objective of the study is to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater as dittmarite, a value-added mineral fertilizer found in nature. A laboratory procedure was developed that generated significant quantities of dittmarite from various wastewaters. Pure dittmarite contains nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium in approximate molar ratios of 1:1.2:1.2 that can support plant growth. It is produced as a wet precipitate from chemical reactions that occur in the wastewater treatment process; it can be dried for proper handling and utilization. Municipal wastewater treatment plants, high volume fish producers, CAFOs and individual rural homeowners could all benefit from this technology for on-site removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from produced wastewaters.

Phosphorus Immobilization and Soil Aggregation in Chemically Amended Poultry Litter Used in Corn/Soybean Rotation

Excessive use of poultry litter (PL) on agricultural land is known to cause eutrophication of surface waters. Consequently, both poultry producers and PL users have to meet strict state and federal guidelines on litter storage and land application. This study examined the environmental benefits of adding lime, alum, ferrous sulfate, fly ash (FA), fluidized bed ash (FBA) and soil fix (SF) to PL for immobilizing excess phosphorus (P) while providing sufficient nutrients for proper growth of soybean [Glycine max (L.)] and corn [Zea mays (L.)] on a rotation. Amending PL with lime, alum, SF, FA and FBA significantly (p>0.05) increased corn and soybean yield. In contrast control plots that received a 10-10-10 (N-P2O5-K2) fertilizer showed lower yield and corn quality. Increased yield was observed when PL was amended with lime, alum and ferrous sulfate. Results from a soybean root, shoot, and nodule growth study indicated variability with respect to PL application and amendment use. Smaller size nodules were obtained with NPK fertilizer and PL plus lime treated plots, whereas PL with alum yielded fewer but larger nodules. Soil aggregation was significantly lower in soils treated with NPK compared to those treated with PL as indicated by water stable aggregation (WSA), mean aggregate diameter (MWD) and geometric mean of aggregate diameter (GMD) (p>0.05). Increased soil aggregation was a result of the combined effect of amendment and PL additions rather than PL alone. The amount of carbon (C) in soil aggregates was lowest with NPK and highest with PL treatments. In the presence of PL, alum and iron treatments showed higher capacities to store C and immobilize P in macro-aggregates (8 to 5 mm diameter). These results suggest that soil treatment with PL and chemical amendments, especially alum and ferrous sulfate, could result in improved crop yield, soil aggregation, carbon storage, and P immobilization.