Effects of pulp fibre on soil physical properties and soil erosion under simulated rainfall

Abstract

Chow, T. L., Rees, H. W., Fahmy, S. H. and Monteith, J. O. 2003. Effects of pulp fibre on soil physical properties and soil erosion under simulated rainfall. Can. J. Soil Sci. 83: 109-119. Pulp fibre, a primary type of sludge of pulp and paper mills containing approximately 40% organic C, is usually disposed of in landfills causing a potential environmental problem. This material may be used as a soil amendment to restore the productivity of organic-matter-depleted potato-producing soils in Atlantic Canada. The effect of incorporating this material at rates equivalent to 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0% organic matter in the plow layer of a gravelly loam soil on selected soil physical properties and soil erosion was evaluated. The objectives were to determine the effect of pulp fibre additions on selected soil properties, which are pertinent to water retention and movement and to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing runoff and soil loss, major contributing processes to soil degradation. Chemical analysis of pulp fibre revealed that all heavy metal concentrations were well below allowable concentrations for Category A compost. One year after incorporation, bulk density of the Ap horizon had decreased with increasing rates of organic matter addition. On the other hand, the saturated hydraulic conductivity and specific moisture content increased with increasing rates of treatments. Results on water-stable aggregates revealed that the organic matter in the pulp fibre combined smaller aggregates to form larger aggregates, resulting in a larger proportion of macropores as compared to micropores. In the 4% organic matter treatment, a 27% increase was found in the 1.0 to 5.0 mm-diameter aggregates whereas a 23% reduction was found in aggregates smaller than 1.0 mm diameter. In spite of the higher specific moisture content of the organic-matter-treated soils, soil moisture content measured immediately prior to the erosion test indicated that field soil moisture contents were lower than those of the control. Time of runoff initiation, rates of runoff and soil loss were greatly improved with the amendments. The beneficial effects of the 4% organic matter treatment include 2.1 times delay in runoff initiation, and 23 and 71% reduction in runoff and soil loss, respectively. Although the beneficial effects in soil and water conservation are apparent, a minor drawback appears to be lower field soil moisture content. Large-scale implementation of the addition of this material in potato fields should proceed only with caution. . D'habitude, on se débarrasse de la fibre de pâte à papier, important résidu des usines de pâte renfermant environ 40 % de carbone organique, en l'enfouissant dans les décharges contrôlées, ce qui, à la longue, peut poser des problèmes au niveau de l'environnement. Ce matériau pourrait toutefois aussi servir d'amendement et rendre leur fertilité aux terres servant à la culture de la pomme de terre dans les provinces de l'Atlantique, terres dont on a épuisé la matière organique. Les auteurs ont évalué les effets ...

Pulp Fiber Residue and Supplemental Irrigation on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Potato

“…Amendment application significantly decreased bulk density from average of 1.21 for control to 1.12 and 1.01 Mg m −3 for 1F and 2F, and increased the total porosity from average of 54 for control to 58 and 62% for 1F and 2F, respectively. Moisture retention curves of the amended soils showed an increase of 5 to 10% (data are not reported) which is in agreement with Fahmy et al (2000), Foley and Cooperband (2002), and Chow et al (2003). Foley and Cooperband (2002) reported improved soil physical propertied in a loamy sand soil amended with paper mill and composted paper mill residuals.…”

“…Water retention characteristics between saturation and −100 cm of water matric potential (−10 kPa) were determined by a tension plate apparatus as described by Chow et al (2003). Moisture content at matric potential lower than −100 cm water was determined using a pressure plate apparatus.…”

“…In that sense, materials with high lignin content, such as paper industry residues, may be more appropriate for the accumulation of carbon (C) in soil (Paustian et al, 1992). Recently pulp fiber residue (PFR), as byproduct of a thermo-mechanical pulping newspaper process, was introduced and used as soil amendment and remarkable improvements in soil physical, chemical and biological properties were reported (Fahmy et al, 2000;Gagnon et al, 2001;Chow et al, 2003). The high carbon content of PFR (∼40%) can improve soil physical properties, plant water availability and crop yields.…”

Pulp and paper mill by-products as soil amendments and plant nutrient sources

“…Bulk density of a sandy minesoil decreased from 1.7 to 1.3 Mg m -3 through 2 yr after application of deinking sludge at 105 Mg ha -1 (Fierro et al 1999). Primary sludge applied at 160 Mg ha -1 to a gravelly loam potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) soil decreased bulk density of the plow layer (2-10 cm depth) from 1.21 Mg m -3 in the unamended control to 1.01 Mg m -3 , and also resulted in greater total porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Chow et al 2003). This improvement in soil properties Can.…”

Papermill Biosolids Effect on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties

“…Benefits to soil structure and soil chemical properties have been found in soils amended with PB (Fierro et al, 1999; Zibilske et al, 2000; Chow et al, 2003). In addition, increased enzymatic and microbial activity, suggestive of a highly available carbon pool, has been observed after PB applications (Zibilske, 1987; Lalande et al, 2003; Charest et al, 2004).…”