Saturday, May 31, 2014

USE OF VINASSE FOR SOIL RECLAMATION AND ITS IMPACT ON ELEMENTAL LOADS IN VERTISOL SOIL AND GROUNDWATER

By MARCO ANTONIO GIRON TEJADA
Imecol S.A.
magiron@yahoo.com


KEYWORDS: Vinasse, Sugarcane, Soil,
Groundwater, Soil Reclamation.

Abstract

ASTUDYwas carried out to evaluate the contamination of soils and groundwater through the
use of vinasse in the reclamation of saline soilswith trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn and
Zn to sugarcane soils.

The soils at the experimental site were located in the flat area of Valle del Cauca,
Colombia and consisted of the Vertisols of the Galpón series characterised with a loam clay
texture and problems of salinity and sodicity.
Vinasse containing 10% total solids was applied at the rate of 1500 m3/ha. The trace
element contents in the soil increased compared to their initial values but did not reach levels
that are considered as deleterious to the soils.
Similarly, the concentration of trace elements in groundwater was not significantly
increased and remained below the threshold values according to the Colombian
Environmental Legislation.

In conclusion, in this type of soil there were no contamination problems with heavy
elements in soil and groundwater from the application of vinasse with 10% solids on the
reclamation of saline soils.

www.issct.org

Agronomy - Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 27, 2010
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