Abstract
Fly ash and steel slag can potentially mitigate the cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) accumulation in rice grains but their long-term effectiveness and impact on soil health are unclear. By running a four-crop-season field trial, we found that the concentrations of Cd, As and inorganic As in rice grains were significantly reduced by steel slag and (consecutively applied) fly ash. For both amendments, decreased soil extractable Cd by increased pH was crucial in reducing grain Cd, but soil re-acidification diminished their effects. Increased soil extractable silicon played a key role in alleviating grain As accumulation. Steel slag had a more persistent effect on reducing grain Cd than fly ash but the sustainability of their effects on reducing grain As depended on rice cultivars. Steel slag improved soil fertility by increasing soil calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc but chromium and nickel were also increased; it also enhanced the activities of soil urease and alkaline phosphatase, shifted soil bacterial community composition, and increased bacterial diversity. Fly ash had little effect on soil health. Our results indicated that steel slag had positive and sustainable effects on mitigating grain Cd and As accumulation but its potential negative impact on soil health requires in-depth monitoring.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.