CapitalEnergy

Effect on Soil Microorganisms Heterotrophic organisms in the soil are ultimately responsible for ensuring the availability of nutrients for primary production (Wardle 2002). Microorganisms play a very important role in many biogeochemical cycles in agroecosystems including organic matter decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and trace gas emission and consumption (Carney et al. 2004). The principal “players” in the decomposition process are microorganisms, […]

Although carbon (C) is mostly oxidised and nitrogen (N) is emitted in the form of gaseous compounds during combustion, most other elements present in the plant material are retained in the ash (Steenari et al. 1999). Wood ash mainly consists of calcium, potassium, magnesium, silicon, aluminium, phosphorus, sodium, manga­nese and sulphur, whereas it is N-deficient. Trace elements found in wood […]

In each experimental plot, samples were collected from each soil layer, at a depth of 0-40 cm, from the center of each plot, following a zigzag route. Soil samples were mixed to ensure homogeneity, dried at 40°C, and sieved through a 2-mm screen; microoelements and macroelements were extracted by the Mehlich 3 procedure (Mehlich and Mehlich 1984). Soil pH was […]

In Table 8.9, an overview of the amounts of fertilizer/ash to be used on 1-ha plantations is given for both scenarios. The amount of fertilizer in scenario 2 needed to compensate for the amount of filter ash used in scenario 1 is 1.1 kg/ha for triple superphosphate and 4.1 kg/ha for potassium chloride.

The monolith leaching test used in this study was a modified version of the conventional NEN 7345 leaching test (Dutch Standardization Institute 1995).

Katja Schiemenz, Jurgen Kern, Hans-Marten Paulsen, Silvia Bachmann, and Bettina Eichler-Lobermann Abstract The reutilization of biomass ashes in agriculture is important to create nutrient cycles. In field and pot experiments we investigated the fertilizing effects of different biomass ashes (rape meal ash, straw ash, and cereal ash) for eight different crops on a loamy sand and a sandy loam. Special […]

Decay of organic matter, inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers, and the removal of alkaline plant material from the field in cropping systems further accelerate soil acidification (Vieira et al. 2008). Some studies have shown that legumes increase soil acidification in pastures and arable cropping systems (Williams 1980; Burle et al. 1997). Acid production during carbon and nitrogen cycles is considered […]

11.4.1 Landfills and Mining Waste Deposits Combustion residues are used to provide a barrier against the penetration of water or oxygen, or both, into the body of the landfill or of the heap or impoundment of mining waste. The properties that make fly ash from solid biofuels suitable are their high pH and their self-binding properties. The potential for use […]

A summary of the effects of different ashes on forest soil animal groups detected in both field and laboratory experiments is given in Table 4.1. Loose wood ash was used in most experiments (Table 4.1). Because the dissolution rate of granulated wood ash is much lower than that of hardened or loose ash (Eriksson 1998; Nieminen et al. 2005), the […]

The relative contributions of the soil fauna to microbial turnover and nutrient mineralization are directly related to the demographics of the soil biota (Coleman et al. 1983). Many invertebrates (e. g., earthworms, termites, and ants) play an important role for soil fertility; they produce macropores (e. g., galleries, chambers) and organomineral structures that influence hydraulic properties, macroaggre­gation, and organic matter […]