Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #128926
Title: USE OF COAL COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCTS TO REDUCE SOIL EROSION

Author
item TISHMACK, J - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
item PETERSON, J - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
item Flanagan, Dennis

Submitted to: International Ash Utilization Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2002
Publication Date: 1/4/2002
Citation: Tishmack, J.K., Peterson, J.R., Flanagan, D.C. Use of coal combustion by-products to reduce soil erosion. International Ash Utilization Symposium. 2002. p. 11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Coal combustion by-products (CCBP) with high calcium contents, such as flue gas desulfurization (FGD) sludge and fluidized bed combustion (FBC) ash, have been used as soil amendments for improved infiltration and reduced runoff and soil erosion. Recently, two CCBP related products, i.e., a reclaimed, Class C fly ash marketed under the name Nutra-Ash and an industrial biosolids stabilized with alkaline FBC ash called SoilerLime became available. In this study we tested Nutra-Ash, SoilerLime, along with two other soil amendments: natural gypsum and turkey litter, for their effects on runoff and erosion under simulated rainfall at 70 mm/h intensity for 2 hours. The SoilerLime, Nutra-Ash, and gypsum treatments all reduced total runoff and sediment loss, but varied widely in their effectiveness at reducing final runoff rate and sediment yield. The SoilerLime was the most soluble amendment and initially released the highest concentrations of calcium and sulfur. Its solubility decreased with time, as did its effectiveness at reducing final runoff rate and sediment yield, which were comparable to that of gypsum. The effectiveness of the Nutra-Ash peaked at about 50 minutes, and then runoff rate and sediment yield increased to that of the control. This was probably due to the lower solubility of minerals in the weathered ash. Gypsum maintained a relatively constant release of calcium and sulfur. It remained effective longer and reduced both final runoff and sediment yield rates. Calcium-containing CCBP can be effective soil amendments for reducing erosion, but their effects vary depending on the solubility of their calcium containing minerals.