ISSN:
1475-2743
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract. Restoration of landfill sites to a vegetated after-use is severely compromised if soil-forming materials (SFMs) have to be used as substitute growing media for the restoration cap, owing partly to their poorly-developed structure. The effects of crushed brick material (brick), composted green-waste organic matter (OM) and potassium chloride salt (KCl) in a clay SFM were assessed at the Brogborough Landfill Site (Shank Group plc) in the county of Bedfordshire, UK. Soil structure was characterized three times in a two-year experimental period through measuring drainage water release and aggregate stability and size distribution. Crushed brick and composted OM at 100 t ha−1 improved the ability of the clay to release water by drainage. In addition, the composted OM was associated with an increase in the size of stable aggregates, whereas the brick amendment reduced the overall aggregate stability. The KCl amendment had no consistent effect. Some beneficial structural improvements were thus associated with the brick and OM amendments, although these were rarely significant at the 5% level and the effects declined over time in the absence of vegetation and re-application. Nevertheless, incorporation of crushed brick and organic amendments may offer a potential structure-improving option in clay SFMs prior to vegetation establishment.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2003.tb00315.x
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