Virginia Tech
Availability and Surface Runoff of Phosphorus from Compost Amended Mid-Atlantic Soils
Abstract
dc:description.abstractThe accumulation of P in soil from land-applied biosolids and manure increases the risk for P enrichment of agricultural runoff. Transport of these residuals to areas where P may be efficiently utilized is necessary to reduce the threat to water quality. Composting can improve biosolids and manure handling characteristics to make their transportation more feasible; however, little is known about P dynamics in compost-amended soil. We investigated the factors controlling P solubility and plant availability in two soils, a Kempsville fine sandy loam (Typic Hapludult) and a Fauquier silty clay loam (Ultic Hapludalf), amended with one of 4 composts (2 biosolids composts and 2 poultry litter - yard waste composts), poultry litter, or inorganic P (as KH2PO4) in incubation and greenhouse pot studies. We also compared the effects of compost, poultry litter and commercial fertilizer on surface P runoff from a Fauquier silty clay loam that had received compost, poultry litter, or commercial fertilizer for 5 years. Organic amendments with higher concentrations of Fe, Al, and Ca had lower relative P solubility/availability. Phosphorus solubility in the Kempsville fine sandy loam, having far lower native P binding capacity, was more affected by Fe, Al, and Ca applied with the organic amendments. The concentration of P in runoff from the compost treatments was higher; however, infiltration was increased and runoff decreased so the mass loss of P and sediment was lower. Improved soil physical properties associated with compost applications aid to limit P runoff.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- masters
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2004
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Spargo, John Thomas
- Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Evanylo, Gregory K.
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Mullins, Gregory L.
- Alley, Marcus M.
Subjects
dc:subject × 4Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- etd-01032005-092600
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40532