Distribution and Fractionation of Phosphorus, Cadmium, Nickel, and Lead in Calcareous Soils Amended with Composts

• Published in: Journal of environmental science and health. Part B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 209 - 223
• Main Authors: Zinati, Gladis M., Li, Yuncong, Bryan, Herbert H., Mylavarapu, Rao S., Codallo, Merlyn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Accumulation of metals; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Biosolids; Cadmium - analysis; Cadmium - metabolism; Co-compost; Environmental Monitoring; Fertilizers - analysis; Florida; Fractionation of metals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heavy metals; Lead - analysis; Lead - metabolism; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Metals, Heavy - metabolism; Municipal solid waste; Nickel - analysis; Nickel - metabolism; Phosphorus; Phosphorus - analysis; Phosphorus - metabolism; Refuse Disposal - methods; Soil - analysis; Soil and water pollution; Soil organic carbon; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Soil science; Solubility; Water - metabolism; Florida; United States; North America; America; USA, Florida; Organic carbon; Compost; Co-compost; Phosphorus; Soil pollution; Heavy metals; Heavy metal; Biosolids; Calcareous soils; Municipal solid waste; Solid waste; Fractionation of metals; Chemical composition; Soil organic carbon; Accumulation of metals; Organic amendment
• ISSN: 0360-1234; 1532-4109
• DOI: 10.1081/PFC-120027450

Composts improve organic carbon content and nutrients of calcareous soils but the accumulation and distribution of phosphorus and heavy metals among various fractions in soil may vary under the south Florida conditions. The accumulation of P, Cd, Ni, and Pb with depth and the distribution of water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxides, organic and residual forms of each element were investigated in soils amended with municipal solid waste (MSW) compost, co-compost and biosolids compost and inorganic fertilizer (as control). Total concentrations of P, Cd, Ni, and Pb were higher in the 0-22 cm soil layers and decreased considerably in the rock layers. These elements were in the decreasing order of P ≫ Pb > Ni > Cd. Amounts of water soluble and exchangeable forms of P, Cd, Ni and Pb were negligible at 0-22 cm soil depths except for Cd in the 10-22 cm depth. Amending calcareous soil with either organic or inorganic amendments rendered phosphorus, nickle and lead in the residual form followed by Fe-Mn oxides form in the 0-10 and 10-22 cm soil layers. Cadmium was predominantly in the Fe-Mn oxides fraction followed by the residual and carbonate forms in both soil layers. A significant positive correlation was found between various organic carbon fractions and organic forms of P, Cd and Pb in the surface soil layer. Soil amended with MSW compost had higher concentration of Cd in the organic fraction whereas, co-compost and MSW compost amended soil had higher concentrations of organic Ni fraction in the 0-10 cm soil layer.