Quantifying benefits associated with land application of organic residuals in Washington State.

This study was conducted to quantify soil C storage, N concentration, available P, and water holding capacity (WHC) across a range of sites in Washington State. Composts or biosolids had been applied to each site either annually at agronomic rates or at a one-time high rate. Site ages ranged from 2 to 18 years. For all but one site sampled, addition of organic amendments resulted in significant increases in soil carbon storage. Rates of carbon storage per dry Mg of amendment ranged from 0.014 (not significant) in a long-term study of turf grass to 0.54 in a commercial orchard. Soils with the lowest initial C levels had the highest rates of amendment carbon storage (r(2) = 0.37, p < 0.001). Excess C stored with use of amendments in comparison with control fields ranged from 8 to 72 Mg ha(-1). For sites with data over time, C content increased or stabilized. Increases in total N were observed at all sites, with increased WHC and available P observed at a majority of sites. Using a 50 Mg ha application rate, benefits of application of biosolids and compost ranged from 7 to 33 Mg C ha. This estimate does not account for yield increases or water conservation savings.

[1]  C. R. Carlson,et al.  Soil carbon sequestration resulting from long-term application of biosolids for land reclamation. , 2009, Journal of environmental quality.

[2]  S. Fransen,et al.  Seven years of biosolids versus inorganic nitrogen applications to tall fescue. , 2001, Journal of environmental quality.

[3]  T. Logan,et al.  Field response of soil physical properties to sewage sludge , 1998 .

[4]  A. L. Black,et al.  Organic Carbon Effects on Available Water Capacity of Three Soil Textural Groups , 1992 .

[5]  C. Boix‐Fayos,et al.  Long-term effect of a single application of organic refuse on carbon sequestration and soil physical properties. , 2008, Journal of environmental quality.

[6]  S. Fransen,et al.  Nitrogen Availability Seven Years After a High-Rate Food Waste Compost Application , 2003 .

[7]  R. O'Neill,et al.  The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital , 1997, Nature.

[8]  D. Huggins,et al.  Soil water and nitrogen dynamics in dryland cropping systems of Washington State, USA , 2003 .

[9]  John W. Doran,et al.  Soil health and global sustainability: translating science into practice☆ , 2002 .

[10]  R. C. Izaurralde,et al.  Carbon balance of the Breton Classical Plots over half a century , 2001 .

[11]  N. Krishnan,et al.  A screening life cycle metric to benchmark the environmental sustainability of waste management systems. , 2010, Environmental science & technology.

[12]  Stephan Pfister,et al.  Reducing humanity's water footprint. , 2010, Environmental science & technology.

[13]  R. Lal,et al.  Soil Carbon Sequestration Impacts on Global Climate Change and Food Security , 2004, Science.

[14]  A. Mehlich.  Mehlich 3 soil test extractant: A modification of Mehlich 2 extractant , 1984 .

[15]  Predicting Biosolids Application Rates for Dryland Wheat across a Range of Northwest Climate Zones , 2009 .

[16]  Mitigation of Climate Change through Land Reclamation with Biosolids : Carbon storage in reclaimed mine soils , life cycle analysis of biosolids reclamation , and ecosystem services with reforestation , 2010 .

[17]  R. Lal.  Soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change , 2004 .

[18]  Ned Beecher,et al.  Calculator Tool for Determining Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Biosolids Processing and End Use , 2011 .

[19]  A. Bary,et al.  Soil and Redosier Dogwood Response to Incorporated and Surface-applied Compost , 2008 .

[20]  W. Easterling.  Climate change and the adequacy of food and timber in the 21st century , 2007, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[21]  W. Wilhelm,et al.  Long‐Term Soil Organic Carbon as Affected by Tillage and Cropping Systems , 2010 .

[22]  Rattan Lal,et al.  Soil Science and the Carbon Civilization , 2007 .

[23]  R. Lal,et al.  Soil organic carbon pools and sequestration rates in reclaimed minesoils in Ohio. , 2001, Journal of environmental quality.

[24]  Sally Brown,et al.  Calculator tool for determining greenhouse gas emissions for biosolids processing and end use. , 2010, Environmental science & technology.

[25]  Gregory M Peters,et al.  Environmental comparison of biosolids management systems using life cycle assessment. , 2009, Environmental science & technology.

[26]  K. R. Reddy,et al.  Changes in soil physical properties due to organic waste applications : a review , 1981 .

[27]  C. Vörösmarty,et al.  Global water resources: vulnerability from climate change and population growth. , 2000, Science.

[28]  M. Al‐Kaisi,et al.  Soil carbon dynamics and carbon budget of newly reconstructed tall-grass prairies in south central Iowa. , 2010, Journal of environmental quality.

[29]  Morton A. Barlaz,et al.  Carbon storage during biodegradation of municipal solid waste components in laboratory‐scale landfills , 1998 .

[30]  Morton A Barlaz,et al.  Use of life-cycle analysis to support solid waste management planning for Delaware. , 2009, Environmental science & technology.

[31]  G. Evanylo.  Effects of Biosolids Application Timing and Soil Texture on Nitrogen Availability for Corn , 2003 .

[32]  M. M. Alley,et al.  Soil carbon sequestration with continuous no-till management of grain cropping systems in the Virginia coastal plain , 2008 .