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Effects of Pelletized Sewage Sludge On Soil Properties of a Cracking Clay From Eastern Australia

Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Cotton Production, New South Wales Department of Agriculture, Australian Cotton Research Institute, PMB, Myall Vale Mail Run, Narrabri, NSW 2390, Australia

The effects of applying varying rates (0-250 g kg^-1) of pelletized mixtures of sewage sludge and other waste materials (peat and cotton "gin trash") on the soil physical and chemical properties of a cracking clay from Eastern Australia was investigated in a laboratory study. Soil properties measured were pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate-N, organic C, exchangeable cations, aggregate density, dispersion and geometric mean diameter aggregates formed after soil had been puddled and dried. In comparison with untreated soil, application of the pellets increased soil acidity, electrical conductivity, nitrate-N and organic C, and decreased exchangeable Ca and Na. Partial substitution of sewage sludge and peat with cotton "gin trash" reduced the intensity of the above changes in soil properties. Changes in soil physical properties were limited to a small decrease in soil density. Addition of pelletized sewage sludge/waste material mixtures to a cracking clay had significant short-term effects on soil chemical properties but limited effects on soil physical properties.

Key Words: Pelletized sewage sludge • peat • cotton "gin trash" • soil properties • cracking clay.

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