Effects of an Uncomposted Municipal Waste Processing By‐Product on Prairie Grass Establishment

Abstract

A garbage processing technology has been developed that sterilizes and separates inorganic and organic components of municipal solid waste. A study was initiated to evaluate the uncomposted organic by‐product of this process as a soil amendment for establishing native prairie grasses on disturbed Army training lands. The waste was incorporated into sandy soils at Fort Benning Military Reservation on two sites: a moderately degraded and a highly degraded soil. The waste material was applied at rates of 0, 17.9, 35.8, 71.6, and 143 Mg ha−1 and seeded with native prairie grasses to assess its effects on vegetation for two growing seasons, with an additional unseeded control treatment for comparison to natural recovery. The addition of uncomposted waste increased percent composition and basal cover of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) at both sites and percent composition of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) at one site. Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] was negatively affected by the addition of the waste material at both sites. Biomass in the 143 Mg ha−1 treatment increased 4180% compared to the seeded control at the highly degraded site. Plant uptake of P and Na increased at both sites and an apparent Fe toxicity problem was alleviated at the highly disturbed site with increasing application rates. Because perennial grass establishment improved so dramatically with increasing application rates, land application of this uncomposted waste material could be considered a viable and beneficial alternative to current waste management practices for degraded Army lands.

Non-Composted Municipal Solid Waste Processing Byproduct Effect on Soil Reclamation

“…Application of Fluff at both Fort Benning sites (Dove Field and the Borrow Pit), resulted in improved revegetation of the native grasses as reported by Busby et al (2006). They reported a positive response to Fluff application for plant biomass, plant nutrient composition, plant species composition, and basal vegetative cover.…”

“…This testing of the finished pulp detected 9 heavy metals, 3 semi-volatile, and 3 volatile organic compounds, but did not show any contaminant concentration that exceeded Federal or State EPA standards (Busby et al, 2006). The detected organic compounds are regulated due to risks associated with workplace exposure and concentrated industrial effluent, but due to their volatile nature and rapid turnover in the environment they are not regulated for land application.…”

“…This limit would be reached with a maximum annual rate of 229 Mg Fluff ha −1 and a maximum cumulative application rate of 4587 Mg ha −1 . A preliminary study of the application of Fluff on a silt loam soil indicated that native grass establishment was enhanced and basal cover of planted perennial grasses was increased (Busby et al, 2006). An increase in soil concentration of Pb and P was noted with increasing rates of Fluff application.…”

“…Plant biomass was collected by clipping 5 random samples per plot to a height of 1 cm using 30 × 60 cm quadrants. Detailed analysis of plant vegetation responses are reported elsewhere (Busby et al, 2006). Soil samples were obtained each year using two soil cores (3.8 cm diameter) from each plot collected with a custom-made telescoping soil coring device assisted by a modified commercial hydraulic post driver mounted to the front of a small tractor.…”

New Municipal Solid Waste Processing Technology Reduces Volume and Provides Beneficial Reuse Applications for Soil Improvement and Dust Control

“…Although these species are highly suited to conservation planting, establishment is a significant barrier to successful utilization, as weedy species can easily overtake them and cause failure, especially in N rich soils (Launchbaugh, 1962;Tilman, 1993, 1996;Munshower, 1994;Warnes and Newell, 1998;Reever and Seastedt, 1999;Brejda, 2000). Studies have been conducted to evaluate the use of Fluff as a soil amendment to successfully rehabilitate damaged military training lands, which often lack sufficient topsoil, organic matter, and nutrients required for successful rehabilitation (Busby et al, 2006;Busby et al, 2010). Busby et al (2010) (Fig.…”