Sougata Bardhan1, Liming Chen2, and Warren Dick1. (1) The Ohio State University-OARDC, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, (2) The Ohio State University OARDC, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691
Around 80 million tons of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) were landfilled in the United States in 2001. Most CCPs are rich in essential plant nutrients like Ca, Mg, S and B and can be used beneficially. Soilless growth media were created by mixing CCPs with organic composts (v/v). We predicted that such media would provide excellent plant growth without any harmful environmental consequences. Plant growth assays, using wheat (Triticum sativum) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), were used to evaluate the media. Media that performed the best were then analyzed for their chemical properties and nutrient concentration. Phosphorus adsorption isotherms were also determined for these same media. Environmental implications were determined by measuring the potential leaching of toxic elements such as As, Se, Cr, and Pb and harvested above-ground plant tissues and fruits were also analyzed for uptake of environmentally harmful elements. Significantly (P < 0.0001) greater growth was achieved with experimental media containing CCPs (as high as 60%, v/v) compared to a commercial media MetroMix 360 (control). Results indicate that no harmful or toxic elements were detected, in excess of regulatory guidelines, in the leachates or plant tissue samples. We conclude that CCPs can be used as readily available raw materials for creation of nursery and green house soilless plant growth media without any adverse environmental effects.
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