Effects of mussel shell addition on the chemical and biological properties of a Cambisol

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2012-03, Vol.86 (11), p.1117-1121
• Main Authors: PAZ-FERREIRO, J, BAEZ-BERNAL, D, CASTRO INSUA, J, GARCIA POMAR, M. I
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal Shells - chemistry; Animals; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins - analysis; beta-Glucosidase - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Bivalvia; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Esterases - analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Liming; Lipoproteins - analysis; Mussel shell; Nitrogen - analysis; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Oxidoreductases - analysis; Soil - chemistry; Soil biochemical properties; Soil enzymes; Soil science; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Urease - analysis
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.12.009

► Mussel shell combined with cow slurry were first evaluated as soil amendments. ► Soil pH increased after addition of mussel shell and cow slurry. ► Lower Al in the cation exchange complex in amended soils. ► Better chemical properties lead to higher values of enzyme activities. ► Mussel shell can be reused as soil amendment. The use of a by-product of the fisheries industry (mussel shell) combined with cattle slurry was evaluated as soil amendment, with special attention to the biological component of soil. A wide number of properties related to soil quality were measured: microbial biomass, soil respiration, net N mineralization, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease and phosphomonoesterase activities. The amendments showed an enhancement of soil biological activity and a decrease of aluminium held in the cation exchange complex. No adverse effects were observed on soil properties. Given that mussel shells are produced in coastal areas as a by-product and have to be managed as a waste and the fertility constraints in the local soils due to their low pH, our research suggest that there is an opportunity for disposing a residue into the soil and improving soil fertility.