Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/11931
Title: Utilization of sewage sludge for terrain stabilization in cold regions
Authors: Gaskin, D. A. (David A.)
Hannel, Wayne
Palazzo, A. J. (Antonio J.)
Bates, Roy E.
Stanley, Leonard E.
Keywords: Control
Stabilization
Soil stabilization
Terrain stabilization
Soils
Soil erosion
Erosion
Sewage
Sludge
Terrain
Wastewater
Sewage sludge
Cold weather conditions
Publisher: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Special report (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 77-37.
Description: Special Report
Abstract: A terrain stabilization research/demonstration site was constructed in May 1974 at Hanover, New Hampshire, to investigate various combinations of physical, chemical and biological techniques for terrain stabilization in cold regions. Fourteen test plots (10 x 40 ft) with individual 350-gal. tanks to collect sediment were installed on a 16° slope. These 14 test plots were to examine the effectiveness of sewage sludge and primary effluent on terrain stabilization in cold regions. In 13 of the 14 plots the variables studied were nutrient source (fertilizer, sludge and primary wastewater), moisture (irrigated and nonirrigated), erosion control material (jute netting, straw tacked with a tacking compound, and no erosion control material), and vegetation (three grasses and two legumes). The control plot was left bare of seed, fertilizer and erosion control material for comparison. A 20,000-ft^2 area adjacent to the 14 plots was installed for general testing of various combinations of tacking chemicals, plastic netting, straw, and wood fiber mulch. In general, all treatments with the exception of two plots were effective in reducing soil loss in comparison with the control which had a loss of 34,531 lb. of soil (dry weight) on a per acre basis. The effectiveness of treatment based on comparison of the soil loss for the individual treatment against. the control plot ranged from 89.6% to 99.8%. There is strong indication from the sediment loss data collected that the sludge is acting both as a nutrient source and as an erosion control material (net) by reducing runoff velocity and absorbing moisture. If the soil loss is considered as a function of the nutrient source in groups, the sludge-treated plots average 150 lb., the fertilized plots 814 lb. ahd the wastewater plots 981.7 lb of soil loss per acre.
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/11931
Appears in Collections:Special Report

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