Effect of Organic Amendments on the Heavy Metal Distribution in Market Gardens in Senegal.

Effect of Organic Amendments on the Heavy Metal Distribution in Market Gardens in Senegal

A. Diouf¹, M. Eick¹ and F. Feder¹

 

 

¹Virginia Tech, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, 185 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061

¹LMI IESOL, Intensification Ecologique des Sols Cultivés en Afrique de l'Ouest LEMSAT, Centre IRD-ISRA-UCAD Bel Air, B.P. 1386, CP 18524, Dakar – SENEGAL

Abstract

 

 

As in many African countries, most Senegalese soils are sandy and consequently low in organic matter content. This problem of soil fertility is due to climatic variability, excessive deep tillage and the use of chemical fertilizers. Degraded and low quality soils are not fertile and thus cannot maintain sustainable production. Therefore, strategies for using organic wastes in agriculture must be developed. This can be beneficial because organic matter improves soil physico-chemical and biological properties. However, the use of organic waste as fertilizer and soil amendment may have negative impacts on the environment due to the possible presence of heavy metals (HMs). The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of organic amendments on the distribution of heavy metals in market gardens. Soil samples and organic wastes were collected from five Senegalese market garden sites and physico-chemical analysis including pH, particle size, total specific surface area, organic matter content, iron oxides, carbonate and zeta potential will be determined. Heavy metals of concern in the application of organic residues such as Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Co and Pb will also be determined via acid digestion, ICP-MS analysis and Sequential extraction procedures (SEPS).