212-4 Evaluation of FGD-Gypsum to Reduce Mercury, Copper, Manganese, and Arsenic In Runoff From Grasslands Fertilized with Broiler Litter.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

Dorcas H. Franklin, Harry Schomberg, Dwight Fisher, Dinku Endale and Michael Jenkins, USDA, ARS, Watkinsville, GA

Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD-gypsum) may have both agronomic and environmental benefits when amended to Southern Piedmont soils but there is some concern that mercury, copper, or arsenic will be released into aquatic systems via runoff.   We measured the efficacy of FGD-gypsum to reduce mercury, copper, manganese, and arsenic in runoff from grasslands fertilized with broiler litter.  Mercury levels in runoff were found to be below detection, while copper and arsenic loads in runoff from plots treated with 6 tons/ac of poultry litter decreased with the addition of FGD-gypsum. Our results indicate that FGD-gypsum can help reduce copper and arsenic losses in runoff from grasslands receiving poultry litter in the Southern Piedmont

See more from this Division: ASA Section: Environmental Quality
See more from this Session: Gypsum Use: Impact On Agricultural Productivity and Soil/Water Quality