Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/9566
Title: The effects of wastewater application on the growth and chemical composition of forages
Authors: Palazzo, A. J. (Antonio J.)
Keywords: Application rates
Wastewater
Forages
Water treatment
Heavy metals
Yield
Soils
Sewage
Publisher: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: CRREL report ; 76-39.
Description: CRREL Report
Abstract: The contribution of a forage mixture in the renovation of wastewater by a prototype slow infiltration land treatment system was studied from June 1974 to June 1975. The forage was grown in six outdoor cells, three containing a Windsor sandy loam soil and three a Charlton silt loam. Three cells received primary and three received secondary wastewater at various application rates. Crop yields, soils and tissue analyses, plant removal efficiency and total uptake of applied nutrients were related to the rate of wastewater applied. Dry matter production, plant heavy metal concentrations, and plant removal of nitrogen and phosphorus all increased as the rate of applied wastewater increased from 5 to 15 cm/week (2 to 6 in./wk). Total dry matter production ranged from 9.63 to 12.99 metric tons/ha (4.33 to 5.81 tons/acre), and total uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus ranged from 309 to 453 kg/ha (278 to 408 lb/acre) and from 32 to 42 kg/ha (29 to 38 lb/acre), respectively. An increase in wastewater application rates suppressed nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency by plants. Forages receiving 5 cm/wk (2 in./wk) of wastewater removed 74% and 83% of the N applied during the growing season, in contrast to the 44% removed by those treated with 15 cm/wk (6 in./wk) of wastewater. Forages grown on the Charlton soils produced a greater amount of dry matter and removed more N and less heavy metals than those grown on the Windsor soils. Soil analyses in spring 1975 showed reductions in soil pH and in the total amounts of exchangeable cations, as compared to analyses performed in spring 1974. Soils receiving the greatest application rate of wastewater (15 cm/wk or 6 in./wk) showed the greatest reduction. Wastewater application during 1974 increased the amount of soluble soil P. Higher amounts of soil-extractable P were also noted at the highest wastewater application rate.
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/9566
Appears in Collections:CRREL Report

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