Application of sugar foam to red soils in a semiarid Mediterranean environment

The study described here involved evaluating the effects that the application of one by-product (sugar foam waste) has upon red soils in the region of La Mancha (Central Spain). In view of the fact that this is a location where this type of soil abounds, this technique has been a common practice for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental earth sciences 2009-12, Vol.59 (3), p.603-611
Main Authors: GARCIA NAVARRO, F. J, AMOROS ORTIZ-VILLAJOS, J. A, SANCHEZ JIMENEZ, C. J, BRAVO MARTIN-CONSUEGRA, S, MARQUEZ CUBERO, E, JIMENEZ BALLESTA, Raimundo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Biogeosciences
Calcium carbonate
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental Science and Engineering
Exact sciences and technology
Fertility
Geochemistry
Geology
Hydrology/Water Resources
Nutrient availability
Organic matter
Original Article
Pollution, environment geology
Semiarid environments
Soil fertility
Soil pH
Soil properties
Soil quality
Soil types
Soils
Sugar
Sugar industry
Surficial geology
Terrestrial Pollution
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Summary:The study described here involved evaluating the effects that the application of one by-product (sugar foam waste) has upon red soils in the region of La Mancha (Central Spain). In view of the fact that this is a location where this type of soil abounds, this technique has been a common practice for many years. The principal goal was to investigate the impact of this approach on some of the soil properties and, secondly, on its level of fertility. As a result, this represents an investigation into the effects that this type of waste has on some soil quality parameters. The results showed that, after the addition of by-products over 25 years, sugar foam waste is of agricultural interest mainly due to the increase in organic matter concentration (about 2%) and, to a lesser extent, by increases in calcium carbonate (more than 30%) and P (four times more). The soil pH was also found to increase slightly (1.4), while the electrical conductivity almost did not change. The properties associated with these pedological qualities therefore had a positive effect by improving nutrient availability. As a result, foams arising from sugar industries have a positive effect on soil quality and the application of such foams to soils is beneficial since the need to dispose this residue is also removed.
ISSN:1866-6280
1866-6299
DOI:10.1007/s12665-009-0058-9