HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cates, R. L. Articles by Ferguson, H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Cates, R. L., Jr. Articles by Ferguson, H. Agricola Articles by Cates, R. L. Articles by Ferguson, H.

Effectiveness of By-Product Sulfuric Acid for Reclaiming Calcareous, Saline-Sodic Soils¹

ABSTRACT

Copper smelters produce H₂SO₄ during the S scrubbing process, creating a continuing supply of H₂SO₄. Oil refineries use commercial grade H₂SO₄ in alkylation units and the resultant "spent" acid is a waste product available for other purposes. A 2-year field experiment was conducted on two irrigated sites in south-central Montana to evaluate the effectiveness of H₂SO₄ for reclaiming calcareous, salinesodic soils. Treatments included increasing rates of smelter acid, and comparisons with gypsum (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O), spent acid, and feedlot cattle manure in combination with smelter acid. Reclamation effectiveness was evaluated by analysis of saturated paste pH, electrical conductivity of the saturation extract (EC_e), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values of the soil in the 0- to 15- and 0- to 20-cm depth intervals. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L) was grown both years as a biological test for reclamation.

The degree of reclamation improved with increasing acid rate. Barley dry matter yield on plots that received the highest rate of acid was more than four times that of the check the second year.

The effect of spent acid was similar to that of smelter acid. Gypsum lowered EC^e and pH vlaues more than an equivalent rate of smelter acid, but SAR and barley dry matter yield were improved similarly by both amendments. Feedlot cattle manure plus smelter acid increased barley dry matter yield 40% over smelter acid alone. We propose that this effect is due to the improved soil nutrient status when both amendments are used together.

Key Words: gypsum • spent acid • Hordeum vulgare L.

¹ Contribution of the Montana Agric. Exp. Stn., Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717. Published with the approval of the director, Montana Agric. Exp. Stn., as J. Ser. no. J-1005.

² Former Soils Graduate Student, Montana State Univ., Associate Professor of Soils, Montana Agric. Exp. Stn., Southern Agric. Res. Ctr., Route 1, Box 131, Huntley, MT 59037; and Professors of Soils, Montana State Univ.; respectively.