Technical note: nitrogen fertilization effects on the degradation of aged diesel oil in composted drilling wastes.
Hydrocarbon-contaminated wastes generated from oil and gas drilling activities may be used as a soil amendment once composted and further decomposition of residual hydrocarbons can be accomplished after the composts are applied to soils. To test if N fertilization may enhance hydrocarbon decomposition, we investigated the effects of N application on hydrocarbon degradation in different-aged composts (1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old composts, coded as 1Y, 2Y, 3Y, and 4Y composts, respectively) through a pot experiment planted with white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) seedlings. The percentage degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH, C11 to C40) in the composts without N fertilization was correlated to initial NH4+ concentrations (R = 0.99, P < 0.001). The percentage degradation of TPH was highest in the 3Y compost (41.1%) that had an initial level of 325.3 mg NH4+ -N kg(-1) and the lowest in the IY compost (9.3%) that had an initial level of 8.3 mg NH4+ -N kg(-1). The degradation of TPH was enhanced by Nfertilization in the 1Y (from 9.3 to 15.3%) and 4Y composts (from 14.3 to 22.6%) that had low initial NH4+ concentrations. Our results show that application of NH4+ -based fertilizers may enhance the degradation of TPH when initial NH4+ concentrations in the compost are low.
Choi
Woo-Jung
WJ
Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
Chang
Scott X
SX
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005308:Fertilizers; D005742:Gasoline; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007221:Industry; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028222:Picea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil; D013997:Time Factors
D005308:Fertilizers; D005742:Gasoline; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012987:Soil; D009584:Nitrogen