Pyritic Tailings as a Source of Plant Micronutrients in Calcareous Soils

TOZSİN G., AROL A. İ.

COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS, vol.46, no.12, pp.1473-1481, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 46 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00103624.2015.1043446
  • Journal Name: COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1473-1481
  • Keywords: column leaching test, pyritic tailings, greenhouse pot test, dry-matter yield, Calcareous soil, IRON
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Pyrite (FeS2) is usually a waste from complex sulfide ores. Yet, it may be a remediation additive for calcareous soils deficient in iron (Fe) and other micronutrients such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). In this study, leaching experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions and a 30-day pot trial (with wheat) to evaluate the effect of applying different amounts of pyritic tailings on micronutrient and heavy-metal concentrations in a calcareous soil and on crop growth (dry-matter production). The application of pyritic tailings to the calcareous soils improved the levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn, and dry-matter biomass of wheat also significantly increased. The heavy-metal contents in soil and plant were well below the permissible limit for soil and plants.