Influence of zinc sulfate and municipal solid waste compost on chemical forms of zinc in calcareous soils

Abstract

ABSTRACTZinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for crop growth. This metal can be found in chemical forms or fractions in the soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of Zn in special chemical forms using the sequential extraction method after treating eight calcareous soils by zinc sulfate and municipal solid waste (MSW) compost. Zn was separated in seven defined forms as exchangeable (Ex), carbonate (Car), organic (Om), manganese oxide bound (MnOX), amorphous iron oxide bound (FeAOX), crystalline iron oxide bound (FeCOX), and residual (Res). According to the results, the mean concentrations of Zn in chemical forms in untreated soils from higher to lower were 31.84, 8.13, 2.64, 2.57, 0.45, 0.39, and 0.16 mg kg−1 for the Res, FeCOX, Car, FeAOX, Om, MnOX, and Ex forms, respectively. The total applied Zn to the studied soils from both the sources of zinc sulfate and MSW compost after incubation for 30 days was converted to chemical forms in the following order: Car > Res > FeCOX > Om > FeAOX > MnOX > Ex. On average, 30.3% of total Zn from zinc sulfate and 28.8% of total Zn in the MSW compost were converted into the Car form. The high content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the studied soils is an important factor affecting the conversion of Zn forms, mostly in the Car form through the application of both the inorganic and the organic sources of Zn.