Abstract
The use of sewage sludge in agriculture and recovery of degraded areas has been shown as a promising alternative for its final destination. Studies on micronutrient levels after sludge application are necessary to avoid soil contamination at toxic levels. The objective of this work was to verify the micronutrient contents in the soil profile and pH, up to one-meter-deep, nine years after the application of sewage sludge and planting of native species of the Atlantic Forest. The experiment was implemented in a degraded Quartzeneic Neosol and conducted in randomized blocks with four replicates and eight treatments, consisting of six doses of sewage sludge (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mg ha-1, with supplementation of potassium due to low concentration in the residue), besides the control treatment, mineral fertilization and only potassium supplementation. After nine years, the contents of all micronutrients evaluated presented a significant response to the application of the treatments, and the application of sewage sludge provided an increase in their contents. Soil pH remained stable at sites receiving mineral fertilization and potassium supplementation. Only manganese and zinc showed mobility in the soil profile. The application of sewage sludge in degraded soil increases the micronutrient content and decreases its movement in the soil profile, and the application of the maximum dose of the residue does not provide toxic levels of these elements in the soil in the long term.
Highlights
The recycling of sewage sludge in agriculture and to recover degraded areas has shown to be a promising alternative, since these destinations can transform waste into an agricultural input, the sludge contains some essential elements to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium (SILVA et al, 2010), and micronutrients (CHIBA et al, 2008)
The lowest pH values were observed in the sites that received the residue and in the control treatment (Table 3)
The effect of sewage sludge application on soil pH is dependent on the type of treatment the residue received, rate and frequency of application of the sludge and soil properties, such as texture and buffering capacity
Summary
The recycling of sewage sludge in agriculture and to recover degraded areas has shown to be a promising alternative, since these destinations can transform waste into an agricultural input, the sludge contains some essential elements to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium (SILVA et al, 2010), and micronutrients (CHIBA et al, 2008). Sludge has the ability to improve soil physical attributes, increasing water retention capacity, porosity and stability of the aggregates, mainly due to the increase of organic matter in the soil (RICCI et al, 2010). By improving the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, sewage sludge contributes to its recovery as well. M. L. et al ISSN eletrônico 1982-4688
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