Optimizing the use of SMDS biosluge compost as a soil fertilizer - conditioner : leaching of nutrients and contaminants

Dorina, anak Lasah. (2005) Optimizing the use of SMDS biosluge compost as a soil fertilizer - conditioner : leaching of nutrients and contaminants. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

pplication of compost and sewage sludge to the agricultural land has its beneficial effects on crop production enhancing the nutrient contents of the soils but faces the risk of contamination effects by leaching of heavy etals to the environment. This study was carried out in the laboratory using five sets of leaching columns to luate the effects of SMDS compost application on leaching of nutrients (N, P, K, Mg and Ca) and other ntaminants to the environment. Soil-compost mixtures containing 0% (A) as a control, 5% (B), 20% (c), 50% ) and 100% (E) by volume of SMDS compost in leaching column were leached with 1000ml distilled water. eir leachates were collected and analysed for nutrient contents and heavy metal contaminants of (Cd, Cu, Pb, i and Zn). There were significant differences in concentration of N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn ached between the mixtures. It was found that the concentrations of fertilizer nutrients (N, P, and K) were creased and those of Mg and Ca were not significantly changed in the presence of SMDS compost. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) on the other hand were reduced. Based on these results it as concluded that SMDS compost can be used effectively as a soil fertilizer conditioner with very little risk to e environment.

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