Development of Soil Surface Hardening Mulching System by Using Paper Mill Sludge Ash

Abstract

The disposal of the paper mill sludge and the paper mill sludge ash become more important issue, because the environment regulation becomes more strict. In this study, the new mulching system was developed by using the paper sludge ash. The soil surface hardening mechanism for mulching with paper sludge ash, red clay and coal ash was evaluated. Since the CaO in the paper sludge ash provided the harden structure with water, the surface hardening mulching structure could cover the field surface and prevent the germination of weeds. More than 50 w.t.% of red clay and 10 w.t.% of paper sludge ash were required to create the solid soil surface structure for mulching. The field test with the new soil surface hardening mulching system for three months showed the generation of weeds could successfully be inhibited by the system.