A greenhouse trial on the effects of spent mushroom compost on the microaggregate fraction of lead-zinc tailings

Jordan, Siobhan N. and Mullen, George J. and Courtney, Ronan G. (2009) A greenhouse trial on the effects of spent mushroom compost on the microaggregate fraction of lead-zinc tailings. Dynamic Plant Dynamic Soil, 3 (1). pp. 136-138.

Microsoft Word - Submitted Version Download (130kB)

Abstract

Particle size analysis was carried out on the microaggregate fraction (<53 µm) of spent mushroom compost (SMC) amended pyritic lead-zinc tailings using laser diffraction. A randomized factorial greenhouse trial of six-month duration was established using tailings originating from the surface (20 to 30 cm) of the partially vegetated 76-ha tailings management facility (TMF) in Gortmore, Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. SMC was incorporated at application rates of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 t ha-1 and Lolium perenne sown at a rate of 200 kg ha-1. Following trial dismantlement, the effects of SMC treatment on the microaggregate fraction of the tailings was investigated using optical laser diffraction on a Malvern Mastersizer 2000®. At SMC applications of 200 t ha-1 and 400 t ha-1 an increase in clay dispersion was observed as represented by low d(0.10) values, while a reduction in clay dispersion was noted at SMC applications of 50 t ha-1 and 100 t ha-1. Furthermore, microaggregate stability generally decreased with increasing SMC application as noted by a decrease in d(4,3) values. This is probably explained by the change in surface charge following SMC amendment, the low clay concentration and the mineralogy of the lead zinc-tailings, all of which did not prove favorable in the stabilization of the microaggregates present in pyritic lead-zinc tailings. Laser diffraction gave rapid, reliable and consistent results and for the most part showed a shift in particle size distribution between each SMC treatment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Laser diffraction; Micro-aggregate stability; Tailings; Spent mushroom compost
Subjects:	Science
Research Centres:	Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies
Depositing User:	Concepta Woods
Date Deposited:	07 Feb 2012 16:50
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2014 16:10
URI:	https://eprints.dkit.ie/id/eprint/109

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads