Effects of mussel shell addition on the chemical and biological properties of a Cambisol.
The use of a by-product of the fisheries industry (mussel shell) combined with cattle slurry was evaluated as soil amendment, with special attention to the biological component of soil. A wide number of properties related to soil quality were measured: microbial biomass, soil respiration, net N mineralization, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease and phosphomonoesterase activities. The amendments showed an enhancement of soil biological activity and a decrease of aluminium held in the cation exchange complex. No adverse effects were observed on soil properties. Given that mussel shells are produced in coastal areas as a by-product and have to be managed as a waste and the fertility constraints in the local soils due to their low pH, our research suggest that there is an opportunity for disposing a residue into the soil and improving soil fertility.
INGACAL, Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, La Coruña, Spain.
J
J
Paz-Ferreiro
D
D
Baez-Bernal
J
J
Castro Insúa
M I
MI
García Pomar
D060105:Animal Shells / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D049872:Bivalvia; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014510:Urease / Q000032:analysis; D001617:beta-Glucosidase / Q000032:analysis
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D012987:Soil; C098614:e(P4) lipoprotein, Haemophilus influenzae; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D004950:Esterases; D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D014510:Urease; D009584:Nitrogen