Dynamics of nutrients in tropical acid soils amended with paper pulp sludge

Abstract

Paper mill sludge is characterized by high concentrations of organic matter and lime and very low concentrations of heavy metals and organic chemicals. Interest in the recycling of paper mill residuals in developing countries is vital because the use of lime and fertilisers by small farmers is financially prohibitive. The effects of paper pulp sludge and lime on the dynamics of soil nutrients was studied in the laboratory using columns of mixed samples of top soil from three tropical acid soils (Kandiudult). The soil columns were leached over a period of 90 days with de-ionized water in amounts equivalent to the annual rainfall of the sampling site. To assess the amount of nutrient that may become available to plants, NH4OAc-EDTA pH 4.65 soil extractant was used. For all soils, application of paper pulp sludge or lime to tropical acid soils generally resulted in an initial flush and increased concentrations of Ca, Mg, SO4, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and inorganic carbon in soil leachates. Compared with liming, application of paper pulp sludge reduced NO3 leaching. The amount of leached Ca, DOC and inorganic carbon (mainly HCO3-) increased substantially with the addition of paper pulp sludge or lime. In relation to nutrients, the most meaningful amendment effect that persisted after leaching was a substantially increased available Ca in the treated soil. In addition to increasing Ca levels, the addition of paper pulp sludge increased the concentrations of leached and available Ca. To sustain yield increase with paper pulp sludge, calculation of the optimum quantity to be returned to the soil should be based on losses of Ca by leaching and by plant uptake.