Abstract
Nitrogen dynamics were assessed for a forested site in southern New Hampshire during the first and second growing seasons after surface application of an aerobically-digested, limed, liquid municipal sludge. Sludge was applied in June 1989, at 3.3, 6.9, and 14.5 M ha-1 (or 199, 396, and 740 kg TKN ha-1). Elevated net N mineralization (in situ buried bags) occurred in the organic and upper mineral soil horizons during the first two months after sludge application, but was similar to control levels thereafter. Net N mineralization was negligible at 30 and 60 cm soil depths. Foliar N concentration increased with sludge loading rates. Concentrations of NH4+ and NO3- in soil leachate were low, except in early fall when microbial activity was still high and plant demand was low. In trenched subplots where vegetative uptake was eliminated, NO3- concentrations in soil leachate (60 cm) rose to between 15 and 35 mg N L-1 in the first year and remained high in the second year. Other studies reported higher magnitudes of NO3- leaching from treated plots. These studies and the findings reported here shown the characteristics of the sludge being applied to land are at least as important as the physical and chemical characteristics of the site to which they are to be applied.
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Hallett, R.A., Bowden, W.B. & Smith, C.T. Nitrogen Dynamics in Forest Soils after Municipal Sludge Additions. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 112, 259–278 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005086413282
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005086413282