Changes in Soil Chemical Elements Associated With Application of FGD-Gypsum and Poultry Litter to a Cecil Soil.

Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD-gypsum), a byproduct from coal fired electricity generators, has the potential for beneficial use in agricultural systems as a soil amendment. A study was conducted to determined the effects of FGD-gypsum on the distribution of a number of key agronomic and environmentally sensitive elements before and after rainfall simulations on on a Cecil soil growing Coastal bermudagrass at the J. Phil Campbell, Sr., Natural Resource Conservation Center near Watkinsville, GA. Little differences were found between before and after rain simulation samples. Significant effects of the FGD-gypsum and/or poultry litter were found at the 0 to 2.5 cm depth for As, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, P and Zn; at the 2.5 to 5 cm depth for Ca, Cu, and Mg; at the 5 to 7.5 cm depth for Ca, Co, Cu, Mg and Ni; and at the 7.5 to 15 cm depth for Ba and Ca. With the exception of Ca and Mg most of these were related to the presence of poultry litter.  Prelininary data on Hg concentrations indicate addition of FGD-Gypsum resulted in levels no different from background.