Decomposition of paper de-inking sludge in a sandpit minesoil during its revegetation

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 143 - 150
• Main Authors: Fierro, A, Angers, D.A, Beauchamp, C.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2000; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Agropyron elongatum; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon mineralization; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Nitrogen; Organic amendment; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Phosphorus; Soil erosion, conservation, land management and development; Soil science; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Tall wheatgrass; Canada; North America; America; Quebec; Carbon mineralization; Phosphorus; Nitrogen; Organic amendment; Agropyron elongatum; Tall wheatgrass; Macronutrient(mineral); Monocotyledones; Waste utilization; Revegetation; Decomposition; Sewage sludge; Deinking; Soils; Nitrogen cycle; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Protective plant; Spermatophyta; Mine soil; Waste paper; Sandpit
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/S0038-0717(99)00123-6

Paper de-inking sludge was used as an organic amendment for revegetating an abandoned sandpit in Québec, Canada. In situ patterns of sludge decomposition and of total nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics were characterized in a litter bag study. In a one-time operation, sludge was applied at a rate of 0 or 105 Mg dry matter ha −1, along with N at 3, 6 or 9 kg Mg −1 sludge and P at 0.5 or 1.0 kg Mg −1 sludge. Sludge and fertilizers were incorporated into the top 0.21 m of the minesoil and tall wheatgrass ( Agropyron elongatum (Host) Beauv.) was seeded. Mass loss was well described by a double exponential model when cumulative degree-days (sum of daily temperature above 0°C) were used as the independent variable. Fifty-one percent of the initial material decomposed with a half life of 0.4 yr, whereas the remaining material had a much slower rate of decay with a half life of 13 yr. The large size and slow decomposition rate of the recalcitrant pool of this material were attributed to the high lignin content and the presence of clay in the sludge. Both N and P in decomposing sludge presented a short accumulation phase followed by a long release phase which likely contributed to the successful revegetation of this disturbed sandpit site.