Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review
South Africa is increasingly reliant upon coal-fired power stations for electricity generation. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains a high total content of essential plant nutrients such as phosphorus, as well as heavy metals. If the plant nutrient bio-availability in fly ash could be...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academy of Science of South Africa
2015-07-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3733 |
| _version_ | 1818993153022099456 |
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| author | Hupenyu A. Mupambwa Ernest Dube Pearson N.S. Mnkeni |
| author_facet | Hupenyu A. Mupambwa Ernest Dube Pearson N.S. Mnkeni |
| author_sort | Hupenyu A. Mupambwa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | South Africa is increasingly reliant upon coal-fired power stations for electricity generation. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains a high total content of essential plant nutrients such as phosphorus, as well as heavy metals. If the plant nutrient bio-availability in fly ash could be improved, and the toxic element content reduced, fly ash could contribute significantly as a fertiliser source in South African agriculture. In this review, we summarise up-to-date information on the soil fertility and detoxification benefits of fly ash composting, and identify information gaps in this regard. We discuss scientific studies on the potential of fly ash based composts to supply plant nutrients and to contaminate the environment. We also explore the roles of earthworms and microorganisms in improving the decomposition process, and hence the fertiliser value of fly ash composts. Although much progress has been made, further research efforts are required to optimise microbial and earthworm activity in the decomposition process, which could further enhance nutrient supply benefits and reduce toxic elements at higher fly ash incorporation rates. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T20:37:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b93f29d5fed44b689ab7f91ca54aad1c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T20:37:31Z |
| publishDate | 2015-07-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-b93f29d5fed44b689ab7f91ca54aad1c2022-12-21T19:27:12ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892015-07-011117/86610.17159/sajs.2015/201401033733Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A reviewHupenyu A. Mupambwa0Ernest Dube1Pearson N.S. Mnkeni2Department of Agronomy, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South AfricaAgricultural Research Council Small Grain Institute – Production Systems, Bethlehem, South AfricaAgricultural Research Council Small Grain Institute – Production Systems, Bethlehem, South AfricaSouth Africa is increasingly reliant upon coal-fired power stations for electricity generation. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains a high total content of essential plant nutrients such as phosphorus, as well as heavy metals. If the plant nutrient bio-availability in fly ash could be improved, and the toxic element content reduced, fly ash could contribute significantly as a fertiliser source in South African agriculture. In this review, we summarise up-to-date information on the soil fertility and detoxification benefits of fly ash composting, and identify information gaps in this regard. We discuss scientific studies on the potential of fly ash based composts to supply plant nutrients and to contaminate the environment. We also explore the roles of earthworms and microorganisms in improving the decomposition process, and hence the fertiliser value of fly ash composts. Although much progress has been made, further research efforts are required to optimise microbial and earthworm activity in the decomposition process, which could further enhance nutrient supply benefits and reduce toxic elements at higher fly ash incorporation rates.https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3733bioremediationcoal waste managementsoil fertilityheavy metalsvermicomposting |
| spellingShingle | Hupenyu A. Mupambwa Ernest Dube Pearson N.S. Mnkeni Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review South African Journal of Science bioremediation coal waste management soil fertility heavy metals vermicomposting |
| title | Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review |
| title_full | Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review |
| title_fullStr | Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review |
| title_short | Fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value – A review |
| title_sort | fly ash composting to improve fertiliser value a review |
| topic | bioremediation coal waste management soil fertility heavy metals vermicomposting |
| url | https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3733 |
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