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Restoring Ecosystem Function in Degraded Urban Soil Using Biosolids, Biosolids Blend, and Compost
Journal of Environmental Quality
|February 2, 2016
Summary
Biosolids and compost amendments significantly improved degraded industrial soils, enhancing vegetation and soil health. Biosolids generally outperformed compost, with minimal risk to surface water quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Ecology
Background:
- Degraded soils at former industrial sites pose ecological challenges.
- Restoration efforts require effective soil amendments to improve ecosystem function.
- Minimizing surface water contamination is crucial during site remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate compost, biosolids, and biosolids blends for improving soil ecosystem function.
- To assess the impact of these amendments on soil quality and vegetation.
- To determine the potential effects on surface water quality.
Main Methods:
- Application of biosolids, compost, or a biosolids blend to degraded soil.
- Monitoring of soil properties, vegetation establishment, and earthworm populations.
- Analysis of rainfall runoff for nutrients and microconstituents over three years.
Main Results:
- Amendments enhanced soil quality, nutrient availability, and vegetation cover.
- Biosolids treatments generally outperformed compost in improving soil function and biodiversity.
- Increased nitrogen and phosphorus were observed in runoff, but microconstituent levels were below harmful thresholds.
Conclusions:
- Biosolids and compost are effective for restoring degraded industrial soils.
- Biosolids show superior performance compared to compost for soil ecosystem recovery.
- Careful management and runoff control are recommended to mitigate nutrient and sediment loss during restoration.
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