Memoria para optar al título profesional de: Ingeniero Agrónomo Mención: Manejo de Suelo y Aguas / En el presente trabajo se evaluaron cinco sustratos como medio de propagación para paltos variedad Hass sobre portainjertos variedad Bacon. Los objetivos fueron evaluar las características físicas y químicas de los sustratos durante el desarrollo de las plantas y también, el desarrollo de las mismas en las distintas mezclas de sustratos. El diseño utilizado fue completamente al azar con 20 repeticiones, siendo la unidad experimental una planta en un contenedor de 7 litros. Mensualmente se controló la conductividad eléctrica y pH del lixiviado, largo y diámetro de las plantas, propiedades físicas y químicas de las mezclas de sustratos al inicio y término del ensayo, y parámetros morfológicos medidos en cada planta durante el desarrollo del ensayo, realizando un análisis de varianza, correlaciones y regresiones para cada y entre cada parámetro analizado. Los resultados mostraron que el tratamiento 4 (formado por compost, arena y perlita) fue el que posee las mejores condiciones físicas para la propagación de paltos, siendo el tratamiento testigo (formado por arena y corteza de pino compostada) el que mayores limitaciones tuvo en este sentido. En cuanto a las propiedades químicas todos los tratamientos presentaron buenas condiciones. Sin embargo, el tratamiento 2 presenta limitaciones de pH. Los tratamientos 1 (formado por arena, turba y compost) y testigo presentaron un mayor rendimiento en materia seca y un mayor incremento en crecimiento. Siendo el tratamiento 1 el único que logró el 100% de plantas terminadas al final del ensayo Esta memoria de título se encontró bajo el marco de la segunda etapa del proyecto FONDEF DO3I1063, “Elaboración de sustratos especializados de uso agrícola”, a partir de residuos orgánicos bioprocesados.

Urban stormwater runoff is recognised as a substantial source of heavy metal contamination, which adversely impacts on water quality of regional receiving waterways. Conventional treatment of urban runoff mostly involves a filtration system using sand to retain particulate matters. Sand provides limited sorption of dissolved metals and the inclusion of commercial sorbents to these treatment systems is not cost effective due to the concentration of dissolved metals in the runoff. Recycled organic materials are by-products or waste from industrial or agricultural operations, and could be alternative low cost sorbents for stormwater treatment systems. The use of recycled sorbents also provides added value to the waste materials and reduces landfill disposal. The research explores the application of compost, zeolite, ash, and recyclable waste in urban runoff treatment, especially for dissolved metal removal. The research combines the two aspects of experimental studies and management analysis to develop a holistic approach to heavy metal control in urban stormwater systems. Experimental results of batch sorption test show that compost is suitable for removing dissolve copper in stormwater treatment. The comparison of the different mixing ratios between compost and glass beads in column test evaluates the optimum mixing sorbent and performance over a long period for copper removal. Substance Flow Analysis (SFA) of copper has been performed in the Upper Parramatta River Catchment, Sydney to identify the sources of copper associated with runoff, effect of using waste material such as compost in urban stormwater treatment and the copper load in urban stormwater runoff. This case study shows the relationship between copper input, copper stock, sorbent type and urban stormwater quality control in the system boundary of the catchment. Different scenarios of source control are evaluated to control copper load from the different sources. Source control focusing on roads and vehicles is the most effective copper control strategy. The combination of source control and stormwater treatment reduces copper in stormwater and receiving water. The thesis applies the analysis from SFA and experimental results to derive both a regional system-wide solution with source control, and an improved design of stormwater treatment for heavy metal removal using recycled organics.

La stabilité de la structure des sols limoneux, qui dépend des teneurs et de la dynamique des matières organiques, est un des déterminants de la dégradation physique de ces sols allant de la formation de croûtes de battance aux risques d'érosion hydrique. Une grande proportion de ces sols ont des teneurs faibles en matières organiques. C'est pourquoi, les apports de matières organiques d'origine résiduaire pourraient contribuer à stabiliser leur structure et à limiter les risques d'érosion. Ce travail se propose d'évaluer les effets de trois types de composts urbains (compost de boue, de biodéchets, d'ordures ménagères résiduelles) sur la stabilité de la structure d'un sol limoneux. Le type de déchets compostés, et le degré de maturité des composts (peu stabilisés dits "immatures" bien stabilisés dits "mûrs") sont pris en compte pour interpréter les résultats observés, entre autres via leurs effets sur certaines composantes microbiennes (biomasse microbienne totale et biomasse fongique) et physico-chimiques du sol (polysaccharides, hydrophobicité) dont on sait qu'ils sont des facteurs stabilisants de la structure. Les effets des composts sur la stabilité des agrégats et sur la résistance d'un lit de semence à l'action destructive des gouttes de pluie sont mesurés en conditions contrôlées de laboratoire et au champ. Au laboratoire, des incubations de mélanges sol-compost sont menées à 2 températures (28 et 4°C) pour moduler l'activité microbienne. Les composts immatures permettent une forte stabilisation des agrégats, en liaison avec la stimulation de la microflore des sols, particulièrement la microflore fongique à faible température. Cette stimulation microbienne conduit à l'augmentation de l'hydrophobicité des agrégats, permettant une meilleure résistance au phénomène d'éclatement lors de leur humectation. L'efficacité des composts immatures augmente avec leur teneur en cellulose et en lipides. L'effet stabilisant des composts immatures diminue avec le temps, plus lentement à 4°C qu'à 28 °C en relation avec la rémanence de la matière organique facilement biodégradable de composts. L'addition des composts mûrs permet également la stabilisation des agrégats avec une efficacité moindre que les composts immatures, mais de façon plus durable dans le temps. Les 3 composts mûrs ont des effets similaires, qui seraient plutôt dûs à leur richesse en substances humifiées améliorant la cohésion des agrégats. En fin d'incubation, la stabilité des agrégats est similaire avec les composts mûrs ou immatures. L'effet des mêmes types de compost sur la stabilité de la structure dans l'horizon labouré, est mesuré au champ dans un essai de longue durée mis en place en 1998. Un effet positif des composts sur l'amélioration de la stabilité des agrégats est observé, avec cependant un rôle déterminant du facteur histoire climatique. La comparaison entre les résultats obtenus au laboratoire et ceux de l'essai au champ montre que la hiérarchie de l'efficacité des produits est respectée avec une efficacité plus importante du compost d'ordures ménagères résiduelles dont la MO est la plus biodégradable. A cette échelle d'étude on a également suivi la dégradation du lit de semence au fur et à mesure des événements pluvieux. Les composts ont permis l'atténuation de la vitesse de fermeture de la surface du sol sous des pluies de faible intensité, mais n'ont pas pu protéger le sol sous pluie orageuse.

Graduation date: 2001

Training activities on the Fort Hood Military Installation have imposed serious impacts to its grass-dominated landscape. Six decades of tracked vehicle impacts have caused soil compaction and vegetation reduction which has lead to severe surface erosion. This investigation examined two conservation practices directed at improving and creating sustainable training conditions on Fort Hood training lands, contour ripping and the application of composted dairy manure. The application of composted dairy manure may increase vegetation, while contour ripping may decrease discharge, both of which will lead to a decrease in erosion. Three small 0.30 ha watersheds were established on Fort Hood in January 2005. Each watershed had 0.46 m berms installed on all four sides with a 0.305 m H-flume and was equipped with automated storm sampling equipment. Soil samples were collected prior to any treatments, and twice after compost applications. Discharge and precipitation was collected continuously on each watershed. Stormwater samples were collected during storm events and analyzed for water quality parameters. Water quality samples, discharge and precipitation records were collected between January 2005 and July 2007. Three composted dairy manure application rates at 0, 28 and 57 m3 ha-1 were applied on watersheds C0, C1 and C2, respectively; watersheds were evaluated for effects on NO3 and soluble reactive phosphates (SRP) concentrations and loadings in storm events and on stormwater discharge. Twenty two months after the initial compost application, the two previously composted watersheds (C1 and C2) were treated with contour ripping and C2 received a second compost application. The compost application caused the spikes in NO3 and SRP concentrations and loads immediately after application. Both NO3 and SRP concentrations decreased as the number of days from application increased. Compost application did not appear to have an effect on the discharge from watersheds. Contour ripping had a significant effect on stormwater discharge. Contour ripping decreased discharge by 74 and 80% on C1 and C2, respectively when compared to the untreated control (C0).

Abstract Ammonia is a major odoriferous component in the vent gas of the fermentation process of poultry manure compost. To prevent environmental problems, it is full-scale and a lab-scale biotrickling filters (BTF) were used for treatment of ammonia in air streams. The full-scale BTF was constructed by reinforced concrete (inner size = 6 m square ¡Ñ 5 m height) with PVC plate packings (total volume =6 m square ¡Ñ 3 m height = 108 m3 , specific area = 100 m2/m3). Long-term (357 days) experimental results show that, in the conditions of gas empty-bed-retention time EBRT = 35-77 s, liquid-gas ratio L/G = 5-11 L/m3, and recirculation liquid pH = 6.5-6.8, 6.5-29.8 ppm (average 14.3 ppm) ammonia in the influent gas could be reduced to 0-2.0 ppm (average 0.66 ppm). Daily rates were supplementary water = 0.400 m3, discharge water = 0.360 m3, supplementary H3PO4 (85%) = 0.28 kg. With the average volumetric ammonia loading of 0.66 g NH3-N/m3h, the system could achieve an average nitrification efficiency of 62% without supplementary glucose. Ammonia removal efficiencies of over 90% were obtained with recirculation liquid pH¡Ø6.8, and below 22% with pH¡Ù7.33. The lab-scale BTF consisted of a set of two-stage-in-series biotrickling filters, an influent gas supply system, and a liquid recirculation system. Each stage of the biotrickling filter was constructed from a 20 cm ¡Ñ 200 cm (inside diameter ¡Ñ height) acrylic column packed with cokes (average diameter = 3.0 cm and specific area = 150 m2/m3) of 125 cm height. Experimental results indicate that a time of 30 days was required for development of biofilms for nitrification of the absorbed ammonia from the gas. Long-term (187 days) experimental results show that, in the conditions of EBRT = 7.25 s, L/G=7.7 L/m3, and liquid pH=6.65, 230 ppm ammonia in the influent gas could be reduced to 4.0 ppm. With the volumetric ammonia loading of less than 7.37 g NH3-N/m3h, the system could achieve ammonia removal and nitrification efficiencies of 98 and 94%, respectively, without supplementary glucose. However, with a loading of 13.1 g NH3-N/m3h, both decreased gradually due to a lake of carbon (glucose) source and an accumulation of nitrite and nitrate in the recirculation liquid.

Research was conducted to compare the effects of composted dairy manure and raw dairy manure alone, or in combination with supplemental inorganic fertilizer, on soil chemical properties and Coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] yield and nutritive value. Composted dairy manure was surface applied at rates of 14 (125 kg N ha-1), 29 (250 kg N ha-1) and 57 (500 kg N ha-1) Mg dry matter (DM) ha-1, and raw dairy manure was surface applied at a rate of 54 (420 kg N ha-1) Mg DM ha-1 to established bermudagrass. Selected compost and manure plots received supplemental inorganic N at rates of 56, 84 and 112 kg ha-1 cutting-1 or 112 kg ha-1 cutting-1 of supplemental N with supplemental inorganic phosphorus or potassium at rates of 112 kg P2O5 ha-1 yr-1 and 112 kg K2O ha-1 cutting-1, respectively. Composted dairy manure (29 and 57 Mg DM ha-1) or raw manure alone increased cumulative forage yields compared to the untreated check in both years of the study, but were less than those obtained using only inorganic fertilizer. Application of 56 kg N ha-1 cutting-1 or more of supplemental N to compost (29 and 57 Mg DM ha-1) or iv manure produced forage yields that were equal to or greater than those obtained using inorganic fertilizer alone. However, increasing compost rate did not increase tissue N concentrations regardless of supplemental inorganic N rate. Yield and tissue K concentrations were increased in the second growing season when supplemental inorganic K was applied to 29 Mg ha-1 of compost or 54 Mg ha-1 of raw dairy manure. No yield response was observed when supplemental inorganic P was applied to compost or manure. Soil pH and concentrations of NH4, NO3, K, Ca, Mg and Mn were increased by application of compost or manure. Soil P concentrations in the 0 to 5-cm zone exceeded 200 mg kg-1 when compost was applied at the high rate. Dairy manure compost was an effective nutrient source for bermudagrass hay production, but will require the use of supplemental N and, in some cases, K to achieve yields comparable to inorganic fertilizer.

Reproduction de : Thèse doctorat : Chimie des matériaux : Reims : 2005. / Titre provenant de l'écran titre. Bibliogr. f. 151-161.

Reproduction de : Thèse de doctorat : Chimie organique, minérale et industrielle : Poitiers : 2008. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. 204 réf.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-173). Also available via the World Wide Web.