Estimating mineralisation of organic nitrogen from biosolids and other organic wastes applied to soils in subtropical Australia

Pu, Guixin, Bell, Mike, Barry, Glenn and Want, Peter (2012) Estimating mineralisation of organic nitrogen from biosolids and other organic wastes applied to soils in subtropical Australia. Soil Research, 50 2: 91-104.


Author Pu, Guixin
Bell, Mike
Barry, Glenn
Want, Peter
Title Estimating mineralisation of organic nitrogen from biosolids and other organic wastes applied to soils in subtropical Australia
Journal name Soil Research  (ERA 2012 Listed)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1071/SR11272
Volume number 50
Issue number 2
ISSN 1838-675X; 1838-6768
Start page 91
End page 104
Total pages 14
Place of publication Collingwood, VIC, Austalia
Publisher CSIRO Publishing
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Abstract One major benefit of land application of biosolids is to supply nitrogen (N) for agricultural crops, and understanding mineralisation processes is the key for better N-management strategies. Field studies were conducted to investigate the process of mineralisation of three biosolids products (aerobic, anaerobic, and thermally dried biosolids) incorporated into four different soils at rates of 7–90 wet t/ha in subtropical Queensland. Two of these studies also examined mineralisation rates of commonly used organic amendments (composts, manures, and sugarcane mill muds). Organic N in all biosolids products mineralised very rapidly under ambient conditions in subtropical Queensland, with rates much faster than from other common amendments. Biosolids mineralisation rates ranged from 30 to 80% of applied N during periods ranging from 3.5 to 18 months after biosolids application; these rates were much higher than those suggested in the biosolids land application guidelines established by the NSW EPA (15% for anaerobic and 25% for aerobic biosolids). There was no consistently significant difference in mineralisation rate between aerobic and anaerobic biosolids in our studies. When applied at similar rates of N addition, other organic amendments supplied much less N to the soil mineral N and plant N pools during the crop season. A significant proportion of the applied biosolids total N (up to 60%) was unaccounted for at the end of the observation period. High rates of N addition in calculated Nitrogen Limited Biosolids Application Rates (850–1250 kg N/ha) resulted in excessive accumulation of mineral N in the soil profile, which increases the environmental risks due to leaching, runoff, or gaseous N losses. Moreover, the rapid mineralisation of the biosolids organic N in these subtropical environments suggests that biosolids should be applied at lower rates than in temperate areas, and that care must be taken with the timing to maximise plant uptake and minimise possible leaching, runoff, or denitrification losses of mineralised N.
Keyword Biosolids
Leaching
Mineralisation
Nitrogen loss
Runoff
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
Official 2013 Collection
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 0 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article
Scopus Citation Count Cited 0 times in Scopus Article
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 13 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Mon, 23 Apr 2012, 21:42:45 EST by System User on behalf of Qld Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation