Abstract:Post-mining peaty lands were formed as a result of peat extraction on drainage wetlands areas. After peat extraction has finished, the biggest problem is to use these lands for other purposes. This type of soil is very heterogenic, poorly drained, with massive structure and poor contents of nutrients. Thus it is very problematic to grow traditional agricultural crops that have special requirements for soil fertility on those areas. The area of post-mining peaty lands in Belarus alone is about 200 000 hectares.… Show more
“…As a result, the ash had a positive effect on willow growing, especially in the second year after application (Table 3). In our experiment, the ash had a positive effect with dose application 1.0 and 1.5 mg dry mass ha -1 (Parka et al, 2005;Rodzkin et al, 2018;Rodzkin et al, 2019). Another study reported the positive effect of wood ash application on the soil acidity and the size of willow stems, but not on biomass production because the mean number of stems was significantly smaller in the ash-treated plots than in the control plots (Lazdina et al, 2011).…”
The utilization of ash obtained as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels
(coal, peat) or biomass (straw, wood, solid waste) is an environmental
problem that should be optimally solved. The chemical characteristics of ash
depend on several factors, mostly on sources of fuel. According to
characteristics, ash can be used in agriculture, forestry, or utilized for
other purposes. The content of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr) in peat ash is
several times higher than in willow wood ash and straw ash. It means that
peat ash application is limited to agricultural crops and its optimal
application is one year before planting SRC trees, especially on poor and
acid soils. The application of peat ash at a dose of 10 mg dry mass ha-1 in
willow plantations on post-mining peaty soils changed soil acidity from 5.2
pH to 5.88 pH and stimulated tree growth. Wood and straw ash was applied to
wil?low plantations on arable loam-sandy soils in doses 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 t
dry mass ha-1. The positive effect of ash application in doses 1.0 and 1.5 t
dry mass ha-1 showed in the second year after the application both for soil
and for willow growth.
“…As a result, the ash had a positive effect on willow growing, especially in the second year after application (Table 3). In our experiment, the ash had a positive effect with dose application 1.0 and 1.5 mg dry mass ha -1 (Parka et al, 2005;Rodzkin et al, 2018;Rodzkin et al, 2019). Another study reported the positive effect of wood ash application on the soil acidity and the size of willow stems, but not on biomass production because the mean number of stems was significantly smaller in the ash-treated plots than in the control plots (Lazdina et al, 2011).…”
The utilization of ash obtained as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels
(coal, peat) or biomass (straw, wood, solid waste) is an environmental
problem that should be optimally solved. The chemical characteristics of ash
depend on several factors, mostly on sources of fuel. According to
characteristics, ash can be used in agriculture, forestry, or utilized for
other purposes. The content of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr) in peat ash is
several times higher than in willow wood ash and straw ash. It means that
peat ash application is limited to agricultural crops and its optimal
application is one year before planting SRC trees, especially on poor and
acid soils. The application of peat ash at a dose of 10 mg dry mass ha-1 in
willow plantations on post-mining peaty soils changed soil acidity from 5.2
pH to 5.88 pH and stimulated tree growth. Wood and straw ash was applied to
wil?low plantations on arable loam-sandy soils in doses 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 t
dry mass ha-1. The positive effect of ash application in doses 1.0 and 1.5 t
dry mass ha-1 showed in the second year after the application both for soil
and for willow growth.
“…It means that radionuclide pollution didn't influence dramatically on willow productivity. Yield of willow which growing on radionuclide and heavy metals polluted soils is close to ordinary yield for mineral fertile soils [53], [54].…”
Section: Environmental and Climate Technologiesmentioning
Willow is a low-maintenance crop that has potential for energy production and enhancing the local environment. The area of commercial plantations of willow in Europe is mostly concentrated in Sweden, with more than 20 000 ha. Willow trees are used not only for energy production, but also for reclamation of polluted soils because a plantation may grow for 20–25 years, with a three-year period of harvesting. Our research covers issues of reclamation of soils contaminated by radionuclides and heavy metals, and decreasing of eutrophication of water ecosystems with using willow plantations. The field studies of phytoremediation of soil contaminated by 137Cs by willow plants were conducted in eastern Belarus, in the area where agricultural activity was banned after Chernobyl disaster. This region is heavily polluted with 137Cs (from 185 to 555 kBq/m2) and heavy metals. The transferring factors of accumulated 137Cs and heavy metals from the soil to willow biomass were determined. The field experiments showed that willow does not accumulate actively Cd and Pb, but it accumulates Zn, Cu and Mn intensively. The potassium application decreases the accumulation of 137Cs in willow biomass and increases accumulation of Cu, Zn and Mn, but has no influence on accumulation of Cd and Pb. Our results confirmed that soils polluted with radionuclide and heavy metals could be used for willow cultivation as energy crop, if adequate management is applied. The different potential of the willow species concerning heavy metals accumulation was also established. The yield of willow biomass on polluted soils achieved 11.5–12.8 DMg ha–1 per year, depending on variety, that is competitive with the ordinary yield of willow on mineral fertile soils. Willow plantations also may be used for accumulations of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds. It enables to decrease impact for water ecosystems and to control eutrophication.
“…Both ensuring compliance with the regulation and pursuing the eradication of the invasive species require financial means, however the new vision of the 167 invasive plant management system would actually ensure financial gains. Similarly to other studies, that aim to add value to low quality and underused biomass, such as common reed, cattail, sedges [4], potato peels [5], forest residue [6] and agricultural waste (grasses, vegetable silage, etc.) [7].…”
Since the creation of the European Union’s (EU) Biodiversity Strategy, increased attention has been drawn to the spread of invasive non-native species, their impact on biodiversity, and the economic losses caused. Ensuring compliance with the regulation on the eradication of invasive species requires financial means, therefore a new vision on invasive plant management system is proposed. With a new system, invasive alien plant (IAP) control is ensured as well as a new source of lignocellulosic biomass for product production, that could result in financial gains is presented. This article provides current alien plant situation visualization by Sankey diagram showing invasiveness of alien species and establishment, after which invasive and potentially invasive species are directed further to pre-assessment. A total of 157 invasive plant species are evaluated by multi criteria decision analysis TOPSIS, the case on the national level (Latvia) is presented and a new concept for a IAP management system is provided. The research results and the new concept provide a contribution to policy makers, land owners affected by invasive species and municipalities.
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