summary of experimental research on the … normally associated with land disposal of ... plant...

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SUMMARY OF

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON

THE INDUSTRIAL PILES OF HASTE MATERIAL

AMBLER, PENNSYLVANIA

Prepared for Nlcolet Inc., Ambler, Pennsylvania

September 1, 1977

A. H. Johnson and Craig C. ShraderUniversity of Pennsylvania

Department of Landscape Architectureand Regional Planning

Philadelphia. Pennsylvania 19104

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r- INTRODUCTIONA-' Tho objective pf this project was to determine a method

pf revegetating the exposed areas of Nicolet's waste piles

to substantially reduce surface erosion, and possible asbestos

fP>ev emission,

The piles cover 27 acres with approximately eight flat

acres while the remaining 19 acres have ilope* ranging fromP P 928 -42 with the majority of slopes having a 3$ angle. The

piles range from 60-80 feet high.*

The project had six major aspects in the experimental ,, • •research. They were tot 1) define the composition and varia-

r bility of the spoil material near the surface of the pile by

X-ray diffraction, 2) define the nature of the surface material

as a medium for plant growth, 3) determine the plant materials

that should be used in reclamation through results frgm green-

house and field experiments) 4) define the nature and chemical

composition of the resulting vegetation, 5) identify any poten-

tial environmental hazards from the recommended reclamation

> plan and, fl) estimate the costs involved in revest at ing the

site.

METHODS

All laboratory growth experiments were conducted in green-

( house conditions using a 16 hour photoperiod. all pot•J

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6

experiments were conducted in duplicate or triplicate.

Q Field experiments were planted at various locations '

which corresponded to the different types of spoil substrates.

Plant Tissue analysis was performed by Cornell University

and analysis of plant available elements was done at Penn

State University. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed

at the University of Pennsylvania. Field determination of

indigenous vegetation was dono by Dr. Peter Skaller, Carol

Franklin and Leslie Sauer.•

RESULTS

The spoil material provides an environment for plants

which is hostile — the pH is very high (9.3-10.1), the

salinity is high (specific conductance 2.3 tnmhos/cm) and

there is an excess of magnesium. Hater is probably sufficient,

since the spoil has a high moisture holding capacity.

Organic amendments such as animal manures or. sewage

sludge act as soil conditioners and are necessary for an

immediate vegetative cover and for the Icng term establishment

of that cover. Plants were tested in amended and unamended

spoil conditions using various organic amendments. Data from

greenhouse and field experiments suggests that plants will

grow and bind the spoil on the steep slopes only if the area

is amended with an organic, material. Municipal sewage sludge

was found to be the most effective . organic amendment which

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could be easily obtained in large enough quantities.rX Plants grown in sewage sludge provide a good cover on '

the steep slopes of the pile of spoil and fill in the gaps

between the weeds or forb species on the flat tops and roads.

Sewage sludge plots produced healthy vegetation and controlled

the surface erosion problem. Tall wheat grass provided 80-90%

of the cover in field trials, and this alkaline-tolerant, salt

tolerant, drought resistant grass is recommended for the re-

vegetation program.*

Sewage sludge also increases the calciunumagnesium ratio. »•The chemical properties of the spoil immobilize the

heavy metals present in the sewage sludge, Cadmium, Copper,

A Lead, Nickel and Zinc all exhibit their lowest solubilities at

pH's of 8.5-9.5, right within the range o£ the spoil material

•mended with sewage sludga. Laboratory column experiments indi-

cate that the white calcium carbonate spoil material is effective

in reducing the heavy metal content (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) of

the leaching water to vary low (100 parts per billion or less)

levels and the addition of these metals in the sludge should

constitute no hazard to Wissahickon Creek. The high pB of the

spoil material should minimize nitrate pollution by volitilization

of NR3 (ammonia) during the transformation of organic nitrogen

to nitrate.uj Heavy metals generally increase in plant availability with

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r sludge applications. But the concentrations in the plant

Q tissue do not increase and the grasses did not accumulate/

heavy metals in toxic amounts. In fact, the plant uptake of

heavy metals from sludge amended spoil was about the same as

the uptake of those metals from normal soils!

RECOMMENDATIONS

Tall wheat grass provides high yields, a good cover.

binds the surface material with root growth and is the most

tolerant of the severe conditions found in the spoil material.

We suggest an application rate of 168 Kg/ha (150 Ib/acre) grass

seed.

,- Municipal sewage sludge is a suitable amendment for

O plant growth. Results from this study suggests the heavy metal

hazards normally associated with land disposal of aewaga sludge

are not found when the sludge is incorporated with the alkaline

spoil material. The pH of the amended material minimizes the

likelihood of nitrate pollution. Composted sludge should not

present a health hazard to those who work with it in reclamation

or to the community and a weak odor is only detectable in cloaei..

proximity to the sludge. The recommended rate of sludge is

179 MT/ha (SO tons/acre).

The sludge must be incorporated to a depth of 6-8 inches.

This procedure should be followed to aid in grass development0

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on the slopes of the piles.

Q Hydro seeding is the best method to broadcast the seed.

It is probably the most economical. The mulch solution used

to hydroseed should contain: 1) tall wheat grass ® 168 Kg.fia,

2) fertilizer® 100 Us. N/acre, 3) fiber mulch. After the

seed mulch is applied an erosion control mulch should be

spread. Hay applied with a power hay mulcher should be put

over the hydro seeded area at a rate of 2 tons/acre. An

asphalt tacking is then hydro applied over the hay so it does

not blow away.

Six inches of topsoil plus hydroseeding and the coat for

spreading the topsoil on the pile ranges between $8,023-$9,039

O P*' acre. Three feet of topsoil delivered1 without spreading

and surface preparations costs $16,940-$29,040 per acre.

Reclamation with sewage sludge costs a maximum of $5,700 per

acre for hydroseeding, and sludge incorporation and surface

preparation.

We believe the costs for reclamation with sewage sludge

can be trimmed; perhaps to $2,500 per acre, if I/free trucking

of sludge can be secured and 2/hand labor is used to incor-

porate the sludge.

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8

"The Reclamation and Heavy Metal Dynamics of anAlkaline Industrial Waste Pile in Ambler, Pennsylvania"

ABSTRACT

Research was conducted to revecjetate an alkaline asbestosspoils pile in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Various organic amend-ments, plant materials and reclamation techniques wereresearched in growth experiments under greenhouse and fieldconditions. Tall Hheatgrasa (Agropyron elongatum) a planttolerant of saline and alkali conditions was a vigorous gerrain-ator and provided a 80-90% cover in plots amended*with municipalsewage sludge. ;

The environmental hazards of sewage sludge were identifiedbased on plant available heavy metal soil teats, plant tissueanalysis for Cd, Cu, Pb, Hi and Zn and column leaching experi-ments. The concentrationa of heavy metals in plant tissue werelow within the range of natural heavy metal contamination ofplants. Concentrations of metals in leachate were in the ug/1range, cadmium was within EPA drinking water standards. Thegeochemistry, phytotoxicities and food chain cycling aspectsof heavy metals in soils and amended alkaline spoil conditionswas also investigated.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction , ' "?Literature Review

Physical Composition of Sludges ^Chemical Analysis of Philorganic 16-uSources of Heavy Metals I'Hazards from Sewage Sludge la-laFood Chain and Management Aspects of Land

Disposal of Sewage sludge "il"Natural Concentrations of Metals Found in Soils and Plants 2* ]The Use of sewage Sludge in other Reclamation ProjectsPathogenic Hazards '*•*Costs of Sewage Sludge Disposal 3|Adaptability of Plant Materials 3Z

* H

Methodsv

MineralogyPhysical PropertiesChemical PropertiesVegetation IdentificationLaboratory column Experiments

Materials & MethodsPreparation of Samples and StandardsAnalytical Determinations

Results --- 51"UDiscussion 113- I Ml

Recommendations JM2.-IH"

Literature cited ' Hi -W

Appendix

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LIST OF FIGURES AND GRAPHS

>S Figure II-l Soil-Plant interaction equilibria for Copper.-'' ' Graph IV-1 _ Mean Biomass of K-31 vs Spoil Type. ?<•

Graph IV-2 Mean Biomass of streambank Hheatgrass va SpoilType. 11

Graph IV-3 Mean Biomass of Tall Hheatgrass vs Spoil Type. 7Q|Graph IV-4 Mean Yield for Fertilized Pots, "MGraph IV-5 Tissue concentration of K vs Yield, 80Graph IV-6 Tissue concentration of Mg vs Yield. 81Figure IV-1 Rooting in Pots. QSGraph IV-7 Yield vs Application Rate of Sludge for Amended

Spoil 3.Graph IV-8 Yield vs Application Rate of sludge for Amended _,,,

Spoil 7. *WGraph IV-9 Yield vs Application Rate of Sludge for Amended

Soil,. <oc|Graph IV-10 Plant Available Calcium:Magnesium vs Yield for

Tall Hheatgrass. iol\Graph IV-11 Plant Available Calcium:Magnesium vs Yield for

K-31. * ItGraph IV-12 Copper va Application Rate. , 103Graph IV-13 zinc vs Application Rate. • 104Graph IV-14 Nickel vs Application Rate. tosGraph IV-1S Cadmium vs Application Rate. '°*Graph IV-16 Lead vs Application Rate. /o?Graph IV-l7 CEC vs Application Rate. «AGraph IV-18 Uptake of Pb vs Application Rate for Tall

Wheatgrass, 'Graph IV-19 Uptake of Cd vs Application Rate for Tall ...

Wheatgrass. "*•Graph IV-20 Uptake of Cd vs Plant Available Cd for Tall

Wheatgrass and K-31. "*Graph IV-21 Uptake of Magnesium vs Yield for K-31. u4Graph IV-22 Calcium:Magnesium vs Yield for K-31 and Tall

Wheatgrass. • 'Graph IV-23 Heavy Metals in Leachate vs Application Rate

of Sludge in Spoil columns. Il0'ti> \Graph IV-24 Immobilization of Heavy Metals by the Spoil

with Increasing Depth. 'Graph V-l pH Values for Amended and Unamended Spoil. \3CFigure V-l . Zinc and Copper Solubilities. 1*1Figure V-2 Nitrogen Cycle MOGraph V-2 -Log Concentrations of NH^ and NH3( j vs pH. M

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8

LIST OF TABLES

TableComposition of Sludges ^Constituents of Philorganic Sewage sludge IGChemical Analysis of Philorganic ''Heavy Metal Comparison • '*•Lead Content of Ryegrass Shoots and Roots i0Nickel Content of Plants ioTotal Concentrations of Trace Elements Typically

Found in Soils and Plants M*II-7 Survival Times of Pathogenic Microorganisms in

Various Media 11-»III-l Location of X-ray Diffraction Samples 4CIV-1 Mineralogy of Spoil Material 58-51IV-2 Spoil Sample Identification (»(IV-3 Particle Size and Hater Retention Capabilities of , 7

Various Spoil Substrates wIV-4 Temperature and Soil Moisture Data » <°HIV-5 Chemical Analysis of Seven Spoil Types and Fifteen*

Spoil samples faBIV-6 Chemical Analysis of Samples 101-104 70IV-7 Natural Vegetation "ll-1i|IV-8 Yield of Grass from Greenhouse Experiment with.

Horse ManureIV-9 Results of Plant Tissue Analysis of Plants Grown

with Horse ManureIV-10 Chemical Analysis for Plant Available ElementsIV-11 Plant Tissue Data of Plants Grown with Sewage Sludge 95IV-12 Yield of Grasses from Greenhouse Sludge Experiment 4fcIV-13 Total Concentrations of Trace Elements Typically

Found in Soils and Plants . "<IV-14 Column Leaching Experimental DataV-l Possible Uses for the Haste Piles by the Science ^

CenterV-2 Calcium:Magnesium Ratios of Unamended Spoil 11°V-3 Growth of Agropyron elongatum on Saline Substrates fiZ.VI-1 Cost Assessment for Topaoil 'VI-2 Cost for Reclamation with Sludge H<»V-3 Summary of Cost M5

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8

IntroductionAabeataa has come under strong attack by the nodical

.and health professions', environmentalists, and local, stateand federal governments. The industrial waste site inAmbler, discuaaed in this report, la a waste pile whichcontains email percentages of asbestos aa well aa largerpercentages of calcium and magnesium carbonates and hydrox-ides, The reclamation effort is mandated by regulations onNational Emission Standard for Asbestos published in theFederal Register Vol. 40, No, 199, October 14, 1975, Thethree alternatives for an inactive waste disposal aite are ,found in section 61.22 paragraph (1) (5) i-iii PP 48301-48302 and state:

1) An owner may use an alternative controlmethod for emissions from the aite whichmust be approved by the Administrator; or

2) the waste pile shall be covered with 15centimeters (6 inches) of a compactednon-aabestoa containing material andhave an established cover of vegetationto prevent further exposure of the' waate;or

3) the waste pile shall be covered with atleast 60 centimeters (2 feet) of a com-pacted non-aabeatos containing material andmaintained to prevent exposure of the waate.

Baaed on the nature of the pile and the coat of materials .and engineering, an alternative control method is the leastexpensive alternative open to the owner of the waate pile.

The objective of this project ia to determine alternatives

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8

for revegetating the exposed areas by establishing a completeplant cover to substantially reduce surface erosion, elimi-nate possible asbestos biber emission, and create a moreasthethically pleasing environment.

The industrial spoils pile is located on the propertyof Nicolet Inc. in Ambler, Pennsylvania. The regional mapshows the location of Ambler, in relation to the PhiladelphiaMetropolitan Area. The local map shows the location of theindustrial asbestos spoils pile on the Nicolet property.

The three spoils piles are bordered on the. north byresidential and industrial property, on the west and south >by Viasahickon Creek and its flood plain and to the east bythe Reading Railroad and Industrial property owned by Certain-Teed Products Corp. The spoils piles cover 27 acres. Approx-imately eight of the acres are flat while the remaining 19acres have slopes ranging from 28 degrees - 42 degrees withthe majority of slopes having a 35 degree angle.

The spoils piles range in height from 60 to 80 feet.There are two types of spoil material that have been dumpedon the site, the calcium carbonate waste and the flberousprocess material waate. The spoils piles havo been a re-ceptacle for bad manufacturing production runs and othersolid waste from the factory, These wastes combined withthe cinders from the boilers, have produced a substrate

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I'M II Ml

that has an irregular surface and a non-uniform "soil"•J profile. The piles do have a vegetative cover in aome places.

However, this cover is not adequate in preventing surfaceerosion from the sides, The areas that have natural vege-tation are those that are either flat or those that do notcontain the same chemical composition as the calcium car-bonate magnesium hydroxide waate. Dumping began in the early1930's on an area that has been designated as the "old"pile. (See plate I). At that time, piping and shingleoperations needed magnesium carbonate (magnesia) as a rawmaterial. The process of extracting magnesia from dolonitiolimestone produced 30 to 40 tons of carbonate waate per day

, which was transported as a slurry to the nite. The waateQ originally filled an old quarry but even I ally cinders from

the boiler plant were used to make berras to contain thecarbonate slurry. Dumping was stopped on the old pile inthe early 1940*s because the pile was getting too high. Thewaste, which was still being generated, was'dumped on a newsite 275 meters (300 yarda) to the aoutheast.

Dumping on the "solid waate" pile began concurrentlywith the old'pile. (See plate I). This site was used pri-marily for cinders and bad production runs. Dumping wasstopped in the late 1960's.

The "new" pile was created in the 1940'a after the oldpile could no longej accommodate more waste material. It

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PLATE I

IDENTIFICATION cj

SPOIL PILES

,[>LD .

WAST

NEW

A r i a Iniiae d o t t « (llnti It ll«t «ndcor r ttp o nds to t r

pi of Iht p i l t t

SOURCE:A t r i a I P h o t o g r i

March,1975

NO.RTH

1«7i

00

PLATE I

IDENTIFICATION

SPOIL PILES

ID WAS

d o l tHat imo n d a totht pi'

og

101

/-> has been used recently as a dump site for wet manufacturingprocess wastes. Originally the calcium carbonate was de-posited on this aite. Prior to 1964, a paper machine con-tributed some process waste. From 1970-1971 to August 1975,an asbestos cement sludge waa pumped up on the new pile.Recently, millboard and monolithic product process wastewas pumped as a slurry to the pile. Continuous dumpingstopped in 1976 on this pile. Cindera and pumice rock wastewas used to build the barms on the new pile.

Apparently there have been some previous attempts torevegetate aome portions of the spoil piles. Plantings hav»been made but their location and composition is unknown.Information on previous attempts at reclamation of the pilesis incomplete and most is based on heresay.

This project had six major aspects to the experimentalresearch. They were as follows:

1) To define the composition and variabilityof the material near the surface o'f thepile by X-ray diffraction analysis.

2) To define the nature of the surface materialas a medium for plant growth.

3) To 'determine the plant materials that shouldbe used in reclamation through results fromgreenhouse and field experiments,

4) To define the nature and chemical compositionof the resulting vegetation.

6

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>" 5) Identify any potential environmental hazards;?;VL from theproposed reclamation plan and,

6) Estimate of cost for revegetating the 27acre site.

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literature Review—————————Sewage-sludge is produced from municipal and industrial

• waatewater. Treatment facilities concentrate heavy mo'talsin the sludge as much as 1CT times over the liquid effluent.(Lagerwerff etal,(l976). The heavy metals tend to complex orprecipitate with other solids. There is variability in theconcentrations of trace elements or heavy metals containedin sludges from' different treatment facilities. This isdue to the type and degree of waatewater treatment and thetypes of industry discharging waste effluent. (Page,(1974);Bradford at al( 1975)), Table II-l lists the general compo- ,

•

sition of sludges from the primary sludge cake (fresh solids)(" and.for two treatment types. Table II-2a lists the compo-O sition of sludge from the southwest treatment plant where

Philorganic is generated. Philorganic is a anaerobicallydigested sewage aludge that la generated from the City ofPhiladelphia's Southwest Pollution Control Facility. Beforebeing marketed as Philorganic, the sludge is digested anddewatered on an open land 'site until the percent solids is60 - 705&. Table II-2b show the chemical analysis and TableII-3 compares the three Philadelphia generated sludgeswith sludges from other cities in the country.

"Heavy Metals" is a general term and is used synony- •nously with the terns trace elements and trace inorganics.

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'" aHLEII-1

.o CCHP06ITIOH OF SLUDGES*

•Includes lingin

Fresh Activated DigestedConstituent Solids It) Sludges (O Sludftes (t)

Organic matter ' " 60-80 ' 65-75 4>60

Total aah 20-40 25-38 40-55

Insoluble ash 17-35 22-30 35-50Pentosans ' 1.0 2.1 1.5

'Grease and fat(ether-soluble natter) 7-35 5-1?. 3*5-17

Hemicelluloses 3.2 — ' 1*6

Cellulose 3.8 7.0» 0.6 •Lignin 5*8 — 8*4

C Protein' 22-28 37.5 16-21O

Adapted from Muncipal Sewage Treatmentprepared for Council of EnvironQuality and Environmental Protectionagency.

0s

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TABLE IMtf

COKSTITUEH1S OF PHILORGAKIO 8EHAGE SLUDGE

- ———————————Total Solids 60-70

VolitUe solids 255? - 30jJGrease and Oils 3#

Inorganic 30)JSend, gravel, grit 25> - 2$Phosphours (PjOj) 1.5 - $Nitrogen 1 - 2 ){Heavy Metals 1$Potassium (k20) 0.2 - 0.5£

O

City of Philadelphia .From: Thomas Lauletta (personal »

ooonunioation) '

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TABLE H-2b

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OP PHILORGANIC

K; Parameter • Philorganie

Total Solids (£ by weight)Volatile Solids (% by weight)pH (standard units)Fecal Coliform (org/g)

- Values Below are Expressed in og/kg.

Amonia as N

Phosphorus (as P20.)

MercuryChromiumi p»*

ManganeseU<l 1* 1

Zinc

ArsenicSelenium

60-70247.2

150

AA fM\

1,36017,000

an3.616W5tat

12,100

670

1,855

0,072 A

0.221.05

PESTICID RESIDUES

range BeanPCB XBT- 0/09 753Aldrin 0.02 - 0.00013 0.006?

I/ City of Philadelphia, Sludge Management Unitr~' /Jity of Philadelphia, Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant

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•'•:"•' ' TABLEIW . ~~~ — ———^

HEAVY METAL COMPARISON

Philadelphia vs. Other Unitsd States Cities•'. 0

City

Northeast

Southwest

Philorganic

:ago-Calunet (1)

Iork,City (avg.) (3)Jersey (avg.) (3)(Plains (2)ienf '4)-ir-Gw (5)Franeisco-EBiUD (6)irganite (2)

Zinc(ug/kg)

6,853

3,3751,855

6,100

2,550

3,3001,908

1,8993,1004,7001,262

July

Cadmium

71

3416

20928

13218

41534079

7, 1976

CdiZn

1.0

1.0.86

3.41.14.01.02.2

1.70.856.2

Copper

1,867

746

625

1,2352,300

840

583379

1,600730359

Niohel(ag/kg)

383

8544

21

340

173796740327083

Lead(ng/kg)

2,137

2,110

1,815

1,686

4,500

1,620 T

634563

1,0831,000710

Chromiua(mg/kg)

2,020

TOO

495

9841,640

1,300N.A.402 1

" 690 11,600 1N.A. 1

References

Conference on Muncipal Sludge Management and Disposal - 1975 - Values Calculated fromwet weight concentrations.Telephone conversation with Dr. Rufus Chaney, U.S. <)epartnent of Agriculture, Belts-.-ille,Maryland, May, 1976. ' <Interstate Sanitation Cconission Phase I Report on Alternatives, 1975.V.S.E.P.A. Public Hearing Notice No. OD 0023, June, 1976.Hater and Hastes Engineering, September, 1974.Hater Pollution Control Federation - Conference Proceedings, Denver, 1974.

Front City of PhiladelphiaHater DepartmentSludge Management Unit

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Technically, heavy metals are those elements with a density0 greater tbanJj.O. Heavy metals considered in this project

are Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), andZinc (Zn). Only copper and zinc are plant essential micro-nutrients. Cadmium is a concern due to its nobility in thesoil and it is readily accumulated by plants. Copper, Zincand Nickel are phytotoxic In excess amounts and lead is apotential hazard to people should it reach public watersupplies, but is generally fixed in soils and not readilytaken up by plants.

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Sources of Heavy MetalsoThe sources for these elements come from industrial

and municipal origins. Page (1974) describes the indus-trial sources of these elements. These elements and theirassociated compounds are used in agricultural metal alloys,electrical, chemical, pharmaceutical and planting industries.

Garrigaa (1976) lists the sources of Cu, Or, Ni, Zn,Cd. The general urban environment, through street andturbanrunoff, contributes most of these elements except nickel.•

>.Hazards From Sewape Sludge

' Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in sludge donot normally present environmental hazards. (Lagerwerff et al1976). However, due to the concentration of heavy metalsin sewage sludge, plant toxlcity in agricultural soils orspoil substrates can exist. Potential toxicitiea depend on:

1) the concentration and availabilityof heavy Metals

2) Method of Sludge Incorporation3) Soil Moisture4) Cation Exchange Capacity5) PH6) Soil Temperature

0I

14 A R O O O I I O

' 7) Crop Tolerance-mechanisms of, exclusionand tolerance

8) Organic Matter9) Competing IonsBaker (1974) points out that the use of CEC to guide

the loading capacity of soils for Cu could lead to Cu tox-icities. CEC is undoubtedly an important parameter in theretention of Cu but it is not the only factor limiting theCu availability to plants, Figure II-l describes the inter-actions and soil-plant equilibria for the retention of copper.

Figure II-l »Soil

-xHumus-Cu *""-S. Solution-Cu/

' Mineral-Cu Plant Root-Cu* * Clay-Cu £ j Chelated-Cu "•

Baker concludes that the availability of Cu to plantsdepends on the pH, amount and kind of clay, amount and kindof OK and form of the element. Much of the complexing ofCu*2 with OK and clay is not plant available and is actuallyfixed copper,

In natural soils, lead, nickel and zinc have very highaffinities for soil organic matter. (Page, 1974). Organicoonplexation is not the only process which determines thesoil solubility of these elements Greater than 50f of thehe»vy metal concentrations in sludge occurs in an inorganic

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^ A R O O O I I I

' form. (Garrigan, 1976), Depending upon the pH and otherl"*) aoil conditions these inorganic forms can be stable and'

;. ""immobile in natural soils and amended soil conditions.Lead, nickel and zinc if not complexed with organic matterprobably exist as divalent cations (Page, 1974). Garrigan(1976) states that Pb+2 is more inactivated as the pH rises.Nickel like zinc,, chelates strongly with organic matter butits main characteristic Is to be held as an ion on negativesurfaces. Nickel and zinc ions are held more strongly tonegatively charged surfaces as the pH rises. (Garrigan, 1976)

•'

Heavy Metal Tolerance In Plants ;

/ • Heavy, metal tolerance in plants is an important and<Q complex subject. An understanding of the up take of heavy

setals by plants is necessary in order to develop reclama-tion and agricultural practices which minimize the movementof toxic and nuisance elements from the soil to plant, animal,and man. Antonovics (1971) investigated the mechanisms ofmetal uptake and the location for plant accumulation.Zn

Moat of the zinc taken up from the roota is found inthe roota and leavea. Leas zinc la found in the stems andinflorescences. Plant concentrations found in the accumu-lator parts change with the growing season. Antonovics con-cludes that plants have an internal tolerance mechanism to

o zinc-' 1C

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' CuO Copper concentrations in plant roots are much higher

than in stems and leave?,, The mechanism for Cu uptake isone of active exclusion. The plant exerts energy to re-strict the uptake of Cu. This mechanism exists until aconcentration is reached where the mechanism breaks downand uptake of Cu increases. (Antonovics, 1971).Pb

Lead uptake has been observed to have higher concen-trations In the roots than in the leaf. Some lead Istranslocated to the shoot although no physiological func-tion has been shown. The translocated amounts are small *in comparison to the amounts absorbed by the root. (Aryik ad

Q Zimdahl, 1974) Table II-4 illustrates the uptake of theshoots va. roots. (Data from Jarvis et al 1977) Jarviset al (1977) found that probably an exchange absorptionphenomena is responsible for the initial uptake. The datalisted in table II-4 demonstrated that the largest concentra-tions of Pb are found in the root. Pb in the stem is trans-located from the root.and there is no conclusive evidencethat lead is taken into the plant via foliar absorbtion( Arvlk and Zlmdahl, 1974). This corresponds with otherfindings by Arvik and Zimdahl, (1974), that shows a non-metabolic tolerance uptake mechanism la responsible.

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Ni

O Nickel, toxicities and low Ca/Ma ratios are encounterednaturally in serpentine soils. The soils investigated byHunter and Verganano(1958 are very high in acetic solubleNi and exchangeable Ni which range from 49-40?ug/g and22-61 ug/g respectively. Normal soils have acid solubleNi of 2ppm with exchangeable Ni of 0,2ppra. The data pre-sented in Table- II-5 demonstrates the changes in totalNickel analyzed from leaves and the dependency of uptake onpH. Treatment levels of N, P,K, and lime designated by 0,

•

M, and H and pH values of 4,8, 5.3 and 6.0 respectively, „•

CdThe lowest cadmium concentrations in plant tissue are

found in the tuber, aeed and fruit tissue and are the high-est in the leafy tissue. Cereals and legumes accumulateless than leafy plants. Table II-6 illustrates the expectedconcentration in plants grown on soil. Cadmium uptake inperennial rye grass, cocksfoot and meadow fiscue range from117 to 165 ug cadmium per gram. (Jarvia et al 1976). Theshort term uptake of Cd was depressed by Cu*2, Zn*2 andMn*2, The Ca*2 ion has a similar radius to that of Cd*2and la considered to be essential for the correct function-ing of the selective transport mechanisms in the cell mem-brane. (Ibid), The mechanism for the blocking of Cd*2 intothe root may be a competition for exchange sltea at the root

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TABLE H-5

NICKEL CONTENT OF PLANTSf-\ n> 5.JK"rt'ry"iat£er--Crop Sampling stage Part analysed 0» M» H*

Oat Mature Fully expanded leaves 42 43 33Straw 26 24 16Grain . 47 54 50

Barley Mature Straw 442Grain 7 8 6

Wheat Mature Fully expanded leaves 435Straw ' 3 3 4Grain 17 14 H

Rye-grass Seeding Fully expanded leaves 48 43 40Complete plants (exceptroots) 39 34 32

Clover Flowering Leaves 58 48 35Flowers (and peduncles) 39 34 32

Turnip, yellow Bulbs beginning to . • ?expand Fully expanded leaf laminte 99 74 71Mature Fully expanded leaf laminae - 57 34

Bulbs • 23 26Turnip, swede Bulbs beginning to expand Fully expended leaf laminae 73 77 44

Mature Fully expanded leaf laminae - 39 27Bulbs - 20 18

Potato Flowering Fully expanded leaf laminae 35 33 33Mature Tubers 7 7 7

Beet Bulbs beginning to expand Fully expanded leaf laminae - 75 43Cabbage Mature Fully expanded leaf laminae - 32 28

Fully expanded leaf midribs - 15 14Kale Mature Fully expanded leaf laminae - 46 33Bean Mature Fully expanded leaf laminae 90 78 50

Seeds 59 58 51

•0-nil treatment; H-noderate level of N,P,K and line supplied; H-high level of N,P.,.end line supplied.The yield Iron some nil treatments was insufficient for analysis.

Adapted fromHunter and Varganano (1952)

A R O O O I I 5

'' surface. Ions like Mn*2 and Zn*2 may act like Ca*2 dt-Q pressing the uptake of Cd42 by competing for the exchange

Bites at the root-soil interface. These mechanisms restricttransport of Cd into the root and thus to the above-ground vegetative tissues and may play a significant roleinreducing the movement of Cd through plants and thusanimals.

Root systems have been demonstrated to have the abilityto exchange cations at the root-soil interface. The corre-lation between increases in cation uptake and the growth of

•root and root fcalra has been proven for some cations.

V

Legumes generally possess a high CEC with values rangingf- from 25-30 meq/kg fresh weight for electrodialysed roota.'-} (Maaa, 1969) and up to 75 meq/lOOg dry weight by tltration

of ground dried material (Mattson et al, 1949). Grasseshave lower values being leas than 13 meq/kg fresh weightfor electrodialyzed roota and 25 to 30 meq/lOOg dry weightby titration of ground material. (Volz and.Jacobson, 1977).Alow CEC permits the entry of monovalent ions excludingdivalent ions thus a tolerance to heavy metals by rootexclusion la-achieved. (Antonovics, 1971). Graaaea are adesirable choice when trying to limit the uptake of heavyaetals.

1\

AROOOII6

Pood Chain and Management Aspects

—' Copper,. Nickel and Zinc are heavy metals that causephytotoxic effects in plants. Cadmium, Chromium, Manganese,Mercury and lead are elements which are less toxic to plantsbut do preaent hazards to animal health. Of theae elementsthis work was most concerned with Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pbbecause of the relative amounts contained in sludge, andtheir potential for causing plant toxiclty, and their po-tential as a hazard to ground and surface waters.

Most of the research effort has been directed toward •this element. Cd poses a hazard as it can be readily trans-

• ferred from the soil, to plants and finally to animals ori}humans. Cd accumulates in the kidneys, liver, pancreas andthyroid of animals and has been associated with hypertension,emphysema, chronic bronchitis and even death. (Sidle andSopper, 1976),

Background levels of Cd in human diets is O.OJppm to0.40ppm and the average daily intake is reported to be 40to 150 tag per day. (Garxigan, 1976). Intake 'level ofhumans affected by the itai-itai disease in Japan may havebeen from 600 - 1000 mg per day Cd. Garrigan (1976) specu-lates that since food bound Cd is likely to be lessdigeatable, equal amounts of inorganic Cd inhaled as dust

^

AROOOII?

or in water may be more hazardous.0

CopperAlthough copper has been shown to be very tightly

bound to the soil, it still may be reactive enough to betoxic to plants. The main input of Cu into human diets isthrough the plant tissues. Humans are not as susceptibleto Cu toxicity and ill effects may be corrected by .in-creasing Zn or Fe in the diet. It is expected that phyto-toxicity in plants will occur before a hazard to humanhealth exists.

SLead

• Pb hazards occur minimally from the ingestion of planttissues, Pb in the atmosphere probably presents an equalif not greater hazard. Pb in soils and amended substratescan easily be controlled by Increasing the pH to the neutralor alkaline range and/or by phosphate addition. However,some plants are accumulator species and hazards can exist.

NickelPhytotxioity appears to be an effective barrier againat

Ni toxicity in humans. Ni has analogies to the behavior ofZn and Cu in the soil and is not readily plant available.

Page (1974) reports normal concentrations of Ni in plants to

23

AROOOII8

be Ippm. (See Table II-6) Monitoring of natural Ni.J contaminatedLsoils and sludge amended substrates la ad-

visable because of the uptake of NI found on serpentinesoils.

ZincZn is an important nutritional element for both plants

and animals. Sludge spreading,to correct for Zn deficien-cies has been proposed but not recommended. Zn is moretoxic to plants than animals and most of the dietary Zncomes from plants.

There have been a few management principles set up forthe loading capacity of heavy metals on sludge amended lands.

Lr Chaiiey (1973), introduced the Zinc Equivalence.Zn equivalence » ( (ppm Zn) 4- 2 (ppm Cu) + 8 (ppm NI) ).

Chaney recommends that the Zn equivalence should not exceed1Q& of the CEC of the unattended soil. He also set limitsfor sludge application. Sludges containing ( 2,000 ppm Zn),( 800 ppm Cu), ( lOOppm Ni) ( 100 ppm B) and 15 ppm Hgshould not be applied to agricultural lands to grow crops.the range of nutrients commonly found in animal manure isgiven by Brady (1974) and is in the part per billion ortrillion range. Cd/Zn ratios are also used to prevent po-tential Cd toxicltiea. Cd in sludge should not exceed l£of Zn. For agricultural soils Cd should not exceed 0,5£of the Zinc content. Because of the synergistic effects of

O

Z>f A R O O O I I 9

many of these elements, management plans tend to focus onO one synergistic relationship perhaps neglecting physical

and environmental factors which may create tpxicities fromother elements. (Baker, 1974),,

Natural Concentrations of Metals Found in Soils and PlantsPlant uptake mechanisms and Food Chain aspects of heavy

metals has been discusaed. A very important facet of thisdiscussion are the ranges of metal concentrations in soilsand In plants. Table II-6 lists these ranges and generalranges for metal phytotoxicties. The data from-Page (1974)lists those elements which cauae phytotoxic effects. As thStable shows not all metals are phytotoxic to plants. This

*• data will be used in the results and discussion sections toi~~\view the experimental results in the proper perspective.

Use of Sewage Sludge in Other Reclamation ProjectsThe use of digested sewage sludge in coal strip mine

reclamation is wide spread but not well documented inscientific journals.

Sewage sludge affects the physical properties of amend-ed coal spoil ntuch like the changes that occur under amendedaaoil conditions. Sewage sludge incorporated with coalspoil tends to 1) decrease tto particle size of the amendedspoil, 2) raise the pH of the soil solution within the root-ing zone, 3) provide organic matter, 4) increase the cation

"-, exchange capacity and 5) supply aoiiio nutrients.

AROOOI20

TABLE II-4

,. LEAD CONTENT OP RYEGRASS SHOOTS AND

o

DaysAfteraddinglead

2463 <10121416182022

SiJJ'isdf)

Daysafteraddinglead

2•46810

*M2022

5HJ (ssdf)

ROOKDry weight and lead content of shoots of ryegrass grown in flowing solutionculture with 0.1 pptnadded lead and in daylight or artificial light, Values

are means for plants from two replicate culture vessels

Dry weight g

Daylight Artificiallight

3.95 3.294.23 4.233.76 5.153.69 5.624.86 7.985.26 7.635.68 7.956.J1 8.196.07 12.046.91 13.398.31 14.49

1.2.2

Dry weight and lead contentculture with 0.1 ppm added

Values are means for

Dry weight g


1.92 1.491.86 1.891.72 2.171.61 1.971.81 2.591.72 2.412.14 2.492.10 2.311.77 3.382.00 3.332.AO * 3.72

0.399

Lead contentppn


16.6 15.729.5 60.447.2 85.559.1 105.858.3 U5.7

102.3 135.890.9 140.1

113.2 162.8115.3 172.2114.1 172.9136.3 215,3

8,45

TABLE 2

no— o


64.9 51.7124.7 255.7171.7 441.7218.3 593.9296.5 924.3542.6 1036.2516.9 1129.7 ;760.9 1337.9669.7 2091.9788.9 2312.3U34.3 3121.9

210.14

of roots1 of ryegrass grown in flowing solutionUad and in daylight or artificial light.plants froo two replicate culture vessels

Lead content•


563.7 656.1657.3 721.9674.7 819.3759.7 910.7747.1 1010.5618.6 970.7721.6 985.?654.4 1021.!!)735.4 1200.9721.4 1097.6912.5 907.8

57.84 flRQ(


1086.7 980.11226.1 1364.91166.9 1790.11228.5 1798.31537.7 2626.31073.7 2339.11537.3 24U.61383.1 2358.61298.8 3972.31446.1 3649.02196.1 3351.6

1QI ?! 410.08

r TABLE II-6

0Total concentrations of trace elements typicallyfound in soils and plants-'

'0

Cone, in Soils (Mg/g)Element

AsBCdOrCoCuPbHnHoNiSeVZn

Common

610

0.06100820108502

. 400.510050

Range

0.1 -402 -100

0.01 -75 -30001 -402 -1002 -200

100 -40000.2 - 510 -1000

•0.1 -2.020 -50010 -300

Cone, inNormal

0.1 -530 -750.2 -0,80.2 -1.00.05-0.5

4-150.1 -1015 -1001 -1001

0.02-2.00.1 -1015 -200

Plants (MK/K)Toxic 7

••

>75-.** *•

>20*-

'•

>5050-100>10>200

I/From Allaway (1968).2/ Toxicities listed do not apply to certain accumulator

plant species,

Prom: Page(1974)

O

AROOOI22

f-x One of the greatest problems in surface mine reclama-tion is the "physical particle size of the spoil substrate.Spoils associated with four major coal seams in Penn-sylvania contained from 54# to 66£ soil size particles(Beyer 4 Hutnlcfc, 1969). Soil size particles are lessthan 2mo in diameter.

Sewage sludge has been sucessful in the reclamationof a surface mine in southern Illinois. The Greater ChicagoSanitary District In cooperation with the U.S. ForrestService has a project to reclaim a mine aite in* the ShawneeNational Forrest. Data presented at the Syposium on the «Reclamation of Severely Disturbed Lands, August 1976,Wooster, Ohio, demonstrated good yields and a high cover

( jcan be established on sludge amended spoil.

Lejcher and Kunkle (1974) found a 90jt cover with amixture of grasses on a 304 ""' amended spoil plot afterone growing season, They noted a cyclic trend in runoffmetal concentrations that seemed to be associated withseasonal rainfall patterns, plant uptake and evapotrans-piration. They concluded that sludge treatment of acidspoils should be high enough to neutralize the spoil tominimize pollution. Thes found from column leaching ex-periments that mixing of spoil and sludge greatly decreasedthe amount of metals leached. (Lejcher and Kunkle, 1974).

O

21 AROOOI23

' The leachate quality from column experiments with an acidic' nine spoil (pH 2.5) was upgraded upon the addition of liquid

sludge. Petersoh and Gschwlnd (1972) found the pH of theLeachate under amended conditions increased from 2.5 to 4.5and higher. At these higher pH values enable the spoil tobe vegetated with acid tolerant plant species. (Limstrom,I960). Prior to treatment with sludge, the pH is too lowto sustain plant growth. Peterson and Gschwind (1972) notedan unavailability of Al and Fe at the higher pH values ofthe amended spoil when compared to the control..

>• .Pathogenic Hazards

Sewage sludge does contain bacteria and viruses. There0 are four ways for the recycling to come back to man: 1)

direct contact in the amended field, 2) transmission in afood crop, 3) infiltration to ground water and. 4) runoffto surface water. The management policy in the past hasbeen If pathogens are detected, a potential 'health hazardmust be assumed. The draw back with this philosophy is thatno data exists on the transmission-exposure response tohumans. Quantities of pollutants and potentially dangerousmicroorganisms can be detected but we do not know if theypresent in concentrations that are hazardous to health.Table II-7 Hats the pathogenic microorganisms in soil andplant tissues. The survival tine for these various micro-

P

Z*AROOOI21*

TABLE II-7f SURVIVAL TIMES OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS IN VARIOUS MEDIA

TTPE OP APPLICATIONPANISHAscarisova « «£**

* fruits AC»

Cholera vibrios spinach, lettuce ACcucumbers *° .non-acid vegetables AC 2 daysonions, garlic, oranges,leaons, lentils, gropesrice* dates infected feces hours-3 days

Endamoeba . A0 8-40 dayshistolytica cysts river water £ m 8 days""v ft 18-42 hoursssasr s • M*«

Hookwom, larvae -U infected feces 6 week.. — 5*0 QCffS

Leptospira river water «; 15-43 days

Q I C 6 8 daysimonella typhi dates * 3 daysharvested fruits , ~j 2/,_/i8 hoursapples, pears, grapes AC l fstrawberries *o ^ days'soil ~ 70 dayssoil J° it least 5 dajSOU iwpea plant stems AC . 14 daysradish plant stems AC 4 dayssoil AC up to 20 dayslettuce & endive AC 1-3 dayssoil AC 2-110 dayssoil AC several month;

, lettuce infected feces 18 daysradishes infected feces 53 dayssoil infected feces 74 daysson • AC $-19 daysson AC 70-70 dayscress, lettuce & radishes AC • 3 wtekslake water AC 3-5 days

•AC • Artificial Contamination (cont'd)O

w AROOOI25

TABLE II-7 (Cont'd) " ,

rHEDIUa TYPE OP APPLICATION , SURVIVAL TOE '

Salmonella,other than typhi aoil AC 15-70 days

vegetables AC 2-7 weekstomatoes AC leas' than 7 datoil • sprinkled with

, domestic sewage 40 days 'ipotatoes " 40 days 'carrots " • 10 dayscabbage & gooseberries " 5 days

Shigella steams not states 30 nln -4 days Iharvested fruits AC •inutes-J.days !aarket tomatoes AC at least 2 day;Barket apples AC " " 6 daystcomtoes AC 2-7 days

•

Tubercle bacilli son AC 6 monthsgrass AC ' 14-4? dayssewage ? 3 nonthaadl 7 6 months

O

From: Municipal Sewage Treatmenta comparison of Alternatives

AROOOI26

f-N organisms .ranges from minutes to years. Philadelphiasewage sludge Is digested for a period of 2-30 daya at 90degrees ?. Philorganic is then spread on land whichfurther kills pathogenic bacteria. Fecal coliform count onPhilorganic is 150 organisms per gram sludge.

Coats of Sewage Sludge DisposalThe cost pn a dry ton basis is given for various types

of sludge disposal in Figure II-2. It is clear that landtreatment of waate is a cheaper alternative. Ocean dumpingcosta are dramatically less than any of these alteratives. >It costs J10.00 per dry ton based on the year 1973,

Figure II-2

O

MTIM MOMif U

ill »m OIIMTIM

KMTCMIII tillIKillNCIUTIBII •

MtllTIOH ••»PCHUHUT U»MM

MNITM* U» MCUMTMN• fMH'lMM

KNITIM *•• DtCUMTIM•» traw Min10 110 »ZO MO MO (80 MO

«" '"

,(_) Fromi Huncipal Sewaga Treatment-a comparison of alternatives

^ AROOOI27

,rC\ Adaptability of Plant Materials~~ t-

Plant materials for this research project, werechosen based on their adaptability to the physical andchemical conditions of the spoil, The investigation effortcentered on introducing species because of after a severedisturbance, like the Incorporation of sludge, it Is man-datory to get a plant cover on the slopes as quickly aspossible to prevent surface erosion.

With these objectives and requirements for plant growth•

in mind, species chosen had to be alkali, heat and some wha$•>

drought tolerant, vigorous germinators and root system de-velopers, cool season and had to be available from coramer-

0 ciai sources. Grass-legume seed mixtures have been used bysoil conservationists and wildlife management scientists todevelop vegetative cover to promote wildlife food and habitatand reducing erosion. This is also the goal of this project.The following pages describe the plant and phonological

1 characteristics of the plant materials used,

AROOOI28

'" The Wheat grasses (Ajjrosyron species).' '

The wheat grasses are hardy, cool season, droughtresistant grasses. They have great value in the NorthernGreat Plains, the intemountaln region and higher altitudesof the Rocky Mountains as range and erosion control species.Some grow in bunches while others form sod and.';hey arefurther divided into propigatlon by rhizosooe and aeed.

Their high yields, nutritional value, and adaptabilityto depleted range lands makes them extremely useful aa aforage for cattle and sheep. They also provide'an excellentwildlife habitat for small animals and birds. A complete *phonological, use and management decription of the wheat

f~ grasses is found in Agriculture Handbook No. 339 USDA-SCS(1968).

Tall Wheat grass (A. elongatum) v"Tall wheat grass is a tall, vigorous, stommy bunch

grass with course long blue green leaves and 'large seeds. Itis very tolerant of saline and alkali conditions. It iscommonly found on bay and pasture lands in the northernQreat Plains'and intermountain region of elevations from 300to 7,500 feet mean sea level. High yields and good palata-bility make TNG an excellent choice for liveatock forage.Tal wheat grass ia usually seeded alone. Plantings can bemade in early spring and from August 15 - September 15. It

Q is important for wildlife plantings. Alkar tall wheat grasa

33 AROOOI29

^ (variety used in this project and most commonly used else-i"~' ». 'where) has a~tremendoua root ayatem and produces a high

tonage of root residue. Tall wheat grass is not a nativegrass. It came from Turkey and the USSR,

Streambank wheat grass (A. rlparium)

Streambank wheat grass is a native sod grass that isdrought resistant and somewhat alkali tolerant. Distributednaturally in Montana to Washington, South to Nevada, Utahand Colorado, it Is not a palatable high yield range grass.

v

It is used for erosion control and general purpose turf grass.It is commonly used in arid areas for lawns, landing strips

A and 'for gulley and wash bark stabilization.

Western wheat grass (A. amlthli)

Western wheat grass is a sod forming rhizosome spread-ing grass that is native from Wisconsin to central Washingtonsouth to New Mexico and Texas panhandle. It develops slowlyfrom seed, is drought resistant and moderately alkalinetolerant. Western Wheatgrass is tolerant of the droughtyoonditons of temperate climates.

Tall Fescue (Festuca arundlnaeea Schreb)

The variety that is most commonly used la Kentucky 31,

P

** AROOOI30

ff~\t The source ia William Suiter's farm in Menlfee County, . '

Kentucky, It ia adapted in the humid Northeast, the northernGreat Plains and western U.S. It is a major cool seasonbunch grass alkaline tolerant to pH 8.0-8.5, it ia quite •heat tolerant but not drought tolerant and grows on a widerange of soil conditions. It is used as a hay, pasture,athletic field grass and for erosion control and surfacecoal mine reclamation. It is useful in conservation workbecause of its tough roota and good ground cover. The bestplanting time is in early spring as soon as soil conditionspermit or from August 15 - September 15.

... legumes^ Legumes are important plant materials because of their

ability to fix nitrogen from the air enhancing nitrogendeficient spoil. Some of the species used are common on aridalkaline soils of the Plains and northwest. (C.iser Milkvetch),others are used across the country. (Sweet clovers) and thevetches and crownvetch is used most frequently in the east.

Ciser Milkvetch (Astragalus £icer)

Ciaer Milkvetch is a long lived perennial sod forminglegume common to interior and range land agricultural regionsof the Great Plains and inter mountain regions. It iaespecially adapted to soils derived from limestone and moder-

p ately alkaline allavial soils with a high water table. It ispalatable to livestock and wildlife. It is a slow grower and

A R O O O I 3 I

0 blooms late in the spring.Sweetclover Trlfcllum repens - white sweetclover,

T, agrarlum - yellow sweetclover,

The sweetclovers are important legumes used for soilconservation. They are used in agricultural practices aagreen manures, There are both annual and biannual varietiesand the annual variety was used in this project.

Crown vetch (Coronllla varla L,)

Crown Vetch ia used primarily for erosion" control and>

on strip mine reclamation. It is useful as a ground cover 'for low maintenance areas. It is perennial, has coarse

A stems, reaches a height of two - three feet. It is deeprooted winter-hardy and drought tolerant. Crown vetch isclimatically adapted through the entire Northeast and alsofound in midwest, It ia commonly seeded with a fast germ-inating grass for cover. The conservation plant sheet inthe appendix provides additional information,

Flatpea (lathyrua sylvestria L.)

Flatpea is adapted in many parts of the U.S. and iacommonly used In erosion control and forage on low main-tenance barren (critical) areas. It is very palatable tograzing livestock. It ia adapted to a wide variety of soilconditions from moderately acid to moderately alkaline pH.

V

AROOOI32

'" Planting in April and May are beat for use in the Northeast.See the conservation sheet in appendix for additional in-

formation.

)

57 A onnnion

Methods

Mlneralogieal Analysis of Spoil Waste

Determination of .the mineralogies! composition of thetop 15.2 cm (6 inches1 of spoil material was done by X-Raydiffraction analysis . Each sample was acanned from 10° to50° and peaks were related to the appropriate minerals.Fifteen samples collected at various locations and depthswithin a profile were examined. Table 111-1 lists thelocation and Plate II shows their location on the site.Physical Properties

Teat for pore apace, field capacity and percent moisture •of spoil material

The water retention capabilities of spoil samples fromboth piles were tested and compared. Samples were takenfrom 1) the old pile » the white spoil from the lower twothirds of the pile and the gray spoil from the upper one

third of the old pile and 2) the new pile — the millboardand monolithic press slurry waste; and two samples wereselected from an area, that ia very white and void of cinders

and an area that ia dark because of the presence of cinders.The material was dried to constant weight at 100°c

(212°F). The ipoil was moistened to saturation. The volume

of water was recorded. This gave pore space. The free waterwas drained from sample through filter paper to obtain fieldcapacity.

AROQOI3t»

.,.,,,^'..4:/^v-s57.;--fl:... :'"•' ' "

PLATE II

U . \ ,',."'' • , \ ' '"-r. :| l".V' : 1h v% t }/:s&&.^ lJ--">iffi!®a, V ,: — \j sf•.."•''Zss L1 •!

LOCATION ofSAMPLES

COLLECTED forX-RAY DIFIjRAOTIO

ANALYSIS

,.n\f».' f/X .' •V '?r'

' •'')' *&'-* t ' **•'-——R, ..-=;,...-f' •.'*.'-«*.»./>••», 4'. • ,

' '.

SOURCE

Airlil P h o i a g r t p h

NORTH

167 It

RROOOI35,

!tt»P

«t

PLATE II

LOCATION ofSAMPLES

COLLECTED forX-RAY DIFIJRACTIO

ANALYSIS

SOURCE

Aarlil PhotographMirch,!975

NORTH

16711

HR000136

/oTable III-l Location of X-ray diffraction samples,

Sample . Location1 Surface cruac of upper pile, Northeast aide of

Old pile, 34° slope.2 Same location as 1 1" - 2" deep3 Same location as 1 6" deep4 Top of old pile, Northeast corner 1-4" deep5 ' Side of old pile, Wissahickon Creek aide 61' deep,35.6 Side of old pile, Wissahickon Cr. aide, 0-1",deep,

10 feet, down slope • •7 Southeast corner of. old pile Vegetation cleared

1-4" upper pile8 Same aa 7 6-8" depth 34° slope•

/• 9 Southeast corner of old pile lower pile middleO ' of alope 0-3" 35" slope

10 Same aa 9 4-8"11 Northern end>of solid waste pile 35" slope12 10 ft. North of #11 on lower pile13 Northwest comer of new pile 41' slope14 Middle of slope that faces the railroad tracks.

1-4"15 New pile process material.

40flROOOI37

V Teat for particle aize'-' A particle aize teat was performed on each of the S>

samples. A 200 g sample was dried in the oven at 100°Cuntil constant weight. The sample was placed in a seriesof 6 sieves with the following mesh sizes.

10 Tyler 2.0mm20 H 841AM35 " . 420**65 " 250150 " 105**200 » 74/jM

The mesh screens were placed in a rototap shakingdevice and set for 15 min. Each fraction was weighed ona Metier analytical balance.Microclimate and temperature Data collection

Microclimate data was collected for temperature and*•—' aoil moisture. Temperature and moisture data was collected

from 4 exposures of the pile corresponding to N,S,E, and Wdirections. Random measurements were also made with temper-ature. Temperature data was collected with a Leeds andNorthrup potentiometer and thermocouple wire. Standardtables converted electric potential to degrees F. Moisture

data was collected using a Bouyoucos Moisture Meter ModelBN-2B and Bouyoucoa gypsum blocks. The gypsum blocks were

left in place for a week to equilibrate before measurementswere taken for each uniform slope and more were taken whenthe slope w«a irregular.Chemical Properties

O Chemical properties were identified by ionic equibria

•oil teating procedures described by Baker (1971, 1973) at

RROOOI38

f the Pennsylvania State University. The first group of• J samples included those 15 samples analyzed for X-ray dif-

fraction and duplicate samples from the seven spoil collection•itea used throughout this project. The analyais waa per-formed for the following: CEC, Bray P, K, ca, Mg, Zn, Cu,Hn, Fe, Pb, Na, Ni, Al, and Cd. The second analyais consistedof samples taken from the pots of the greenhouse plant materials

experiment involving sewage aludge. This analysis waa performedfor the following: Bray P, CEC, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu,Zn, Cd, Na, Ni, and Pb.Vegetation Identification ¥

.Numerous natural vegetation identification and plant

material testing experiments were conducted over a two-year(~) period beginning July 1975. The natural vegetation was

identified with the help of .Leslie Sauer, Carol Franklin andDr. Peter Skaller.Greenhouse testing of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

In July of 1975 large trays of Calcium carbonate spoilmaterial collected from the northeast corner of the old pila

were seeded with Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue (K-31) grass under

fertilized and unfertilized conditions. A 10-20-20 fertilizerwaa used. Tray'a were planted in duplicate.Field Testing of Kentucky 31 Tall Peaeue and Crownvetch

In August of 1975, K-31 and Penngift Crownvetch crownsware seeded and planted on a 100 aq. ft. area in the calcium

carbonate waste on the northeast corner of the old pile.s

<H- AROOOI39

r Crowns were planted by creating holes with a pole and thenO placing the crown in the hole. The seed waa broadcast at a

rate of 33.6 kg/ha (30 Ibs/acre) and was fertilized with10-20-20 fertilizer.Field Hvdroseedlng

On October 1, 1975 a .202 hectare (one-half acre) plot.waa hydroseeded. The plot waa located on the side of theold pile that faces the playground and Locust Street. The

alope was seeded from top to bottom with K-31 grass seed,10-20-20 fertilizer, cellulose fiber, mulch and water. The

•

surface of the spoil pile waa not changed prior to hydro- „•

aeeding.Greenhouse Testing of Six Plant Species with Horse Manure

,;S ' This experiment was designed 1) to test other potentiallyalkaline and drought tolerant grasses and legumes and 2) toaee what the response of plants would be by adding horse

manure to spoil.The following list of grasses and legumes were considered:

Grasses

1 *Kentucky 31-tall fescue Festuca grundincea*Tall Hheatgrass Agropyron e.,onqatv,'mweatern Wheatgrass A.*Streambink Hheatgrasa A. ripariumCreated Wheatgrass A. erlstatumBaiin wildrye Elymus einereusBeardless wild rye Elymus triticoidas

AROOOUO

Legumes

*Hhite aweetclover Vrifollum repent;*Perennial sweetpea Lathvrua'"latlfolisCrown .Vetch Cpronilla sp.Leapedeza Leapedeza' ap.*Vellow aweetclover Trifolium agrarlumHairy vetch Vieia vlllosa

Mot all plant species were tested experimentally. Thecriteria uaed to select the most promising plants was baaedon information from reference materials and personal com-munication with agronomists, turf management apecialiata

and botanists. 'The availability of a seed from commercialseed distributors, germination vigor, yield, cost of seedand recommendations from the professionals liate'd above were

the criteria used to select the seeds for experimentation. •An asterisk proceeding the common name indicates the plant*

that were tested experimentally.

K-31 Planting

Seven samples of spoil material were uaed whichcorresponds to the seven sampling location sites (numbered1-7 on Plate HI). 89 MT/ha of horse manure was incorporated

into the top three inches. K-31 was applied to the pots at160 Kg/ha grass seed. Pots were run in triplicate with

horae manure amended spoil (treated) and unamsnded spoil(untreated) . Six garden soil pots were included and plantedwithout manure. Artificial lighting conaiated of eight

fluorescent light fixtures with each fixture containing acool white and warm white 121.9 cm (48") fluorescent bulb.

AROOOUI

JMir 'SI,ft- :' paw-1.;}:. (.,,,,,s,> ".-4 i, 'tVi'VvX I »'f.\f"'&:<~ft*'-:>* ,'/-''. i'1^ • -.-•• M.' • : ?•, v• ., r i .. •. . . .,.' if

?4 : AJSaTSa t

PLATE IN

LOCATION of

SPOIL "SAMPL

t i x t l o rd i t c r l p t l o n

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March 187S

NORTH

0 167

IROOOU2

PLATE

LOCATION of

SPOIL 'SAMPL

itt t t x t (orditcr i p t l o r t

S OURCE'A i r i il PhotographMarch 1975

NORTH

1671

Lights were on a 16 hour light, eight hour dark cycle andwere control-led by a timer. All plants were watered withdeionized water at a rate of about 1" per week. The coolwhite-warm white fluorescent light mixture provides the

correct balance of wave lengths needed for photosynthesis.Tall Hheatgrass and Streambank Wheatgrasa Planting

Tall Wheatgrass and Streambank Wheatgrass were plantedthe same way aa, described previously except for threemodifications. Tall Wheatgrass and Streambank Wheatgrasswas applied at 320 g and 192.5 Kg/ha seed, respectively. The

spoil from location seven (spoil 7) was dried for 3 hours >at 79.4°C. This was done to reduce the spoil shrinkagewhich occurred after filling up the pots as the materialnaturally contains a great deal of moisture upon collection

fron the pile. The last deviation from the original procedurewas burying the seeds under the surface of the material by afactor of 2-1/2 times the diameter. These new procedures

were followed for planting all the legumes.Perennial Sweet Pea. Yellow and White Sweet Clover Plantings'

Only three spoil samples were experimented with in thissection. Spoil fron location I (Spoil 1), spoil from

location 6 (Spoil 6) and spoil fron location 7 (spoil 7).Pot» were planted in duplicate under the following schedule:Untreated pots (U) werti controls and contained only spoil

material. Inoculated pots (I) were treated with thebacterium inoculate provided by the seed distributor. Manurepots (M) were treated with the horse manure and inoculated

AROOOm //"•'• jl

f and manure pots (IM) were treated with both bacterialinoculate and manure. The seeds were prepared before plant-ing by soaking them in deionized water and mixing them withthe inoculate. The seeds were then applied to the pots at arate of 213 Kg/ha for the sweet pea and 12.2 Kg/ha for thesweet clovers.

The tall Wheatgrass and strearabank Wheatgrass and K-31were cut after 74, 74, and 79 days respectively. Biomasswas cut to surface level, washed with deionized water, driedat 70°c in the oven for 12 hours and then weighed.. Afteryields were recorded the dry biomaaa waa placed in a paperbag and stored in the freezer. Observations of root densityand penetration into the spoil material was photographed and

~j sketched on paper. The plant tissue was sent to CornellUniversity for plant tissue'analysis for N, P,K,and other

macro and micro nutrients.Field Testing of Plant Species with Horse Manure and Straw

This experiment was designed to test those plants thatgrew well in the lab pot experiments. Horse manure and strawwere aubstituted for pure horse manure because the latter •organic amendment was not available in quantities large

• 2enough to reclaim the entire aite. Fifty-six 2.2 M' experi-

mental plots were planted in duplicate with four differentgrasses and two legumes with an application of manure andatraw (treated) at 45.54 Mt/ha (16.7 T/acre) and undernatural conditions (untreated on control) respectively. In

ARDUOUS

f~ addition to the eight treated and eight untreated plots atr\'--' location seven, eight untreated plots were sown with only

legume seed at a rate of 11.2 Kg/ha of each perennial sweet-pea (Lathyrua latifolls), lathco flatpea, (Lathyrua aylvestria)and ciser milk vetch (Astragalus cicer).

Plate III shows the location of the seven experimentalareas. These areas correspond to the seven spoil collectionstations used in both the chemical analysis of the spoil andin the laboratory growth tests.

At each sample area labeled 1-7, K-31, tall wheatjrass,western Wheatgrass, and Streambank wheatgraas were planted invduplicate plots at an application rate of 33.6 Kg/ha (30 Ibs/acre). These four grasses were planted under treated and

\~\ untreated conditions. The surface of the plot was modifiedbefore applying the seed by.creating small benches that wereperpendicular to the slope. Benches were made in the treatedplots after the manure and straw was incorporated to a depthof 15.24 cm (6 inches).Field Testing of Grasses with Sludge

Spoil material on the old pile (west facing slope) waa.amended with .Philorganic, the aewage aludge used throughout

, t

these experiments. Three areas each 6.6 m x 13.2 neters hadsludge broadcast evenly, then incorporated by hand to a depthof 15.2 cm (6 inches). The rates of sludge application were54.5 MT/ha (20 tona/acre), 108.9 MT/ha (40 tona/acre) and217.8 MT/ha (80 Tona/acre) reapectively for each area (dry

O

AROOOU5

r weight basis).O 2--• The large areas were divided into eight 3.3 M plota.

Plots were planted in duplicate with K-31 and tall wheatgraaaunder fertilized (112.0 Kg N/ha) and unfertilized conditions.K-31 and tall Wheatgrass were seeded at 168 Kg/ha for the 60ton/acre sludge plot and 224 Kg/ha for the 20 and 40 ton/acre sludge plot. After the seed and fertilizer were broad-cast, hay was spread on the surface at a rate of 5.45 mt/ha8,17 mt/ha (2-3 tons/acre) and was krimped by driving the bladeof a hoe into the sludge-amended spoil thereby stabilizing

*

the hay and preventing it from blowing away. The 54.46 mt/ha,v108.93 mt/ha and 217.87 mt/ha were planted on August 26, 1976,October 3, 1976, and October 10, 1976, respectively..

y""\ Greenhouse Testing of Grasses with Sewage SludgeThis experiment was designed to investigate the plant

availability of potential phytotoxic metala contained in the•ewage sludge and the uptake of those metals aa measured byplant tissue analyais of the above-ground biomaas - the sternaand blades of grass. Twg and K-31 were grown in three dif-ferent soil mediums amended with sewage sludge at fourdifferent application rates. The plants were grown in &

*laboratory under the same experimental conditiona describedin the lab plant materials section uaing manure. All potswere planted in duplicate. Under both amended and unamended(control) conditions, half of the pots were fertilized with20.15 kg/ha inorganic 10-20-20 (100 Ibs N/acre) fertilizer

^ (fertilized) and other pots were left unfertilized.

^ AROOOU7

.'

(Pi The grasses were planted at an application rate of168 kg/ha (150 Ibs/acre) grass seed. Pots were uniformlyamended with 136 mt/ha (242 tons/acre), 816 mt/ha (361 tons/acre) respectively of Philorganic sewage sludge. The surfacearea of the pot was .02659M2. TWG, K-31, fertilizer andaludge were placed under the fluorescent lights. The plantswere watered with deionized water at a rate of 125 ml. per

week. Grasses were planted on November 7, 1976 and cut on

February 11, 1977.After thirteen weeks the bioraass was cut, washed, and

dried in the oven at 70°c for 12 hours, and then weighed. iAfter the yields were recorded the dry biomaas waa placed

.- in a paper bag and frozen until it waa shipped to Cornell^ University for tissue testing. Only fertilized samples were

aent to Cornell University.' Replicate samples were combinedfor the tissue analysis.

Samples of the fertilized pots which had the biomasa

aent for tissue analysis were collected, dried at 100°c for3 hours, packaged and sent to Penn State University for waterextractable ionic equilibrium metals testing. The nethod for

thia teat ia reported in Baker (1970, 1973).Field Testing of Grasses with Sludge

Two large plots 20 meters x 10 meters were laid outand aludge waa broadcast at a rate of 355.18 nt/ha andincorporated to • depth of 15.24 en. One of theae plots

Q WM located on the old pile on a north northwest slope facing

Locust Streei,*while the other was on the top of the solid

AROOQUB

, . waate pile. The sludge was rototilled into the surface on

.'*-" the flat plot by a commercial 4 hp rototiller. K-31 wasbroadcast to half of the 20 m x 10 m plot. The other halfwas seeded with tall Wheatgrass. Grasses were seeded at arate of 224.03 kg/ha. Hay was spread on the surface at arate of 5.45 mt/ha - 8.17 mt/ha (2-3 tons/acre), A com-mercial eroaion control netting manufactured by Conwed Inc.,Minneaplis, Minnesota was laid and tacked into poslton. Both

K-31 and TWG plots were seeded with a total of 33.6 kg/halegume seed. The legume mixture was comprised of, 11.2 kg/halathco flat pea (Lathyrua aylveatris). 11.2 kg/ha Ciaer ,

nilkvetch, (Astragalus claer)and 11.2 kg/ha White Sweet Clover,(Trifolium repens). All of the legume and .grass seeds were

(','"•) purchased from commercial seed producers except the white

sweet clover seed which was collected on site after the 1976seed production. This seed was harvested by hand. No germin-ation test of the clover seed was made. Germination testa of

other aeeda were provided by the supplier and'are included in

the appendex.The planting procedure was the same for the plot on

the slope except that the mechanical rototilling incorporationwas done by hand by uaing a garden hoe. All sewage aludge waabroadcast and incorporated on April 2, 1977. The plantingschedule for each plot wast aa follows: 1) in the plot on the•lope, tall wheatgraas was planted on April 3, 1977, K-31 wasplanted on April 9, 1977; 2) in the plot on the solid waate

pile tall Wheatgrass waa planted on nay 6, 1977 and K-31 WM

!! si AROOOIlfS

r planted on May 6, 1977 and K-31 was planted on April 8,O 1977, _ '

Plant Tissue AnalysisPlant tissue analysis was performed by Cornell

University and the procedures are outlined in Grewling(1976). Thirty-two samples from the greenhouse plantmaterial experiment using aewage sludge were taken fromthe fertilized pota aeeded with tall Wheatgrass and K-31.The replicate fertilized pots were combined to make up the32 samples. Spoil from sample location 3 (a calciumcarbonate waite) and location 7 (the process material) plusgarden soil all amended with aludge were the growing medium.Laboratory Column Experiments

' Thia experiment waa designed to inveatigate the fateof heavy metala when leached through spoil material. Thedata serve aa an indication of where potential problems forheavy metal leaching nay be and what parameters need furtherresearching.

The purpose of this experiment ia threefold. 1) The

concentration of trace elements liberated from the amended ••poll at the .different application rates needed to be iden-tified. 2) Huraic and fulvic acids are constituents oforganic material fractions to chelate trace elements couldrepresent an important mechanism for the tranalocation ofMtal ions fron the surface of the pile. 3) In thia lastpart of the experiment, inorganic sources of metals wereleached through the spoil columns without aludge to see it

<0

52. 'AROOOI50

s- it has the nature of the spoil material to immobilize heavy

*•- metal lona. -The geochemistry of these trace elements isimportant when discussing trace element mobility in alkalineconditions. Log concentration - pH diagrams demonstrate theamphoteric nature of these metals. Minimum solubility of ionsoccurs within the range of the pH of the sample leachate.Materials and Methods

The columns were made of 3 inch (ID) plexlglas tubing.Spoil was loaded as a slurry and packed by removing the waterwith auction (4 in. of Hg). The columns were tapped with ahammer to facilitate compaction. A uniform particle aize waa >

•

obtained by this method. The spoil height was 50 cm.Threaded glass needle valves were used to control flow which

(s~\ averaged 147.75 ml/hour. The vacuum applied was 4 in. of Hg.The total volume of solution leached through the columns was1773 ml which roughly corresponded to the difference betweenprecipitation and evapotranspiration for Ambler, Pennsylvaniaor 20 inches. Columns were supplied with the-solutions by asiphon flow system. All glassware tubing and bottles werewashed with a laboratory detergent rinsed or soaked with a 2%(vol/vol) UNO., acid solution then rinsed with a concentratedHNOj solution and then rinsed 3 tinea with deionized water.I. Determination of Heavy Metal Concentrations liberated

from Sewage Sludge•i.

The columns were set up aa described by the proceedingsection. (Standard Conditions.) In this experiment .amendedspoil at 89 mt/ha (138 g), 180 me/ha (275 g) and 269 mt/ha

AROOOI5I

W (412.7 g) respectively were incorporated with spoil material.The total grama added at each application rate based on thecolumn diameter at a depth of 15 cm are in parenthesis. Theamended spoil was loaded and packed (under aqueous conditions)to a height of 15 cm. The solution leached through the columnswas deionized water. The leachate was collected, prepared andstored which will be outlined later.II. Experiment of Procedures for Determination of the Chelation

and Transport of Heavy Metala by Organic Matter

The columns were set up under the standard conditionspreviously outlined. Amended spoil at the three application

V

ratea was loaded and packed as outlined in experiment I. The *difference between experiment I and II was that a solution of

CL 10 parts per million (ppm) of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn was leachedthrough the columns instead of deionized water as before.III. Experimental Procedurea for Determination of the Ability

of the Spoil Material to Remove and Immobilize Metal Ionsfrom a Leachate Solution

The columns were aet up under the standard conditionspreviously outlined. Three solutions corresponding to 1 ppmof Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn (Metal Solution), 10 ppm MetalSolution and 100 ppm metal solution were leached through thespoil material.' It waa observed at the completion of theexperinent that the 100 ppm metal solution column had a greenishcolor at the surface when compared to the other two which hadno color change. Spoil fron the 0 - 1 cm, 1 - 2 en, and 2-3cm waa sampled, spoil was screened uaing a Tyler #150 mesh

\J screen (106 mm). One gram of this material was dissolved in

** AROOOI52

\~\

500 ml of 10# UNO.. The extract waa filtered and stored inplastic bottles for analysis. 'Preparation of Samples

To preserve the integrity of the metal containing leachatesolutions, samples were immediately poured into inert plasticbottles, acidified with a corresponding amount of concentratedHNO, (5 ml/1 solution) and stored in a refrigerator. (StandardMethods for Hater and Waste Water, 1976).Preparation of Metal standards and Metal Solutions

Standard metal solutions were prepared from the salts ofNi, Cd, Cu and Pb and from Zinc metal. Quantities of NiS04, >6H20, CdS04, CuS04, 5H20, and Pb (N03) were measured to thenearest 0.0001 g on an analytical balance. The amount of therespective salt which corresponded to 1 gram of the metal, wasdissolved in a liter of deionized water and acidified with 5 mlconcentrated HN03 acid. The 1000 ppm standard was uaed to makeall other standard metal solutions and standards.Analytical Determination of Metal Concentrations

All samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectro-photometery. A Per kin-Elmer Model 372 atomic absorption•pectrophotometer (AA) with a HGA 2200 graphite furnace waauaed. Although the samples were in aqueous aolutiona and werefree of suspended particles, thia matrix waa different enoughto give erroneoua readings when the instrument was calibratedwith standards in a deionized water matrix. Standards weremade by the analytical additiona methods using water that had

55 AROOOI53

( been leached through a column of 50 cm of only spoil material."""' Exact netal concentrations in the standards were obtained by

the additions method and checked by actual AA determination.(For a complete discussion of the additions method see "AnalyticalMethods for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometera using theHGA Graphite Furance," Perkin-Elmer Corp. March 1977.)Chemical Analysis of Philorganic

. The Philorganic sewage sludge was analyzed by the analyticallaboratories of the City of Philadelphia. The procedure isoutlined in "Methods of Chemical Analysis for water and waate-

•

water" EPA Manual 1975.

(0

AROOOI51*

O Results

Hineralogical Testing of Waste Material

The mineralogy confirms that the piles of waste material are

•ade primarily of calcium carbonate (1,'aCo.) and magnesium hydroxide

(Mg(OH)2)> There were five minerals identified by x-ray diffraction

which formed two major mineral groups: 1) Calcite-Chrysotile and

2) Calcite-Quartz. Calcite (CaCOj) was found in every sample.

Table IV-1 lists the minerals found, their molecular formula, location

and a description of the spoil and sampling site. Two kinds of as-

bestos fiber were found—chrysotile and anthophylite. The abundance

of calcite in association with brucite tMg(OH),] results.in very high*

pH values. The ranges of pH values of the spoil material were from(X . 9.3 to 10.1 (See Table III-S). These ranges are higher than those

associated with optimal plant growth in natural soils.

Physical Properties

Observations on the spoil substrate were made during all seasons

of the year. Observations during early winter and late spring suggest

that surface erosion is only a problem during periods of freeze-thawand heavy'rains. The sequence appears to be as follows: Cold temper-

atures freeze the surface of the spoil to a depth of several centi-meters. The few centimeters on the surface of the pile are then

thawed by warmer temperatures and a.two-layered profile is created.When a heavy rain occurs, it washes the unfrozen material down the

AROOOI55

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AROOOI57

r(j slope. The Intensity and duration of the rainfall determine the sever-

ity of erosion. A hard vain falling in a short or long period of timewill wash the material away quickly creating rill and gully erosion

patterns. A gentle rain of a short duration ma}' not create any sur-

face erosion. A gentle rain of a long duration may produce erosion

patterns similar to volcanic lava flows, Both types of erosion have

been observed. After a rainfall in the Spring of 1977, rill and gully

erosion was extensive and the rain washed spoil into the streets,

playground and creek. No erosion was observed from the sewage sludge

plots planted the proceeding fall from this rain. The vegetative

cover on the plots varied and exposed areas of amended-soil were •

common. During frost-free periods almost all the rain is absorbed

FL . by the pile. Unless a high intensity short duration storm occurs,

the slopes of the pile remain stable during these frost-free periods.

Particle size and water retention data was collected to determine

differences in these properties between spoil substrate. Samples were

collected from sites that had no vegetation and similar areas that

had vegetation. Sample fl was collected from the gray fiberous mater-

ial that is found near the top of the old pile without a vegetative

cover. Staple 12 was from the same uterial similar slope exposure

and positioning but had white sweet clover and goldenrod covering the

spoil.Table IV-2 Sample Identification

Sople1 gray fiberous material old pile No vegetation2 gray fiberous material old pile Vegetation

O(oO

AROOOI58

6

U

Table IV-2 (cont'd.)_ /

Sample3 Dark cinder waste new pile No vegetation4 Dark cinder waste new pile VegetationS Unite Calcium Carbon- .

ate Waste new pile No vegetation6 Process Material new pile No vegetation7 Nhite Calcium Carbon-

ate Waste old pile No vegetation

Table IV-3 reports the particle sizes and water retention

properties of these seven spoils. Results indicate that there is

a difference in water retention capabilities between the gray fiber-*

ous waste of both the old pile and new pile when compared with the

calcium carbonate wastes of each pile. There appears to be no differ-

ence between similar spoil substrates that were vegetated or unveg-

etated.

Particle size data suggests that the spoil is fairly uniform in

its particle size distribution although no striking differences exist

between vegetated and non-vegetated sites. Generally speaking, calcium

carbonate white spoil from the old pile has similar particle size and

moisture retention capacities when compared with the same from the

new pile. Likewise, the gray fiberous waste is similar to the prpcess-

ed material in physical properties.Temperature and soil moisture microclimate parameters were measur-

ed. Table IV-4 lists the data obtained, Soil temperature data if

very qualitative in nature and represents the temperatures measured ona hot day in late August. Surface temperatures above and beneath a

AROOOI59

r'Q Table IV-3 Particle Size and Water Retention Capabilities

of Various Spoil Substrates

Particle Size>2.0 ma2,0 -.841 mm

841 - 420 mm

420 - 250 mm

250 - 105 mm

IDS - 74 mm

<74 mm

Sample1 ' 2 3 4 S 6 7

30.97

19.77

16.46

13.60

10.23

2.59

6.44

22.45

21.64

20.68

16,82

10.16

2.64

6.3

43.24

10,60

11.13

11.39

8.47

3.89

11.29

34.02

14.54

15.76

. 13.04

8.97

4.2T

9.65

44.17

19.31

14.12

10.10

5.54

2.06

4.71

21.23

21.32

17.81

15.00

10.38

3.23

11.36

45.6

11,8

9.8

9.9

8.0

3.3

6.5

Values represent the percentage of the total which ;is that respective particle size.

Water Retention at Field Capacity

Sample * Dry Weight Wet Weight \ Moisture

1 33,9 91.7 63,03

2 35,8 124.3 . 71.19

3 78.1 114.5 31.79*

4 73.2 ' 123,5 40,75

S . 60,1 103.8 42.1

6 20.9 80,6 74.07

7 48.5 96,46 49.72

13AROOOI60

O

/

Table IV-4 Temperature and Soil Moisture Data

Temperature of spoil profile at the surface, at 8.5 cm and at IS cm.Valufls in degrees'Centigrade.

Date: August 26, 1976

E x p o s u r e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N N S S B B H K

Depth of Probe (cm) 8.5 15 8.5 15 8.5 15 8.5 15

20 15.5 30.5 31.1 15.4 13.8 23.8 26.1

Air Temperature inSun 36.6 _- 37.7 38.3

Surface Temp, just *Under the Surface 25.4_____-____27.2 31.1

Temperature of black cobble rock lying exposed on the surfaceof a Southern facing slope.

( Surface of rock • S2.2°CVQ Underneath rock • 51.6°C

Soil Moisture measured with Bouyoucos blocks. Values are in I AvailableMoisture for Plants!

Date: September 14, 1976 '

Air Temperature: 35°C, Clear Day

Exposure N N s s E E H H

Depth of Probe (cm) 8.5 IS

i . * ._ m

8.5

26

15

49

8.5

18

'15

24

8.5

27

15

54.5

AROOOI6I

\) black cobble were 88'C and 87*C respectively, The temperature

within the top centimeter of white calcium carbonate spoil varied

between 62,-66*C while the temperature in the sun varied between

72-74aC (98-101°F). The ranges of temperatures given here are the

maximum and minimum temperature measured for the different ilopet.

The temperatures for the north and east facing slopes decrease

with depth from 8.5 to 15 inches. The values recorded for the north

and east facing slopes were:

Depth North East8.5 cm 6B°F 67»F •15 cm 60"F S7*F >•

The decrease in temperature with depth is not unexpected because the

albedo of this white material is high.\Q ' Temperatures for the 8.5 and 15 cm depth increased with depth

for the southern and western exposures. These temperatures are qual-

itatively higher than those recorded from the other slopes. It is not

expected that any of those temperatures recorded will cause thermal

death to the grasses, Both tall Wheatgrass and Kentucky 31 tall fescue

have been cited in an Agriculture Handbook 1339 to be heat tolerant,

Soil moisture data was collected for the three exposures at the end of

a two week very hot and dry period. Plant available soil moistureremained within detectable limits for Southern (261), Eastern (18%),

and Western (27%) exposures at a 3 inch depth. At the six inch depthmoisture levels were higher; 49%, 24%, and 54.5% for the southern,eastern and western exposures respectively. These results do not

O

tfAROOOI62

O

suggest that problems with water stress will be encountered for thetall Wheatgrass or Kentucky 31 tall fescue since their roots developbeyond.the 3 inch soil depth.

The slope of the side of the piles of spoil is an average value

of 35°. This represents an angle approximately equal to the angle of

repose. Slope measurements are listed on Plate IV. The minimum

slope measured was 28° measured for a small segment of the side on

the new pile which faces the railroad tracks. The maximum slope was

41° measured on the northwest corner of the new pile and represents

the slope from top to bottom.V•

Chemical Data

Soil extraction with acetic acid probably does not reflect

accurately the concentrations of macroelements in the alkaline waste

material. The ionic equilibrium method developed by Baker (1970, 1973)

was used because of the different approach this method has toward soil

chemical analysis. Sewage sludge and alkaline spoil material do not

have the same properties as natural soils. The -ionic equilibrium

method may be better than, normal soil testing procedures for testing

sludges and waste materials, but even these results should be applied

with care,I

Chemical tests for plant available elements by the ionic equil-ibrium, soil method indicates that the spoil is generally low in plantavailable calcium while it is abundant in plant available magnesium.Table IV-S lists the concentrations of 12 elements found in the spoil.

AROOOI63

PLATE IV

SLOPE

Intld* dot t*clinn it Ilil «ndcor r it pondi to t hitop* o'l Ih* pll ••

SOURCES,Atrlal Photograph

March, 1«78Flild Mmurimenl

NORTH

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AROOOI61*

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PLATE IV

SLOPE

A r t * inildi d o l l t c

lint* la 11*1 «ndcor r t f pond* l o t h *top* o'l th* pH**

SOURCES,Atrlil Photogriph

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AROOOI66

('r\•— The concentrations of the microelements (Pe, Mn, 2n, Cu and Na)— /are within normal ranges expected for plant growth. However, Bakerpoints out, that with the high pH there may be microelement defic-

iencies (personal communication) . Optimum ranges for plant growthlisted in Table IV-5 are for natural soils,

The ratio of Calcium and Magnesium suggests an imbalance exists

which may have adverse effects on plant growth. The pH of the spoil

ranges from 9.3 to 10,1, These values are alkaline and are higherthan the pH values (6-8) associated with optimum plant growth.

Manganese and Iron values appear low. Other microelements needed for

plant growth remain in the optimum range as indicated at the bottom of.'

Table IV-S. •

A vegetated area from the old spoil pile has different values than

non-vi(,«tated spoil areas. This analysis from the old pile is not con-

sidered to be representative of all vegetated areas. Table IV -6 lists

the concentrations as determined in the analysis.

Samples 101 and 102 are the grey fiberous material found on the

old pile. They have similar chemical composition to sample 103 which

is the calcium carbonate waste found below the two proceeding samples

in the profile. Sample 104 is an old grey fiberous waste material.Presently, white clover, Phragmites, and golden rod are the major plantspecies that vegetate this spoil and a thick layer of organic matter isfound at the surface. It is clear to see that chemical values for allMats except pH fall within those optimum ranges for soil (Baker, person-al conunication) and are very different from those obtained for spoil.

AROOOI67

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AROOOI68

O Vegetation • Natural and Experimental Seedinga'" _ /

The natural vegetation was identified by field observation, Table

IV-7 lists the natural vegetation growing on the new and old piles,

These lists, describe the vegetation growing. on flat areas and bern spill

over. There are no forb species growing in the processed material on

the top of the new pile. The trees that are present are Indicative of

swampy conditions and are commonly called scrub flood plain species.

The forb specific list for the new pile indicates that the species

diversity is high but only four species are seen frequently, thus

species density is low. On the old pile the flat top and gray fiberous

waste pile is vegetated, The high diversity of species is found on the;

top of the old pile. The number of species present drops off on the

f flats and on the slopes of the gray fiberous material in both casest* \ • 'dominated by goldenrod (Soligado sp) and white sweet clover (Metoldis

alba) . The species density. and species diversity relationship suggests

a stressful environment, Under natural un-stressful conditions, the

species diversity (the measure of the number of species genera present)

is high while the species density is low (a measure of the total number

of individuals divided by the total genera). Under stressful conditions

the diversity decreases while the density increases. This indicates

that a few genera have increased in importance, while others are not

found. The theory is confirmed by field observations. On the old pile

thrtt species (clover, golden rod, and Phragmites) are abundant. There

are no other species that can compete with these three dominant species.

AROOOI69

y-v Table VI-7 Natural Vegetation Pound Growing on the Haste Piles,U Ambler, Pa.,, Summer 1977 '

A) Trees Pound on the Top of the Active Wastepile

Box Elder (Acer negundo)Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)Ash (Fraxinus Pennsylvania)Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

B) Lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album)Poison ivy (Rhus radicans)Yellow SweetClover (Melllotus offlcinalis)

Golden rod (Solidago sp.)Dandy lion (Taxaxacum officinale)Nightshade (Oenothera biennis)Solanum (Solanum dulcamara)Cinquefoil (Potent!1la sp.)Poor man'sPepper (Lipidium virginicum)

Chickweed (Stellaria media)Wild Lettuce (Lactuca soariola)Tick trefoil (Desmodium sp.)Garlic mustard (Alliaria officinalis)Japanese

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)Butter 8 Eggs (Linaria vulgaris)Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)Smart Need (Polygonura sp)Moth mullen (Verbascum blattaria)Common mullen (Verbascum thapsus)Lance-leafPlantain (Plantugo lancsolata)

Japanese hopvine (Hunulus japonica)Rumex dock (Rumus crispus)Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)Mild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)Hawkweed (Hieraclum sp)Burdock (Arctiun minus)Japanese Knot-weed (Polygoiium cuspidata)

Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)

O ;

AROOOI70

6

Table IV-7 (cont'd.)

C) Plants found on the old pileAsh (Fraxinus Pennsylvania)Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) ,Ailanthus (Ailanthus altiasimajStaghom Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Daisy Pleabane (Erigeron canadensis)Queen Anne's

Lace (Dancus carrota)Hawkweed (Hieracium sativa)White clover (Melitotus alba)Aster (Aster sp,)Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)Tartarian Honey-

suckle (Lonicera tartarica)Japanese

Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica)Phragmites (Phragmites communls)

O."I*

AROOOI7I

6

rO Experimental Research and Plant Materials Studies ,

Greenhouse Testing of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in laboratory ex-

periments germinated and grew in both unfertilized and fertilized con-

ditions for three weeks. The fertilized Kentucky 31 (K-31) trays

germinated better and grew taller than unfertilized trays which soon died.

Fertilized K-31 died after approximately six weeks.

Field Testing of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue and Crown Vetch

Penn gift crown vetch crowns and K-31 grass seed were plnnted under

fertilized conditions on the pile. The vetch died but tho grasses germif-

ated and established themselves in 3-8 cm diameter depressions created

after planting the vetch. The roots created a turf and incorporated in

the spoil material to a depth of 1-3 inches. The K-31 cac.e back in the

Spring of 1977. After making the surface benches with the rod, the surround-

ing material eroded and covered the grass.

Field Hydroseeding

Based on two and one-half months of growth, a one-half acre plot

was hydroseeded. The experiment was not successful. None of the seed

broadcast on the slope established itself, Seed did germinate in small•

depressions and in cinders but it did not last through the growing season.

Although the seeding rate was high, amendments in addition to fertilizers

axe required for growth and establishment of plant materials. Surface

•edifications include surface benches, terraces and depressions.

O

7<l AROOOI72

r\O Amendments include manure, fertilizers, lime, sewage sludge or topsoil.

Greenhouse Testing Six Plant Species with Horse Manure

Results from the greenhouse pot experiment amending seven spoil

samples with horse manure demonstrates that plant growth is enhanced

with the addition of manure. Table IV-8 lists the yield data for the

three grasses that were grown in this experiment, Graphs IV-1, IV-2,

IV-3 plot the yield as mean above ground biomass (dry grams) vs. each

of the seven spoil material smaples. The yield from fertilized pots was

most variable in K-31 while both Streambank Wheatgrass and tall Wheatgrass

varied much less. Graph IV-4 compares the mean yield values for fertile

ized pots for the three grasses. It is clear that tall Wheatgrass had

f£. the highest yield, Streambank wheatgeass was in the middle and Kr31 had

the lowest yield when comparing the yield data for all seven samples.

No relationship can be established between the yield and plant avail-

able elements data for each of the seven spoil types.

Table IV-9 lists the concentration of Ca, Mg, K, P, N, Fe, Cu, Mn,

Zn, Na in the plant tissue of K-31, tall Wheatgrass and Streambank wheat-

grass. There are some interesting relationships between yield and con-

centration of elements found in the plant tissues. The significance of

treated and untreated spoil is reflected in the concentration of potassium

in the tissues. Graph IV-5 displays this relationship. Regressionanalysis confirms that plant concentration of K in tissues is directlyrelated to yield. The equation of the line describing the relationship

is Y • 2.939x * .555, r • .872 which is significant at the .001 levelO

AROOOI73

GRAPH IV-2 MEAN BIOMASS of STREAMBANK VHEATGRASSVB, SPOIL TYPE

f- 'o—r

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IV-3 MAN BIOMASS OP TALL WHBATORASS vs. SPOIL TYPE

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AROQOI78

'" Table IV-8 Greenhouse Testing of Three GrassesKentucky 31-Tall Pescul

Sample Height/pot Mean weight/ Sample Height/Pot Mean WeighTrealiWSample sample type Treatment/Sample Type Sample Typ|

Type_____._____________——————-————————-——

Ul .028 Tl, 028Oj. .015 .022 Tl .765 .271Ul .023 Tl 02U2 .064 T2 .1541)2 .05 .041 T2 1.148 .761

23 -S S :SUS 157 161 T3 .882 -593

:S ' ' 5 :"s6U4 'ifll .078 T4 -076 .305U4 .086 T4 .285US .014 T5 . .153US .164 .089 TS .277 .165US .091 TS. .065 jU6 .018 T6 .227U6 !069 .245 T6 .07 .172116 027 T6 .218U7 41 T7 .797S '.Si .443 T7 -35 .44U7 .395 T7 .173Soil 1.504Soil .616Soil ,65 .940Soil .572Soil 1.426Soil .873

O41

AROOOI79

6

C Table IV-8 Greenhouse Testing of Tall WheatgrassO .

Sample ' Mean Height/ Sample Mean Weigh]Treatment/Type Weinht/Pot Spoil Type(g) Treatment/Type Weiaht/Pot Spoil Type(l

U-l .17 .29 T"l 2.7U-l .41 T-I .97 1.50

T-l .85U-2 .62 T-2 1.41U-2 • .49 .54 T-2 2.17 1.54

; U2 .50 T-2 1.04U3 .12 T-3 .69U3 .06 .11 T-3 . - 1.5 1.23US .15 T-3 1.5U4 .39 T-4 79U4 .47 . .34 T-4 1.75 1.6U4 . .16 T-4 2.22US .70 T-5 269US .39 .43 T-5 .78 1.68US .22 T-5 1.58U6 . ,46 T-6 .6U6 .92 .70 T-6 .93 1.24U6 .72 T-6 . 2.21

. U7 1.14 T-7 2.1U7 1.16 • .97 T-7 .94 1.30U7 .60 T-7 .86Soil .2.17Soil 1.93 1.87Soil 1.99Soil 1.39

O&

AROOOI80

Table IV -8 Greenhouse Testing of Streambank Wheatgrass

SampleSample Weight/Pot Mean Weight/ Treatment/ Weight/pot Mean weigh

Treatment/Spoil Type Spoil Type Spoil Type ————————Spoil Type

Ul .048 Tl .38w .02 .062 Tl .62 .53Ul .119 T1 '60U2 .103 T2 1.18U2 .052 .079 T2 89 .75U2 .083 T2 .18U3 .016 » p .82U3 .018 .021 T3 .38 ^ ,51U3 .03 T3 .34U4 .029 T4 .26U4 -062 .036 T4 .62 .56

-U4 ' -017 « .82US .114 .093 TS .30US .073 . TS .70 .72US 09 TS 1>1SU6 04 .061 T6 .45U6 .053 T6 -42 .55

U6 .198 T6> J9U7 .562 .328 T7 .72U7 .226 T7 .74 .72U7 .8 T7 .71

Soil 1.10 I'085Soil 1.0Soil l.WSoil

O

^ AROOOI8I

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AROOOI82

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AROOOI83

f of significance. The data demonstrates that tall Hheatgrass plantedO 'in unawnded-spoil will not grow because of potassium deficiency.

The regression analysis of the data displayed in Graph IV-6 in-

dicates a negative correlation exists between Mg(t) concentration in

the plant tissues and yield of tall Wheatgrass, The equation that

describes this relationship is Y • -.637X + 1.413, r - .839 which is

significant at the .001 level of significance. The relationship be-

tween yield of grass and Mg concentration in the tissue demonstrates

that amended conditions with horse manure ameliorates a magnesium

toxicity problem.

Root Growth observations provided important insight into the j

ability of these grasses to bind and incorporate the spoil material.

Tall Wheatgrass was the most successful in developing a root system

C) that totally permeated the spoil in the pot. The roots incorporated

Spoil 7 and the garden soil most completely. Figure IV-2a illustrates

the shallow root development in untreated spoil. In treated spoil

with horse manure, grass incorporated the amended spoil areas but the

roots would not penetrate the unamended spoil below.'

Field Testing of Grasses Using Horse Manure and Straw

Results from the field plot experiment using manure and straw•

indicate that this amendment is not a satisfactory one. All amended

plots were treated with 45 MT/ha (wet weight basis) of horse manureand straw. None of the grasses in the plots under amended or unuended

conditions provided a uniform ground cover or incorporated the spoil

AROOOI814,

IV-6 TISSUE CONCENTRATION of M( (*) Ya, TflELD

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GRAPH IV-7

•f. op»** f .' Tt.ll Vho»t(tr»M JO • FMtlHsoil pot^ - Unf«rtiliz«d pot

11

YIELD(dry CD*

6

<£>'

31Tall F«BCU«F«rtiliz«d potUnfertilized pot

e-e

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APPLICATION RATB KT/ta

AROOOI86

Figure IV-1 Rooting in Pots

6

Manure \vj; 'Jj \ W I Zone of ManureIncorporation \ ' / Incorporation

a) This illustrates the rooting of tall Wheatgrass. The rootspermeated the zone of horse manure incorporation and into thespoil directly (unamended .spoil). Roots were common along the 'sides of the pots.

b) Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue rooted only in the amended spoil material.

O

«8 AROOOI87

_ thereby controlling surface erosion. Germination of these grassesocvuxred but-it was sparse, Legumes, which are normally slow germinators,

showed sparse germination in the experimental plots. These results

suggest another amendment is needed.

There were three legumes tested in this greenhouse experiment.

None germinated in the spoil material without manure. Yellow Clover

' wilted and died in spoils 1 and 6. Yellow Clover grew well in Spoil

*7 and finally flowered. Perennial sweet pea grew well in manure as

did white sweet clover. Perennial sweet pea exhibited the best growth

and was chosen to continue in the outside manure and stray plantings.>

Field Testing of Grasses with Sewage Sludge "

The initial plots for this experiment were planted in late summer

**-\ and early fall. The 179 mt/ha plot was planted on 27 August 1976 and

the grasses germinated and grew. The 89 mt/ha plot, planted 20

September 1976 also germinated and grew before winter. The 44 mt/ha

plot had little germination and no observable growth before winter.

There was a qualitative difference in fertilized and unfertilized

plots at the 179 mt/ha and 89 mt/ha sludge application rates. Both the

K-31 and tall Wheatgrass fertilized plots were taller by 5-10 cm than

the corresponding unfertilized plots. There was no difference in grassheight or percent cover between the plant species,

In the spring of 1977, no damage was observed due to frost leaving.All three plots grew and by early April all had new stems and the fertil-

ized tall Wheatgrass 179 mt/ha and 89 mt/ha plots had 70-80% cover.

AROOOI88

O T h e fertilized K-31 plots at the 179 mt/ha and 89 mt/ha application'

rates were not as tall and had patchy exposured spoil areas. Unfer-tilized TNG and K-31 plot at the 179 mt/ha and 89 mt/ha applicationrates had a percent cover of 55-65% and were, not>as tall as thi-

corresponding fertilized plots. The 44 mt/ha plot had grown but the

coverage of the plot by grass was low (<10t).

The fall sludge plantings also provided excellent data on reclam-

ation techniques based on observations. There were areas in the 89

mt/ha plot where the hay mulch, placed to protect the germinating seed,

had blown away. The grass seed germinated but died soon.after. The

wind blown hay caused the problem of too much hay mulch on top of the ;seed. These areas did not have growing grass either. Thus, the best

/•• coverage of the seed by the mulch was determined to be 4.S mt/ha

O (2 tons/acre) hay. Soon after planting the 179 mt/ha plot, animals

dug in the pile disturbing (he seed and hay mulch cover. These areas

did not have a grass cover. The surface of t' - pile is intolerant to

any disturbance until the grass has become established.

Immature areas of grass for both species were rooted shallowly and

could be pulled from the ground easily. Mature areas of TWG had in-

corporated the spoil so effectively that normal foot depressions caused

by loose spoil on the 35* slope were not observed.The erosion control netting and the hay mulch layer contributed

to the dope stability. Vegetation on the K-31 plot does aid in.slope stability but some spoil movement is observed caused by walkingon the piles. No surface erosion from rainfall was observed from any

AROOOI89

>*s of the five field sludge plots.The erosion control netting and hay mulch proved to be very effect-

ive in aiding the growth and establishment of the grass for a uniform

cover. Hay was applied too thickly in some places which depressed the

growth of the grass. When this site is reclaimed a power mul.cher should

be used to give a uniform hay mulch cover over the entire area being

seeded.

The flat plots on the top of the solid waste pile were also

successful in filling in the exposed areas. Forb species, primarily

white clover and goldenrod, are present in large number* There are,

however, numerous areas that are exposed. The grasses are effective ii£

filling in these areas. Grass cover and roots will promote forb germ-

ination in these areas after the grass dies.6Field Planting with Sewage Sludge - Spring 1977

The field spoil plots on the slope, amended with 179 metric tons

per hectare (80T/acre) sewage sludge gave encouraging results. Tall

Wheatgrass provides a higher percent cover than Kentucky 31 tall fescue.

The approximate values of percent cover for tall Wheatgrass and K-31

are 80-90% and <10% respectively. Rooting depths in the amended spoil

also varied dramatically. After gathering a handful of grass blades

which were 8-12 inches tall, a force was exerted on the grass blades

and roots pulling thea up from the surface. Tall Wheatgrass was stead-fastly rooted. The grass was not able to be pulled from the groundwithout tearing and breaking the stems. K-31 was not rooted deeply.

O '<u

AROOOI90

f>>t It pulled out as a turf taking the top few inches of spoil with it.U „ '

Greenhouse Pot Experiment Using Sewage Sludge

Chemical testing for plant available elements and plant tissue

data for this laboratory pot experiment with sludge may be found in

Table IV- 10 and IV- 11 respectively. Yield data for the experiment is

found in Table IV-12.

The yield .of Alkar tall Wheatgrass and Kentucky-31 Tall Fescue

was erratic. No trends in yield for spoil 7 and spoil 3 could be ob-

served over the application rates (0 to 816 mt/ha sludge, dry weight

basis). Yields for tall Wheatgrass and K-31 under fertilized and un- >•

fertilized conditions grown on amended spoil 3 were slightly less for

spoil 3 than for spoil 7.ri~j Yields of amended spoil 7 pots under fertilized and unfertilized

conditions did show an increasing yield with application rate over

the control. (Graph IV-7) The control was just spoil with no sludge.

Tall wheatgrass grown in spoil 3 increased slightly over the control inunfertilized pots while fertilized pots decreased in yield.

Amended spoil 7 and garden soil pots for both K-31 and tall wheat-

grass; unfertilized and fertilized had similar yields to grasses grown

on pure sludge. This suggests that phytotoxicities are not present.Yields in amended spoil 3 were less than those grasses grown in sludge.This does not necessarily suggest phytotoxicities but may indicate some

other factor, physical or chemical in nature, is depressing plant grow-th. The pH of the spoil 3 was the highest and this spoil had the lowest

AROOOI9I

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1AROOOI92

OlOll/)Kl inOIINn _. Ol OlrtOOOIINrtOTIN

§§§§3333

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inm.T IN O Ol Kl IN rt«'» N N « W rt 01

coiotoiNoon «rMOlO" ,rt IN MIN Mrt tOlOM *en £ rt in T m oi01 9 N IN 10 O «

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'AROOOI93

r* Table IV- 11 Plant Tissue Analysis with Sewage Sludge

Application Percent Microgrtns per GramRate __________ ____________

K-31

Spoil 3

TallWheat-grass

K-31

Spoil 7_____

b( ) Wheatgrass

K-31

GardenSoil

TallWheat-grass

Sludge

3.0 5S.O 11.3136 0.17 0.71 4.95 0.23 .85 9.7 3.SO 53.0 15,0272 0.18 0.77 4.85 0.30 .55 8.0 8.50 51.0 11.3544 0.48 0.80 5.00 0.31 .80 10.3 7.0 105 18.0816 0.19 0.82 4.71 0.24 .98 6.0 2.88 54.0 12.10 0.16 0,84 5.00 0.18 .25 5.4 3.0 42.0 6.0136 0.13 .93 4.30 0.17 .60 6.0 3.0 55.0 15.0272 0.14 0.77 4.15 0.18 .50 7.0 3.50 53.0 13.5544 0.16 0.88 4.70 0.21 .25 6.0 3.50 57.0 18.5816 0.19 1.00 4.60 0.21 .45 9.1 4.0 69.0 21.00 0.35 0.48 4.27 0.33 .26 4.8 5.32 32.0 7.1136 0.48 0.49 5.30 0.31 1.0 7.0 4.50 48.0 10.5272 0.58 0.47 5.00 0.25 .85 7.0 3.0 61/0 12.5544 0.64 0.54 3.95 0.24 .70 5.4 3.50 60!o 13.0816 0.72 0.46 5.30 0.32 1.50 11.4 6.0 130 18.50 0.45' 0.64 5.30 0.25 .50 6.0 13.0 42.0 9.5

-„.. . 136 . 0.58 0.61 5.45 0.31 .55 7.0 10.0 57.0 13.S• "" 272 0.60 0.68 5.30 0.30 ,85 9.7 8.50 100 19.8

544 0.70 0.61 5.30 0.35 1.0 7.5 9.50 110 28.0816 0.78 0.59 4.85 0.30 1.0 8,0 13.0 140 22.00 . 0.60 0.28 5,75 0.49 1.30 24.5 3.50 94.0 10.S136 0.72 0.29 5.45 0.47 3.30 7.0 3.0 130 13.5272 0.78 0.29 5.00 0.43 3.45 7.0 3.50 135 12.5544 0.80 0.30 5.IS 0.45 2.80 7.0 4.50 145 17.5816 0.78 0.27 5.15 0.40 2.30 8.5 4.50 130 10.50 0.85 0.40 6,15 0.51 1.40 12.0 3,50 155 12.5136 0.90 0.44 6.05 0.51 2.0 12.0 6,50 168 17.5272 0.90 0.39 6.20 0.53 2.0 13.5 8.0 163 17.5

12.0 205 13.511.50 190 19.8

Sludge 1.15 0.44 2.60 0.20 1.6010.8 10.50233 13.5Sludge 1.45 0.56 3.05 0.29 1.50 13.0 21.0 250 13.5

AROOOI91*

Table IV-l2 Yield of Grasses from Greenhouse SludgeExperiment

5 Smt/ha x/pot it/potrate

TNG Spoil 7 only 0 .855 2.41TNG Spoil 7 135 2.99 '1.45TNG Spoil 7 271 1.905 6.575TNG Spoil 7 543 2.085 2.29TNG Spoil 7 SIS 3,535 3,07TNG Spoil 3 only 0 ,98 .4TNG Spoil 3 135 1.835 1.3TNG Spoil 3 271 1.865 1.825TNG Spoil 3 543 1.045 .85TNG Spoil 3 815 1.055 1.72TNG Garden Soil only 0 3.635 3.235TNG Garden ft Sludge 135 4.19 237TNG Garden ft Sludge 271 3.45 2.825TNG Garden ft Sludge 543 3.35 3.945TNG Garden ft Sludge 815 1.68 4.045TNG Sludge only - 3.55 3.55

K-31 Sludge only - 3.845 3.845K-31 Spoil 7 only 0 1.48 .885

Spoil 7 ft Sludge 135 2.355 5,235271 4.21 5.54543 1.11815 5.096 3,56

K-31 Spoil 3 only ' 0 1.65 .35Spoil 3 ft Sludge 135 2.765 .46

271 1.02 1.11543 1.325 .205816 1.98 1.045

K-31 Garden Soil only 0 4.375 3.525 'Garden Soil ft Sludge 135 4.155 3.66

271 3.455 5.53543 5.525 6.38816 5.655

AROOOI95

C\ ca/mg ratio. Graphs IV-7 through IV-9 show the yield of grasses for

the three substrates.There was no relationship found between plant available calcium

and magnesium when compared to yield of the grasses. This data is

based on the fertilized pots only. No relationships were found forca/mg ratios versus yield for the amended spoil pots. There is a

suggestion of a linear relationship between ca/mg and yield for tall

wheatgrass grown on garden soil (Graph IV-10). K-31, however, suggests

an inverse linear relationship for ca/mg grown on garden soil. (Graph

IV-11). No relationships between yield and the other plant availableelements were found. \

Plant available Cd, Cu, Cd/Zn, Ni and Zn as determined by the

i method of Baker (1970, 1973), all show Increases in availability with

increasing application rate of sludge for all three amended spoil and

soil types. Concentrations of Cu and Zn.for example, (Graphs IV-12

and IV-13) are not different between the garden soil and spoils 3 and

7. There are distinct differences in plant available Ni for the

three types, but all remain below the plant available Ni value for

sludge (Graph IV-14).

Cadmium increases in plant availability beyond the value for sludge

above the 220'mt/ha rate (Graph IV-1S). This is also reflected in

the plant available Cd/Zn ratios. This increase above sludge is notreadily explainable. Acid soluble Cd/Zn is equal to .01 which is therecommended value for agricultural land application. The sludge basedon acid soluble Cd/Zn is safe for land application based on guidelines

O

^ AROOOI96

GRAPH IV-8

rO _ Spoil 7

Tail VheatgnaaFertilized potUnfertilized pot 3--C

OFertilized potUnfertilized pot

YIELD(dry gasMbiomaas)

6

' APPLICATION RATS KT/hm

O

AROOOI97

GRAPH XV-9

Garden SoilTmll Wlwatgrt" ,Fertilized potUnfwtiliMd potKentuoky 31Tall Fescue

(dry g»« Hbiomaaa)

6

APPLICATION RA.TI OT/ta

.1

AROOOI98

ORAPH XV-10

i" 0 Oraaau TWO

.6

Control

».Control

Parameter:(baaed on plant availabledata)

O

Control0

0

. © Sludge©

i «. aYIELD (dry f»

O

AROOOI99

0

5

6 '

/ 1

Control

•V»«Controlo>.e>

Oraan K-31C»/tag,

GRAPH XV-11

(baaed on plantavailable data.)

0. 0

tl

Control ;0

Sludge0

t *

TULD (dry •••

0

O

O

AR000200

GRAPH IV-18

OPLANT AVAILABLE

Parameteri COPPER (ppm)

Sludge

Soil

COPPER(ppa)

O .'

4» MB

APPLICATION RATE MT/ ht

AR00020I

GRAPH IV-13

OPLANT AVAILABLE

Parameter! ZINC (ppm)

Sludge

4oo tt»APPLICATION RATE MT/

o.

flR000202

GRAPH IV-1 &

PLANT AVAILABLEParameter i NICKEL (ppm)

Sludge

a,

f

p-

1°

Ni o(pp.) ?

•

6

4.'

2i

• a 1

s

^ Spoil 7

--•*" ""r~~//r1 J* Garden Soil' X/ X'

./.......... ....-^/ /

/ /.'/ , // /'

• »

/ -.-d/ r--«

/ A- ———— » SP°11 3

. ^ ./^/vto 4«o to «o /too

_ APPLICATION RATE MT/ haO

AR000203

GRAPH IV-15

0

Cd

0

O

4

3

PLANT AVAILABLE' parameter! CADMIUM

Spoil 7

Garden Soil

/ flSpoil 3

4BO , to)APPLICATION RATE MT/ ha

AR00020II

-J developed by Chaney (1973). Zn plant availability remains below the~ /

availability for sludge.

Plant available lead decreases sharply for garden soil upon the

addition of sewage sludge. Amended spoil 7'has*an increase in the

available lead for the 136 mt/ha rate but then a sharp decrease follows

the decrease found for soil. Amended conditions increase the avail-

able lead in spoil 3 as .it remains constant (Graph IV-16).

The pH for the amended soil solution does decrease with increasing

application of sludge. This is expected. Note the ranges of initial

and final pH values. Spoil 3 ranges from 9.3 to 8.9. Spoil 7 fron

8.9 - 7.6 and the amended garden soil from 7.4 to 6.6, The pH of the •

unamended garden soil Is 5,8. Although many of the plant materials are

JT alkaline tolerant species, the high pH for spoil 3 associated withthe low ca/mg ratios may introduce a stress that only alkaline toler-

ant grasses can adapt to. ,

The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of unamended spoil 7 and garden

soil conditions are similar to the CEC under amended conditions. For

spoil 3 the unamended CEC value is low compared to the amended spoil

CEC values. Amended spoil has little variability in CEC values from

an application rate of 136 mt/ha sludge to 816 mt/ha. Graph IV-l7

illustrates this change.

The concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn in the plant tissue (the

steis and blades of grass) increased with application rate of sewage

sludge. Lead showed a decrease in tissue concentration under amended

conditions for soil while amended spoil conditions did not change.

O

' /-IAR000205

GRAPH IV-16

PLANT AVAILABLEParameter! LEAD (ppm)

0LEAD

(ppm)

2CD 400 £60 90 1060APPLICATION RATE NT/ ha

O

AROQ0206

GRAPH IV-17

o _ . .parameteri CEC meg/100 gmaGrasst -

Spoil 7Garden Soil

to 4» m w>APPLICATION RATE HT/ ha

oAR000207

O Graph IV-18, shows there is little difference in lead in the plant/ ~"

tissue among ':he three materials,

" Graph IV-19 shows the concentration of Cd in the plant tissues

with increasing application rate of sewage sludge, Amended spoil 7

and spoil 3 show slight increases of Cd with increasing application

rate. Garden soil shows a much.larger increase in tissue held Cd than

the corresponding akaline spoil grown plant tissues.

The tissue concentration of Cd from amended soils is larger and

different than the tissue bound Cd grown on spoil for tall wheatgrass

at corresponding application rates, Although Cadmium was greater in

the tissue grown in amended soil than on unamended soil, the concent- •

ration of Cd in tissue from amended soil pots decreases with increas-

... ing "rate pf sludge application. Plant tissue concentration of Cd

for the two amended spoils did not increase greatly,

Interesting relationships between plant availability and tissue

concentration for Cd are displayed in Graph IV-20. Cadmium con-

centration in the tissue for both tall wheatgraas and K-31 is not in-

fluenced by the increased availability of Cd by the soil test method

used. In soil amended pots this may not be true. Cd uptake may be

directly related to plant availability for K-31. However, in tall

wheatgrass Cd appears to decrease with increasing plant available Cd.

Of the nine elements analyzed, only magnesium shows a possible

relationship of uptake being related to depressed yields. The analysis

of K-31 clearly illustrates this. Graph IV-21 shows a high uptake of

Mg for spoil 3 depressed the yields when compared to the garden soil

O

Il(> AR000208

GRAPH IV-18

O

Metali LEADGrassi TWO

APPLICATION RATE HT/ ha

AR000209

GRAPH IV-19

6

6UPTAKEofCd

(ppn)

Metali CADMIUMGrassi TWO

Garden Soil\

e

\i

\

S•s

Garden Soil

4_o (to tftoA APPLICATION RATE W/ h*O

AR0002IO

O

ORAPHIV-20 (

Soilo : . .

I »PLANT AVAILABLE Cd

arassi

u ^___PUNT AVAILABLE Cd <PP»>

AR0002II "*

GRAPH IV-21

0

1.0

J

A

UPTAK •*E

(ppm)

.1

00

•fl «6

. — — — — —

U

ft

Element i Magnesium'Grassi K-31Spoil 13 (g)Spoil f 7 ',©1

'

a 3 1YIELD (dry gms biomass)

AR0002I2

o"" yields and -tissue concentration values, The data suggests that

Hg had little effect on the yield of K-31 grown in spoil 7. Similar

results are seen for Ca uptake and the Ca/mg ratios while therelationship is less discernable for tall whoatgrass (Graph IV-22).

The concentrations of Cd, Pb, NI, Zn and Cu in the plant tissue

of TNG and K-31 are reported in Table Iv-11. Most of the plant con-

centrations for Cd, Ca, Pb, Ni and Zn are within thos« listed as

normal concentrations for plants (Allaway, 1968). Table IV-13

lists those by Allaway (1968) . Cadmium concentrations in plant

tissue grown on amended spoil do not differ from those listed as

normal in Table IV-13, Plant concentrations from plants grown in

amended soil are all 2 - 4 times higher than those reported as normal.

f-x Lead remains within normal ranges for amended spoil but some high

rates of sludge application exceed normal values. Nickel values

exceed that listed as normal for all grasses at all rates of applica-

tion but are well below the 50 ppm value listed as toxic. Copper

values from the plant tissue analysis tend to remain within normal

ranges for spoil but exceed normal ranges for soil. Zn remains within

normal ranges except at one 'amended soil rate and for plants grown in

pure sludge.

Column Leaching Experiments

Results from the amended spoil leaching experiments are listed

in Table IV-14. The Itachate from these columns contains very low

amounts of heavy metals when compared to the concentration of metals

AR0002I3

0

GRAPH IV-22 Caparameteri Mg (based on plantGrassi TWO uptake)Spoil | 3Spoil # 7SludgeSoil

O

4

'e

I 1 3 4YIELD (dry gms bionass)

Grassi K-31

• • •

° I J 5 * r *YIELD (dry gma biomass)

AR0002II*

0 Table IV-13 JTotal Concentrations of Trace Elements TypicallyPound in Soils and Plants1

0.1-402-1000.01-75-3000

MOO2-200100-40000.2-5

From Allaway (1968). ...,„. specles

Fro. Page (1974)

inAR0002I5

A Table IV-14 Column leaching Experiments

Ail values in ppb

89.68 mt/ha lOppm Metals179.36 mt/ha lOppm Metals

269.04 mt/ha lOppm Metals

ippm Metals - 3.5 36.6 .36 149.7 54.3

10pp» Metals' 1-S 26.3 SO 131 31.5

' • lOOppm Metals 1 ".3 48.6 129.7 32.3

89.68 .t/h. H20 1 32.3 41.6 \S7.6 21.S>

179.36 mt/ha H,0 1 45.3 42 154.6 I7.l'

269.04 mt/ha H20 3.5 63.3 45.3 223 25

Sludge Only~H " " ""No Sludge H20

Sludge OnlyH20 »"" "0 81.5 473 43.30 36 30.6 166.3 62

...CB

10800* 873. 1420S» 19587.5» 660.6*

1370* 380* 3380* 3217.7* 185*

270* 149* 2055* 1946.7* 145*

O.lc_ '5400* 436* 7102* 9794* 330*

Ma| 685* 190* lfi90* 1609* 92lS*

2-3 cm 135* 75* "27.S* 973* 72'.S*

N.B. Values in mg/g

113

AR0002I6

6

initially. After leaching a 1, 10 and 100 ppm metal solution throughthe pure spoil columns respectively, there is little difference in

the leachate concentration between the three columns. The 1 ppm

metal column leachate had the highest concentrations of 4 of the 5

metals. These columns illustrate the retention capacity of the spoil

material to immobilize metal ions, The Cd leachate is below the drink-

ing water standard of 10 mg/1. (EPA interim standards, June, 1977).

Graph IV-23 shows, the relationship between amended spoil 3 and

amended spoil leached with spiked 10 ppm metal solution, This exper-

iment was run to see what capacity the spoil has for the removal of

metal ions, Deionized water was used to simulate the leaching of j

the material by rainwater in laboratory conditions. These data

suggest that the spoil material does a very effective job of immobil-

izing metal Ions contained in the sludge. These low values suggest

that sludge may be applied to the pile of spoils without fear of

toxic heavy metal contamination of the nearby stream.

Graph IV-24 shows what happens to metals with increasing the

depth of spoil. For every metal, substantial quantities of the metal

are retained in the top ore centimeter. As the depth is increased,

less metal is found. This was a qualitative experiment. It was de-

signed to' show that when metal ions come in contact with the spoil and

spoil solution, the majority of these ions are Immobilized within the

top few centimeters of spoil.

0 M

AR0002I7

0

ca Jif i

4iuk «•^ M.I-U

RATE of SWAGE SLUDGE MT/ta

AR0002I8

GRAPH XV-23 HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION in LEACHATE vi.APPLICATION RATE of SLUDGE in COLUMNS

300

moen.intohate,pb)

6°

100

100 200 300

APPLICATION RATE of SWAGE SLUDGE WT/ha

AR0002I9

0-1

p-v&w r

"9/3 GRAPH XV-24 IMMOBILIZATION»a> aa» fa- .coo~"——"——'——"*~1 • o* HEAVY MEWLS by th*

1 SPOIL With INCREASING

COLUMN DEPTH

0-1DVI

I-I Copped-"Vs

t>

aa . >>

XU

r l-t* .,

o-it)p \-t

If

0-1

AR000220

C" Discussion'v,,.' Mw w M BBt wwi

The important results of this project .are:1. Organic amendments act as soil conditioners and arenecessary for an immediate vegetative cover and for long termestablishment of that cover.2. Plants grown in municipal sewage aludge provide a goodcover on the steep slopes of the pile of spoil.3. Yields of grasses are not depressed with increasing rateof sludge application.4. Sewage sludge increases the cation Exchange capacity (CEC)when nixed with the calcium carbonate waste material. ;5. Sewage aludge increases the calciun:magneaium ratio.6. The chemical^properties of the spoil and the physical and

O chemical properties of sewage sludge immobilize potentialheavy metal pollution by leaching and the pH should minimizenitrate pollution by volatilization of NH3 during the '-Tins-formation of organic to inorganic nitrogen.7. Qualitative experiments indicate that large concentrationsof Cd, Cu, Hi, Pb and Zn are found in the top centimeter ofalkaline spoil material. Successively smaller concentrationsare found in the 1-2 cm and 2-3 en depths.

l

8. Heavy netals generally increase in plant availability with•ludge applications; but the concentrations in the plant tissuedo not increase and no phytotoxicity problems were apparent.9, The SO en column waa effective in reducing the heavynatal content of the leaching water to very low (100 ppb or less)

O

|W AR00022I

,, levels.C~} - roe federal government has outlined in the Fed

Register, Volume 40 No. 199, October M, »», thr.n_tive. for the reclamation of inactive asbestos w.disposal -it... A. »«thod. recommended in thi. r.r.pr.s.nt sub.t.nti.1 cost savings for meeting theregulations. Reclamation of these alXalin. piles cprovides a vegetative cover which promote, wildlife„ eye sore, conserves the natural resources of thiMfl promote, better water quality by reducing surf.

The magnitude of the problem of how •?•*•-the pile. i. illustrated by a study don. for the »

Authority of the County of Montgomery. _n ( The study determined there'were no current u.

w..te, that yield economical advantages to removeThe costs for the removal'given in the report arethe length of time required to remove the spoil.Haul by rail to aorthern.Pennsylvania; project con

ona year,' cost - 11 1Ui« dollars. Option 2: »to local dump site*; project completed in 3-5 yea:3.75 million dollars. The possible use. for the ,

in Yabl« V-l.S.v«ge sludge was not the only organic amend,

for reclamation, but was considered the mo.t ecoaan.ndm.nts included horse, dairy, poultry and cat

V_ « ?a. S5wffijiSof Montgomery County.

AR000222

6

6

Table V-l Possible Uses For the HastePiles By The Science Center

1. "BEST" OVERALL USES IN NEW PRODUCT

1. Neutralizing agent in flue-gas .scrubbers,especially in plants recycling lead fromlead-acid batteries.

2. Filler in sanitiiry landfill, highway, ormarginal land.

3. Portion of animal feed and use aa agriculturallimestone.

4, Filler in pet litter, such as "Kitty Litter.115. Calcine to lime.using excess heat from local

nuclear power stations.6. Sell as "Premium Grade Calcium Carbonate.11

2. MOST ECONOMIC WAY TO MOVE HASTES

1. Place in local landfills.2. Use to neutralize wastes from feed-lot operations.3. Use to neutralize wastes from industrial processes.4. Use as binder in bricks, ceramics, etc.

3. . QUICKEST HAY TO MOVE HASTES ' "~

Large-scale rail haul to coal mines or quarries.4. LEAST COST USE OF HASTES

Leave the wastes whore they are and stabilize andrevegetate - make into a "Community Asset."

(from: Assessment of Industrial Hastes in Ambler,Pennsylvania, Univ. City Science Center, 197S.)

AR000223

(~*j and topsoil. Cattle and dairy manure waa difficult to obtainand poultry manure presents odor problems. It tatoa one horsea year to produce 18 wet tons of manure. To cover the pileswith 80 dry tons of manure/acre, the services of about 200horses would be needed for a year. The logistics of such acollection would be difficult, if not impossible. Low ratesof straw and manure which are available near .Ambler, proved tobe an unsatisfactory amendment when tested in field experiments.

Sewage sludge from the city of Philadelphia was chosen.Sludge is produced from municipal and industrial waste

water which ia received by the treatment facility. Settling ,ft

and sedimentation occurs and the water is drawn off and removedfrom the aludge. This solid material is anaerobically digested

O at'35 - 37.7°C (95 - 100°F) for 20-30 days. Starting back in

1954, the digested product was lagooned on a nearby site.Recently, the material has been dug out of the lagoons andspread on the ground for air drying. The sludge was disced byagricultural machinery. The aludge, after sedimentation, hasa 4% solids, after digestion it is 16-25%, and after lagooningand air drying - 65-70% solids. The material from the sewagelagoons i.'called Philorganic. The exact residence time of

i

the sludge in the lagoons is not known, but it is safe toassume it has been in lagoons for several years. Table 11-26lists the chemical analysis of Philorganic and Table II-3compares the three sludges produced by Philadelphia to thoseproduced by other major cities in the USA. Philorganic and

^ the Southwest sludge are produced at the sane treatment plant.

AR000221*

, The major difference between the two is that the Philorganic••- aludge was produced and lagooned starting back in 1954 and

the southwest sludge is currently being produced and is hot

lagooned for the same number of years., Amendments aa Soil conditioners

Results suggested from the beginning of the project thatorganic spoil aMsodmnnts play an important role in growth andestablishment of above and below ground plant parts. The

initial greenhouse tray experiment with unamended spoil suggested

that macro nutrients (N,P,K) do promote germination vigor and•

young blade and stem development, but do not aid in growth>

beyond six weeks. The yield data from the greenhouse experi- 'ments using horse manure shows increased yields from amendedpots when compared to unamended control pots (Table IV-8).Amended spoil with sewage sludge also reflects this difference(Graph IV 6-9 and Table IV-9). There was considerable varia-tions in the yields with sludge. These results were confirmedby hydroseeding the old spoils pile with Kentucky 31 Tall Fescueat 125 Iba/acre and 400 Ibs/acre of 10-20-20 fertilizer.

Spoil amended with horse manure (89.68 mt/ha dry basis)

had extensive root development in the 'amended spoil but theroots did not penetrate the unamended spoil at the bo-torn ofthe pot. The most dramatic effect of organic amendments waaobserved in aludge amended spoil. There was a uniformincorporation of the spoil and sludge within the pot. Rootdevelopment increased from very little under all unamended

"•> conditions, to very complete incorporation on the external

6

AROQ0225

ji. surfaces and internal areas of the spoil in the pots foramended rates 135 mt/ha and 271 mt/ha of spoil 7. '

Field observations on 1 August 1977 confirm the success-ful establishment of tall wheatgrass at 89 mt/ha, 179 mt/ha

and 269 mt/ha sludge. Fertilizer affects the germination

vigor and early shoot growth. Fertilizer does not show secondgrowing season enrichment of plant growth when compared to

unfertilized plots as confirmed by field trails. Tall wheat-

grass is the superior alkaline drought tolerant species.

Plots seeded with 224 kg/ha (200 lbs/acre)Alkar tall wheatgrass

seed amended with 179 mt/ha aludge had 80-90% cover 4 months >t »

after planting. The corresponding K-31 plot had only 10% orless cover. The tall wheatgrass root development after 4 months

(~\ on 'the 179 mt/ha plot and approximately 10 months on the 89mt/ha and 269 mt/ha plots, was so deep that a bunch of stemscould not be pulled from the ground. K-31 root development isshallower and only extends to 3-4 inches of depth.

Yields were generally not depressed due to the increasingrate of sludge (Table IV-9, Graphs lv-6-9). There were, however,

yields from some application rates that decreased by a largemargin. Graph- III-7 plots the yield of tall whaatgraas andK-31 under fertilized and unfertilized conditions. At anapplication rate of 543 mt/ha, the yields for both grassesunder fertilized and unfertilized conditions decreaaad. Noconclusive evidence waa obtained to explain this phenomenon .

,-.:. The yield data for the sludge amended spoil greenhouse

AR000226

, experiment and the plant available chemical data suggeststhat yields of glass grown on spoil 3 may be depressed due tohigh pH and high plant available Mg*2 (Meq/100 gma) with alow plant available Ca* (Meq/100 gms) which results in a lowCa/Mg ratio (Graph V-l, Graph IV-9+10).

Sewage sludge alter the Ca/Mg ratio under amendedconditions when compared to the control. Table V-2 liststhe Ca/Mg values obtained from the two seta of plant availablechemical teats for unamended spoil from seven locations (see

Table III-l for identification of spoil locations) and aludgeamended spoil. The differences in the Ca/Mg values for amendedmaterials is reflected in the initial values for spoil 3 and7 (arrows) and also the "0" mt/ha or control pot, and notbecause of sludge additions. Ca/Mg ratios listed in TableV-2 provide interesting results when graphed against yielddata (Graph XV-9tlO). This plot shows larger yields for gardensoil and higher Ca/Mg ratios when compared to the yield andCa/Mg ratios obtained for spoils 3+7.

Excessive magnesium in, plant tissues could interfere withnormal utilization of calcium perhaps by simple ion corapetion,at root membrane exchange sites (Halker, 1952). One najoreffect of Ca is to ameliorate the toxicitiea of other elements(Procter, 1970). Ca*2 allows the entrance and subsequent uptakeof Bonovalent ions while restricting the movement of divalentions to the exchange sites (Antonivics, 1971). Loew and May

l

(1901) were the first to introduce the Ca/Mg ratio. Theydetermined Ca/Mg by acid extraction of soil solutions should

AR000227

6

6

\T-2 Ca/Hg Ratios of Unamended Spoil

Spoil Type Ca/Mg1 .2022 .1383 .2074 .09485 .2686 .1537 4.13 from '.able IV-5

Sludge Amended SoilApplication Rate Ca/Mg ratio for each amended .material

of SludgeMt/ha spoil 3 Spoil 7 Garden Soil

0 0.976 1.11 5.3589 0.68135 0.558 "•- 1.08 6.25179 0.748269 0.748271 '0.558 1.2 6.25543 0.592 1.03 4.41815 0.592 2.23 3.75

From Table IV-10

0. . . | 3 o

AR000228

f*\ equal 1 or more for good plant growth. The effect of Ca/Mgcannot be conclusively described by the data collected inthese experiments. It is clear that higher yields for bothtall wheatgrass and Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue are obtained whenthe Ca/Mg ratio ia 1 or greater (Graph IV-9+10). Data collectedby Greenway and Rogers (1963) on saline-akali soils in WesternAustralia indicated low Ca/Mg ratios for soil profiles on manysites where tall wheatgrass (Agropyron alongatum) was growing.Their data for salt extraction in A. elongatum is presented in

Table V-3.

Sewage sludge increases the Cation Exchange Capacity (CECJ).

Graph IV-16 plots the change in CEC with application rate ofl sewage sludge. 'Amended spoil 3-pots-increased .over control

which waa unamended. Spoil 7 and the garden soil decreased andincreased respectively in CEC over the span of unamended andamended conditions. The cation exchange capacity is a veryimportant parameter for plant growth and mitigating potentialhazardous effects of heavy metal ions. Haghfri (1974) foundthat increases in CEC in agricultural soils was linked to thedecrease of Cd concentration in the plants grown on these soils.Si-dlar effects have been observed for Pb, Ni, Cu and Zn andare reported by Baker (1974), Page (1974) and Garrigan (1976).

It is important to note that the higher application ratesused in the greenhouse pot experiments with sludge greatlyexceed the rat. of sludge application recommended in thi. study. •

- Based on the plant availability of heavy metals, the tissue

AR000229

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AR000230

6

. concentration of the metals yield and percent cover of plots"" from field experiments, the rate of 179 mt/ha (80 tona/acre,

dry weight basis) is a suitable aludge application rate forthe calcium carbonate waste reclamation.

Thia conclusion is based on analyzing the data at thisrate. Plant available values for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn donot increase in availability by a large margin from 135 mt/hato 179 mt/ha (Graphs IV-12-15, Graphs in appendix and Table

IV-10). Tissue concentrations of metals at this rate under

amended spoil conditions remain within those expected fromunamended natural soils (Table IV-13 and from Page, (1974).Yields are still increasing (Graph IV-6-8 and Table IV-l2).Based on field observations, there ia little difference in %cover between the 135 mt/ha (40 tons/acre) and 269 mt/ha ratesof plots planted in the fall of 1976. Sludge field plots

planted in Spring 1977, w'ith 179 mt/ha sewage sludge give high(80-90%) percent cover values for tall wheatgrass and muchlower 10% values for K-31. This demonstrates the adaptabilityand success of the plant materials.

Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn generally increase in plant avail-ability with increased sludge applications in spoil 7+3 andgarden soil (Graph IV-12-14). The plant tissue concentrationof metals does not indicate any phytotoxicity problems (TableXV-11 and Table Il-fl). Pb shows a decrease in available leadfor garden soil and spoil 7, while spoil 3 increases in avail-ability with increasing rate of aludge applications (Graph

111-15).

Ii3AR00023I

6

Metal concentrations of plant tissues grown on agri-cultural soils" amended with municipal sewage sludge have beenfound to be higher than those obtained in this project forgrass grown on garden soil. They are also much higher thanthose found in grass blades and stems grown on unamended andamended spoil (Table IV-12 Jarvia et al (1977), HunterVerganano (1952) .

Cd, Cu, Pb, Hi and Zn concentrations in tall wheatgrassand K-31 grown on amended garden soil (pH * 7.4, CEC • 18.4

meq/100 gms, loamy sand) had tissue concentrations of heavymetals that were higher than the graases grown under spoilamended conditions (pH • 9.3-7.6, CEC • 30.0-8.8 meq/100 gms). ;

(See Table IV-11 and Graphs XV-18 and those in appendix.)The variations in pH between sludge amended and unamended

soils and amended and unamended alkaline waate material may bethe cause of these differences. The low tissue concentrationsin plants suggests that it ia the nature of the alkaline wastematerial to immobilize heavy metals preventing them to be takenup by plants and possibly from leaching to surface and groundwater.

Page (1974) has outlined the ranges of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hi andl

Zn found in plant tissue for plants growing in unamended soils.The conentrations of these metals found in tall wheatgrass andK-31 grown on amended alkaline spoil material at 135 mt/ha and271 mt/ha are within those given by Page (1974) with only oneexception. All are well under the toxic values given for Cu,Hi and Zn. Tissue concentrations grown in amended garden soil

AROOQ232 „

6

, were less than the toxic ranges for Cu, Ni and Zn, but exceeded>J many times the tissue concentrations of metals found in normal

and natural plants (See Table IV-13).The importance of this data is that plants grown on

amended spoil within the ranges of sludge applications recom-mended in this report have tissue concentrations similar tonatural plants and may not present hazards to wildlife browsingon the planted vegetation or utilizing the seeds.

When sewage sludge is incorporated with the spoil material,

the chemical properties of the spoil in association with thechemical and physical properties of sludge immobilize potentialheavy metal leaching and the high pH should minimize nitratepollution. This report suggests that the properties of spoilmaterial and sludge combined creates a substrate that ia suitablefor good plant growth and cover. The use of the spoil andsludge together is compatible whereas on their own, they con-stitute potentially hazardous materials.

The geochemical qualities of the heavy metals makes themimmobile and unavailable .or plant growth. pH exerts a strong

influence on the chemical solubility. Diagram V-l -hows theplot of concentration va pH. Zinc and copper are amphotericMtals. They become more soluble at low and high pH's. ThepH of the unamended calcium carbonate spoil material (9.0-9.5)corresponds to the minimum solubility for the zinc and copperoxid. system. At that pH, the solubility of the oxide is

A iQ-7 t() 1Q-9 B0_aa/i Hhich is very low. Carbonates may be

AROOQ233

GHAPH V-1

O

Parameteri BAKERTESTItl

#> fa (eo toAPPLICATION RAffi M_/ ha

AR00023i»

ro

Pic V-l - Zinc and Copper Solubilities

Prom Stumm & Morgan (1970)

O

AROOQ235

the stable phase at CO- levels found in the plant root zone,but they would therefore be even less soluble. Chelation byorganic matter could enhance the solubility and mobility ofthe heavy metals but thia does not appear to be the case here.

Precipitation is probably the major chemical process thatties up free metal ions making them unavailable for leachingor plant uptake. Complexation with organic matter and absorptionare the other processes for binding metals.

The column leaching experiments demonstrate the immobilityof heavy metal ions percolating through unamended spoil material.

•

The very low concentrations found in the leachafca (Table IV-14)>can be explained by the geochemical theory. Results of thisexperiment indicate that the 50 centimeters of unamended spoil

X no.'3, effectively reduces the metal content of leaching water.O Ion. liberated from 15 centimeters of amended spoil, (which was

placed on top of the 50 cm of unamended spoil), and two kinds ofinorganically spiked heavy metal solutions were fixed whenleached through the spoil (Table IV-14, and Graph IV-22). Ifthis information is put into the context of the pile, watermoving through the piles percolates through 60-80 feet ofalkaline spoil material. It may take months or years for adrop of rain to leach through 60-80 f.et of material. He canonly speculate that these conditions may reduce the metal con-centrations found in the leachate to a greater degree th_r.those analyzed in the column experiment. Pilot monitoringprojects with lysimeters ia one means of testing.

/ j The qualitative metal profile experiment also reaffirms

|3ffAR000236

x£ geochemical theory. Graph IV-23 illustrates the heavy metalimmobility In this alkaline waste. The majority of thealkaline waste was immobilized and precipitated within the top1 centimeter of t«. unamended spoil. Decreasing amounts werefound at subsequent depths (1-2 cm, 2-3 cm).

There are two other hazards associated with sewage sludgethat deserve attention. Nitrogen contained in the sludge hasthe potential of creating nitrate pollution. PCB's and DOTresidues have received attention recently because of theirpresence in Philadelphia sewage sludge. Levels of PCB's andaldrin in Philorganic are listed in Table 11-26. It ie notknown if these levels constitute a hazard.

Pesticide residues should not threaten the reclamationQ of the industrial spoils pile using sewage sludge. There «

two ways to proceed in dealing with this problem. A pilotapplication project could determine the levels of pesticide.residues in leachate through careful monitoring. Should thelevels of PCS'a and DOT's be deamed a hazard, a municipalaewage sludge that does not contain hazardous levels of theseresidues should be obtained.

The nitrogen cycle in soil is a complex series of enzymichydrolysis and oxidation reactions. Major divisions of thecycle are organic matter transformations,, mineralization, clay•literal fixation, nitrification, denitrification, gaseouslostes and H-fixation. The .cycle is outlined in Figure V-2.

Nitrate pollution arises in a series of reactions startingO with the mineralization of organically bound R-NH2 (R stands

131 AR000237

Figure V-2 Nitrogen Cycle

d

AtmosphericPood Chains

ResiduesManuresAnd Hastes

LossesSoil Organisms

MicrobesVH3 Losses

Organic NitrogenPool

OHO

AR000238

f ication is a

first mineralization product

Nitrate is

6 »..- - — «* . — —— '•' t.*

i a 3 4 s e r aPHAt pH 9.0 NH4 m$(q) *nd **•* **• present in equal con-\«entrations. Above pH 9.0, the NH3 produced from minerali-

••->. zation volitilizea aa a gas thereby leaving the site. Thisshould reduce the possibility for NOj" production.

Kl

6

Reco«endar.ion8

Amendment - Municipal sewage sludge is a suitable organic amendment,

As was pointed out in the literature review section, heavy

metal content varies based on the degree and kind of treatment. The

results from this study has suggested that the spoil waste has a capac-

ity to immobilize heavy metal ions and decreases the likelihood of

nitrate pollution. This allows the use of sludge with wider ranges of

heavy metal concentrations. One can then "shop around" for the best

source of sludge based on logistics and economic considerations, From•

an environmental and public relations standpoint the "cleaner" thei

sludge the better. The sludge does not present a health hazard to

those who work with it in reclamation or to the community, Because the

sludge is dry, (Dry 65-701 solids as opposed to liquid which is 4*

solids) there is only a weak odor which lasts for only two or threedays. The odor is not usually detectable except in close proximity to

the sludge. The recommended rate of sludge application is 179 mt/na

(80 tons/acre),

Incorporation - The sludge must be incorporated to a depth of 6-8

inches. Mixing sludge with the spoil aids in the devel-

opment of plant roots which binds the pile and a com-plete mixing ninimizes the chance for leaching of heavy

•etals contained in the sludge.

Plant Materials - Based on the performance of plants experimented with

AR0002l»0

"--' _ in this project, Alkar tall wheat grass (Agropyron

elongatum) was the best adapted grass. A 168 kg/ha

(ISO Ibs/acre) application rate of seed is recommend-

ed. Grasses can be seeded with legumes. Although no

field results were obtained for legumes, a mixture of

Lathco flat pea (Lathyrus sylvestris) and ciser milk

vetch (Astragalus cieer) is recommended. This rec-

ommendation is based on the alkaline tolerances of

these legumes from the literature.•

Seed and Mulch Broadcasting - The most economical method to broadcast ,•seed evenly is by hydro seeding. In one

application seed,, fertilizer mulch and water are applied .without walk-

O ing OI> OT disturbing the surface of the piles, Contractors have thismachinery on four wheel drive trucks so access to most of the piles is

not limiting.Because of the very steep slopes an erosion control milch is rec-

ommended for stabilization of the seed. This second mulch also protects

and aids the seeds in germination and establishment. In this experiment

a hay wilch and a plastic netting were used. The erosion controlnetting sty .be more costly than coMercial asphalt tacking that can be

l'

applied by a hydro seeding machine. The asphalt tacking was not used

in this project because it is too costly for only small plots.Two options are available for the erosion control mulching oper-

ation. 1) A wood cellulose mulch and binder, The milch and binder are

AR0002

6

6

coN*erciallx.available. This mulch and binder are applied in one

operation using hydro seeding equipment, The second option is the

power spreading of hay mulch then applying the binder with the hydro

seeding equipment. This option require; two proiedures. The secondoption is recommended. The hay will last longer, give more support

and aid in slope stabilization.

CostsThe costs of reclaiming the piles of spoils, based on the three

alternatives as outlined by EPA, are based on covering the asbestos

contaainated areas with soil. Two estimates for the cost of soilwere $3.50 and $6.00 per cubic yard of topsoil delivered. Table VI-1

lists the costs to be incurred by the regulations established by EPA.

Table VI-1 Cost Assessment for Topsoil

6 inches of topsoil$2823.10 for 806.6 cu yd/acre I $3.SO/cu yd.$4839.60 for 806.6 cu yd/acre 9 $6.00/cu yd.

6 inches of topsoil and hydroseeding$3823.10/acre with hydroseeding » $l,000/acre and

topsoil at $3.SO/cu yd

J5839.60/acre with hydroseeding » $l,000/acre andtopsoil at J6.00/CU yd

(!'T/eet of topsoil$16,940/acre for 4840 cu yd topsoil I $3.50/cu yd.

$29,040/acre for 4840 cu yd topsoil I $6.00/cu yd.

The cost of the purchase and delivery of topsoil to cover an acre

AROQ0242

0

with six inches of topsoil varies between $2,823 and $4,839. Incor-poration of The topsoil six inches into the surface material on the

slopes and the necessary preparations for seeding will cost $3,200

per acre. Hydroseeding, which is required,adds another $1,000 per

acre to the cost. The total cost for the reclamation of the piles

using six inches of topsoil will be $8,023 to $9,039 per acre.

The cost for purchase and delivery of topsoil to cover an acre

with three feet of topsoil varies between $16,940 to 29,040 per acre.

The engineering costs to distribute and prepare a seed bed of $3,200

per acre used above probably are not accurate in this case because bench-

ing and terracing are probably needed to stabilize three feet of topsoil.•

Costs for reclaiming the pile with sewage sludge are found in

-Table VI-2. The cost per acre to reclaim the piles is $5,700 per

acre. The engineering costs to incorporate the sludge is clearly

the highest. This figure is also potentially the most variable, The

estimate was given on the telephone without a site visit,

The costs on an acre basis for all three alternatives is given

in Table VI-3.

Table VI-3

Six inches of topsoil $8,023 - 9,039Three 'feet of topsoil $16,940 - 29,040Sewage Sludge $5,700

AR0002l»3

(j Table VI-2 Cost for Reclamation with Sludge

U.OOO/acre Hydroseeding (includes seed fertilizer,lime mulch,• hay or cellulose fiber and tacking)

$700/acre Trucking of sewage sludge from City of Philadelphia'sSouthwest treatment plant to Ambler, Pa.

$4,OOP/acre Incorporation of sludge plus surface preparation forhydroseeding

$5,7000 per acre •

Notes:

Hydroseeding costs vary with contractor. They can be as little

u $870.00/acre to $l,600.00/acre. These figures include seed fertil->

izer, lime, hay or cellulose fiber and tacking plus all application. •

Trucking costs could vary. The estimate given is fron the City

X. of Philadelphia. It was calculated using the following information:

80 tons/acre • 160,000 Ibs/acre

1 cu yd of sludge weighs 1500 Ibs.

106,67 cu yds of sludge needed to spread on an acre

106.67 cu yds • 7.1 truck loads

(1) 15 cu yd truck will take 3.5 days to transport106.67 cu yds.

A truck in a day can haul 30 cu yds.3.5 days to haul 106.67 cu yds t $200.00/day; $700.OO/

acre to transport sludge

It it clear that the reclamation of sludge is the Mst economic-

ally feasible,

RR0002M.

Literature Cited

Agriculture Handbook. No. 339. USDA-SCS, 1968.

Allaway, W. H. 1968. Copper-Soil-Kater Plant Relationships. Fed.Amer. Soc. Exp. Bio. 33: 1188-1193.

1 Analytical Methods for Atomic Absorption Spectre-photometers Usingthe HGA 2200 Graphite Furnace. Perkin-Blmer Mach., 1977.

•

Antonovics, J., Bradshaw, and R.G. Turner. 1971. Heavy Metal Tolerancein'Plants. Adv. Ecol. Res. 7:1-85.

Arvik, Jon H. and Robert L. Zindahl. 1974. The Temperature, pH andMetabolic Inhibitors or. Uptake of Lead by Plant Roots. J. Environ.Qual. 3: 374-376.

Arvik, Jen H. and R. L. Zimdahl. 1974. Barriers to the Foliar Uptakeof Lead. J. Environ. Qual, 3: 369-374, >•

Baker, D. E. 1974, Copper-Soil-Water Plant Relationships, Fed.Am. Soc. Exp. Bio. 33: 1188-1193.

Baker, D. E. 1973. A New Approach to Soil Testing: II Ionic EquilibriaInvolving H,K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Na, P and S. Froc. Am.Soil Sci. Socioty. 37: 537-541.

Baker, D. E. 1970. A New Approach to Soil Testing. Soil Sci. 112:381-391.

Beyer, L. E. and R. J. Hutnick. 1969. Acid and Aluminum Toxicity asRelated to Strip Mine Banks in Western Pennsylvania. PennsylvaniaState University Spec. Res. Report. SR-72. 79pp.

Bradford, G. R., A. L. Page, L. T. Lund, and N. Olmstead. 1975,Trace Element Concentrations of Sewage Treatment Plant Effluentsand Sludges: Their Interaction with Soils and Uptake by Plants.J. Environ. Qual. 4: 123-27.

Brady, N. C. 1974. The Nature and Properties of Soils. MacHillanPublishing, New York, 8th Edition.

Chaney, R. L. 1973. Crop and Food Chain Effects of Toxic Elementsin Sludges and Effluents. In: Recycling Municipal Sludges andEffluents on Land. Nat. Assn. of State University and LandGrant Colleges. Washington, D. C.

M7

AR000245

Environ. Protection Agency Interim Standards. Federal Register.Decmtnr 24, 1975. Section 141.11 (b).

Federal Register. Vol. 40, No. 199. October 14, 1975. NationalEmission Standard 'for Asbestos.

Garrigan, G. A. 1976. Toxic Matter in Sewages, Soils and VegetationModule 02. In: Land Application of Wastes • An EducationalProgram. Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Greenway,H. and A. Rogers. 1963. Growth and Ion Uptake of Agropyronelongatum 'on Saline Substrates. Plant and Soil, 18: 21-30.

Greenling, T. 1976. Chemical Analysis of Plant Tissue. SearchAgricultural Agronomy, 6. Cornell University. Vol. 6, No. 8.

Haghiri, F. 1974 Plant Uptake of Cadmium as Influenced by CEC, OrganicMatter, Zinc, and Soil Temperature. J, Environ. Qual., 3:180-83.

•Hitchcock, A. S. 1950. Manual of the Grasses of the United States.

USDA Pub. 1200, 2 n d E d i t i o n . I

Hunter, J. G. and 0. Ver.anano. 1952. Nickel Toxicity in Plants.Annals of App. Biology. 39: 279-284.

Jarvis, S. C., L.H.P, Jones, and C. R. Clement. 1977. Lead Uptakeand Transport by Ryegrass. Plant and Soil. 46: 371-81.

Jarvis, S. C., L.H.P. Jones, and M.J. Hopper. 1976. Cadmium Uptakefor Solution by Plants. Plant and Soil. 44: 179-193.

Lagerwerff, J. V., G. T. Biersdorf and D. L. Brower. 1976. Retenslonof Metals in Sewage Sludge I: Constituent Heavy Metals 5:19-22,

. Citing Newfeld, R. D. and B. R. Hermann. 1975. Heavy Metal Removalby Acclimated Activated Sludge, J, Wat. Poll.'Cont. Fed. 47: 310-330.

Lejcher, T. R., S. H. Kunkle. 1974. Restoration of Acid Spoil Bankswith Treated Sewage Sludge. Shawnee Nat. Forest. In: Sopper, W.L. and L. T. Kardos (eds.). Conference on Recycling TreatedMunicipal Wastewater Through Forest and Cropland. Prepared forOffice of Research and Develop. EPA. March, 1974.

Uastrom, 6. A. 1960. Forestation of Strip Mined Land in CentralStates. USDA Handbook 1166, 74 pp.

Maai, B. V. 1969. Calcium Uptake by Excised Maize Roots and Interactionswith Alkali Cations. Plant Physiol. 44:985-89.

AR0002I*6

> O| Mattson, Sante,, E. Erickson, K. Vahtrus and E. G, Williams, 1949."'" . Phosphate Relationship Between Plant and Soil. I Membrane

Equilibra and Phosphate Uptake. Ann Agric. Coll. Sweden16: 457-489.

Men, R. C. 1959. Utilization of Liquid Sludge. Wat. and SewageWorks. 106: 489-93.

Methods for Chemical Analysis for Water and Wastewater, 1975.Environ, Protect. Agency Manual,

Municipal Sewage' Treatment - A Comparison of Alternatives Prepared'for Council of Environmental Quality and EPA Office of Planning

' and Evaluation.

Page, A. L. 1974. Fate and Effects of Trace Elements in SewageSludge When Applied to Agricultural Lands. A LiteratureReview Study. Environ. Protect. Tech. Ser. El'A 670/2-74-005Environ. Protect. Agency. Clnncinnati, Ohio.

Peterson, J. R. and John Gschwind. 1972. Leachate Quality Fron -,Acidic Mine Spoil Fertilized With Liquid Digested Sewage *Sludge. J. Environ. Qual. 2: 410-12.

, Procter, J. 1970. Magnesium as a Toxic.Element. Nature. 227:A • 742-43.^O • ,

Sidle, R. C. and W. L. Sopper. 1976. Cadmium Distribution in ForestEcosystems Irrigated with Treated Municipal Wastewater and Sludge.J. Environ. Qual. S: 419-422.

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, AmericanPublic Health Association. 1976. 14th edition.

• "* Stus»,,W. and James J, Morgan. 1970. Aqvatic Chemistry. An Intro-duction Emphasizing Chemical Equilibria in Natural Waters.Wiley-Interscience, New York.

Volz, M. G. and L. Jacobson. 1977. Calcium Uptake by Vetch and Berley.Plant and Soil 46: 79-93.

Walker, R. B. 1954. The Ecology of Serpentine Soils II FactorsAffecting Plant Growth on Serpentine Soils. Ecol. 35: 259-267.

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summary of experimental research on the … normally associated with land disposal of ... plant...

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