Water Quality Implications of Using Composted Organics on Highway Rights-of-Way
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
Runoff from roadside test plots amended with three types of composted organics was compared with runoff from control plots (compacted subsoil) and plots treated with topsoil. Although one of the composts (biosolids) contained significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of N, P, K, and nine metals than the control soil or the topsoil, this compost also did a good job of retaining these potential water pollutants. As a result, Zn and P were the only soluble pollutants found in significantly higher concentrations in runoff from plots amended with biosolids than in runoff from the subsoil and topsoil plots. Concentrations of N, P, and four metals in sediment eroded from the biosolids compost also were significantly higher than in the topsoil or control soil sediment. Due in part to significantly lower runoff and erosion from the biosolids compost, however, the total masses of seven metals were significantly lower in runoff from plots treated with biosolids compost. Only total P was significantly higher in the biosolids compost runoff.
Comments
This is an ASAE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 022052.