Phosphorus release kinetics in a soil amended with biosolids and vermicompost

Abstract

Wastewater biosolids are large potential sources of macronutrients for agriculture, conservation and restoration of soils; there are, however, few studies on phosphorus (P) release in soils amended with biosolids. Biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids were tested in concentrations (5-30 g amendment kg-1 soil) equivalent to 18-100 Mg ha-1. Desorption of P was determined by successive extractions for 65 days. Soil P was low, and biosolid and vermicompost addition released 8 and 6 times more P, respectively, than soil alone. To describe the release of P, zero-, first-and second-order equations, simple Elovich and power functions and the parabolic diffusion law were compared based on their coefficient of determination (r 2) and standard error (SE). In all treatments, the power function and especially the parabolic diffusion law were the best fit, with 0.898-0.996 r 2 and 0.022-0.732 SE. The general behavior of the kinetic parameters mostly depended on the amendment doses. Eutrophication posited to start beyond 16 mg P kg-1 soil was more likely allayed by a maximum vermicompost dose of 50 Mg ha-1 , higher than the 36 Mg ha-1 maximum biosolid dose. The higher vermicompost P addition and lower P release could favor gradual and longer-term P absorption by plants and may reduce leaching or runoff P losses.

Effects of Food Industry Wastewater Treatment Sludge on Corn Plant Development and Soil Properties

“…Phosphorus availability in sludge is strongly influenced by the wastewater treatment (WWT) processes [37]. The addition of some type of liming agent to stabilize sludge may result in lower total P. The addition of lime was reported to increase sludge pH and decrease the solubility of P by the formation of recalcitrant caphosphate minerals [38]. Since more stringent N and P discharge limits have been implemented in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in environmentally sensitive areas, total P in sludge is expected to increase from current values [39].…”

Relation between various soil phosphorus extraction methods and sorption parameters in calcareous soils with different texture

“…These results agree with those of Pizzeghello et al (2011) who indicated that long term use of chemical and organic fertilizers saturated sorption capacities of the soils and thus increased the risk of P losses. It became a common practice to add municipal sewage sludge (MSS) (Smith, 1996;Islas-Espinoza et al, 2014), biosolids (Shu et al, 2016) and manure to soils in many countries around the world to supply P, nitrogen and other macro-and micro-nutrients. In many parts of Iran MSS (Raiesi et al, 2015;Rezapour et al, 2012;Jalali and Arfania, 2010) and manures (Jalali and Ostovarzadeh, 2009) is used to supply plants with P and other nutrients.…”

Effect of wastewater and compost on leaching nutrients of soil column under basil cultivation

“…Similarly, application of potato-processing wastewater to intact sandy loam lysimeters resulted in relatively higher P concentration in leachate than in wastewater, suggesting that additional P was contributed by soil reserves (Zvomuya et al, 2005). Islas-Espinoza et al (2014) tested biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids in different concentrations (5-30 g amendment kg −1 soil). It was observed that soil P was low and biosolid and vermicompost addition released 8 and 6 times more P, respectively, than soil alone.…”