Toxicity of paper mill pelletized waste using germination and biomass production as bioindicators

Abstract

P. Undurraga, J. Hirzel, J. Celis, C. Pérez, and M.A. Sandoval. 2018. Toxicity of paper mill pelletized waste using germination and biomass production as bioindicators. Cien. Inv. Agr. 45(2): 147-157. The use of wood residues to produce energy and steam in the pulp and paper industry generates ash waste and sewage sludge that contain nutrients for plants as a potential fertilizer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible toxic effects of pelletized waste from the pulp and paper industry using bioindicators. Two controlled experiments were conducted with radish seeds and perennial ryegrass seeds: an experiment to determine the germination index and root growth in soil extracts incubated with pelletized waste, and a pot experiment with ryegrass seeds sown in an amended Alfisol with pelletized wastes in which aerial and root biomass production was determined. The results indicate that the Alfisol amended with pelletized waste did not exhibit any acute or sub-acute toxic effects in radish germination. None of the evaluated pellets showed evidence of deterioration in root elongation, including at a 40 Mg ha-1 dose. The highest root growth was with pellet 2, with ash and sludge at the 40 Mg ha-1 dose, which was higher than that in the control treatment (p<0.05). Seed germination was between 93.9% and 100%. The highest ryegrass aerial biomass occurred with pellets 1 and 2 (p<0.05). Pelletized waste from the paper industry exhibited neither mild nor acute effects of toxicity in both radish seed germination and aerial and root biomass production of ryegrass sown in degraded soil.

Potential Use of Paper Mill Sludge in Improving Soil Quality for Plant Growth

“…This observation suggests that PMS contains organic matter and essential nutrients that can enrich the soil. Undurraga et al reported no acute or subacute toxic effects on seed germination when PMS prepared as pellets was applied to soil [36]. In particular, there is also a concern about contamination from toxic substances in wastewater, as PMS is a solid waste generated in the wastewater treatment process.…”

Soil chemical properties and wheat production in three Andisol with applications of materials from the cellulose industry

“…In some countries, those materials are characterized by their high Na content and electrical conductivity, which may affect the plants production. However, studies made in Chile indicated that the use of by-products from the cellulose industry didn't affect the germination and growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in Alfisol soil (Undurraga et al, 2018). In Chile, the mains cellulose industry wastes are located in the south-central and south, which is coincident with the main area planted with forest.…”