Effect of Phosphogypsum on Respiration and Methane Emissions in Sediment

Abstract

The impact of adding phosphogypsum (PG) to freshwater wetland areas, and potential effect on methane production and respiration in sediment was studied in the laboratory. Two organic matter levels (native and enriched with 0.5% by weight ground dry plant material) were studied using five sediment treatments each: 1) no PG added, 2) 4% PG by dry weight (homogenized), 3) 20% PG by dry weight (homogenized), 4) 2000 kg ha−l (surface applied), and 5) 5000 kg ha−l (surface applied), and the experiment was run in triplicate. There was a net flux of methane into sediment for all treatments that were maintained at the native organic matter level, indicating net methane oxidation. In the organic-enriched cores, both of the homogenized treatments exhibited no methane emissions, while the surface applied treatments retained the potential for high emissions. Soil respiration was depressed in all treatments when compared to controls, especially in the organic-enriched cores. The results conclude that it may be possible to add PG to non-vegetated areas with few observable effects on sediment respiration, but organic matter content and method of application are critical concerns.