Chemical composition assessment of sapropels from different deposits

• Published in: Theoretical and Applied Ecology no. 2; pp. 108 - 116
• Main Authors: Sazanov, А. V., Sazanova, M. L., Zhuikova, I. A., Tugarinov, L. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 25.06.2024
• ISSN: 1995-4301; 2618-8406
• DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2024-2-108-116

Complex chemical composition and wide mining opportunities determine the use of sapropels and sapropel-based products in various sectors of national economy. The fullest potential of sapropel is revealed in agriculture, where it is used as fertilizer, a component of soils, raw materials for humic preparations production etc. The aim was to study the sapropels’ suitability for the production of humic fertilizers. Using validated methods we analyze chemical composition of sapropel sediments from 4 freshwater lakes located within the latitudinal section of 53–56° N in the temperate climate. Microbiological parameters of all studied samples are within the normal range. Dry matter content in the range of 46.1–51.3% corresponds to the normative indicators. The mass fraction of organic matter varies in the range of 31.8–39.9% DM. This allows classifying all samples as organo-clay, and determines the possibility of their use for soils of light granulometric composition. The relatively high content of humic (18.3–22.9% DM) and fulvic acids (3.7–6.4% DM) makes it possible to use the studied sapropel samples for the manufacture of humic preparations (especially, a sapropel sample of the lake Chervonoe, Belarus). Low P and K content (0.24–0.36% DM and 0.32–0.42% DM, respectively) can negatively affect the efficiency of fertilizers from these sapropel species; this can be avoided by mixing sapropel with manure or enrichment with mineral fertilizers. Indicators of heavy metal (Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Pb and Cd) content in all studied samples meet the safety requirements. Samples from deeper layers of the Rusaki Lake (Altai Territory) and the Beloe Lake (Novosibirsk Region) refer to the 1st class of suitability, the rest (according to a number of indicators) – to the 2nd class. The content of trace elements in the studied sapropels is within the established norms and makes it possible to use them for replenishing the deficit of trace elements in soils. In general, all the studied samples can be used as environmentally friendly organomineral fertilizers, as well as production of humic preparations to increase in the biological and energy capacity of agrocenoses and to reproduce the soil fertility.