Abstract
Land degradation, and especially acidification, are global issues that need to be addressed. A common practice to correct this problem is the use of lime or chemical fertilisers that involve the extraction of raw materials. This study proposes a more sustainable alternative using Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) slag. BOF slag is the main waste from the steel industry that is usually accumulated in landfills, which also implies environmental impacts. In this study, a series of laboratory tests have been carried out to analyse the feasibility of using BOF slag for the reclamation of degraded land. For soil acidification, BOF slag will be analysed as a liming agent. On the other hand, the benefits slag can provide as a nutrient source will be tested. As an added value, pre-treated and untreated slag will be compared. The results of these short-time experiments show how BOF slag could be a sustainable alternative as liming agent and amendment. Its use increased the levels of some micro and macronutrients available for plant growth and improved soil quality. It could, therefore, be a sustainable management practice that makes an important contribution to the circular economy.
Highlights
This study proposes a solution to the two problems raised: soil degradation and Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) slag accumulation
Samples with 20–50 mm BOF slag were were closer to a neutral pH, and the finest granulometries (0–20 mm) reached the highest closer to a neutral pH, and the finest granulometries (0–20 mm) reached the highest valvalues
The results obtained in this study showed that BOF slag can be used as a substitute for natural lime and as amendment and a nutrient source for degraded soils improvement
Summary
Land degradation is a major global problem. Soil is one of the main natural resources that supports life on Earth but the human population burden, coupled with rapid industrial expansion, has severely affected this resource [1,2]. The annual global cost of land degradation due to land use/cover change and using land degrading management practices is about USD 300 billion [3]. Land degradation can occur for different reasons. It is usually classified into physical (erosion), chemical (salinisation, acidification, fertility depletion) and biological (deforestation, rangeland degradation). Land degradation is related with land contamination by metallic elements
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