University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Julia Thüringer
(2020):
Effect of different agromining treatments on soil quality.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Bodenforschung (IBF),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 130.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- Serpentine soils are naturally enriched in nickel, chromium and cobalt, but deficient in essential nutrients. Furthermore, they show a low Ca:Mg ratio, organic matter content and water holding capacity. These soil properties make them unfavourable for conventional agriculture but open opportunities for new technologies. Agromining comprises the use of hyperaccumulators in combination with agronomic practices on metalliferous soils, to increase metal extraction while improving soil quality. The harvested biomass is further processed for metal recovery. A field experiment was set up on a serpentine site in Austria, to evaluate the effect of agromining on Ni-availability and soil quality, under different amendments. The Ni-hyperaccumulator Odontarrhena chalcidica (syn. Alyssum murale) was planted in six different treatments: i) control, ii) mineral fertilizer (NPK), iii) cow manure, iv) pig manure, v) compost and vi) low distance plantation (30 cm, others 50 cm). Soil samples were taken before and directly after fertilization, as well as after harvest. To assess Ni-availability, labile Sr(NO3)2-Ni and extractable DTPA-Ni pools were analyzed. Soil quality was evaluated by using physicochemical (e.g. nutrient availability and -contents) and biological parameters, including mesofauna abundance and a biological quality index (QBS-index). The DTPA-extractable Ni pool significantly declined within one vegetation period. The application of mineral fertilizer decreased enzyme activity, while organic amendments improved soil physicochemical properties and biological activity. Manure treatments increased abundance of Collembola and Acari, while biological activity was not increased in organic matter despite containing highest physicochemical soil quality. Pig manure significantly increased to a QBS-index of high quality soils. We observed no negative impact of Ni-agromining on soil organisms and suggest that application of animal manure potentially improves soil quality.
- Beurteilende(r): Puschenreiter Markus