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    Removal of dissolved reactive phosphorus from municipal and dairy factory wastewater using allophanic soil : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Cheuyglintase, Sasikunya
    Many of New Zealand’s sewage treatment plants (STPs) and rural factories discharge treated or partially treated sewage, which is rich in dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), into rivers and streams. A large number of these STPs are not able to comply with the current DRP river standards because conventional treatment methods are cost-prohibitive. There is an abundance of Allophanic soils with high phosphorus (P) sorption capacities located in the central North Island of New Zealand that have potential for use as low-cost filter material for removing DRP from wastewaters. For Allophanic soil filters to be a viable treatment option, the soil, in addition to having a high P sorption capacity, should be both accessible and plentiful. The main aims of this study were to assess and improve the effectiveness of Allophanic soil filters at removing DRP from wastewaters and to evaluate the agronomic value of P-enriched soils as a P source for plant growth. It also sought to contribute to a better understanding of the feasibility and important design characteristics of fullscale soil-based treatment systems. Five quarry sites in the Waikato Region were soil sampled to identify soils with high P retention values. Only the Te Mata Quarry (TQ) soil in the, northwestern Waikato Region, had a high P retention value at or close to 100% as assessed using the standard (5 g) anion storage capacity (ASC) test. The modified (1 g) ASC test revealed P retention values of 47 – 91% for samples taken from different soil depths at TQ. All of the soil depths down to 600 cm, except for the 125 – 175 cm depth, had modified (1 g) ASC test values >58%. This indicated that the TQ soil had P sorption capacities that would potentially make it a suitable material for filtering DRP from wastewater and, therefore, it warranted further evaluation using real wastewater. Wastewater pH has a marked influence on the P sorption capacity of soil filters, with the sorption capacity expected to increase as wastewater pH is decreased, from being alkaline to acidic. The laboratory soil column experiment quantified the effect of the level of acid dosing and the type of acid used on the capacity of soils to remove P from wastewater. Columns of soil, taken from a quarry at Ohakune (OQ), and treated with wastewater adjusted to pH 5.5 removed the greatest amount of DRP. A total of 8.9 mg P/g oven-dried soil was removed at an average removal efficiency of 75%. In comparison, the soil columns treated with wastewater without pH adjustment, removed only 4.5 mg P/g oven-dried soil at the same removal efficiency of 75%. This highlights the merits of lowering wastewater pH to increase DRP removal capacity. The performance pilot-scale soil filters at the Dannevirke STP and Fonterra Te Rapa WTP were evaluated, under field conditions, for a total operational period of 440 and 376 days, respectively. Each filter contained the OQ soil and had a surface area of 1 m². The OQ soil had an overall P removal efficiency of 67% and 71% at the STP and WTP sites, respectively. The OQ soil filters at Dannevirke STP removed a total of 6.4 mg P/g oven-dried soil, while the OQ soil filters at the Fonterra Te Rapa WTP removed a total of 1.87 mg P/g ovendried soil. This discrepancy in performance was due to the difference in wastewater type and pH adjustment, initial P concentrations, and soil pretreatment (i.e. the soil used at Dannevirke was sieved). A cost/benefit analysis suggested that if the STP was 225 km from the soil source then the cost of acid dosing is about ten times greater than the cost of supplying additional soil to achieve the same amount of P removal. Therefore, it is unlikely that acid dosing will be cost competitive for most wastewater treatment sites in the central North Island of New Zealand. The wastewater treated soil (WTS) obtained from the Dannevirke STP pilotscale filter experiment was evaluated for its agronomic effectiveness in a glasshouse pot experiment. The ability of WTS to supply P for ryegrass growth (Lolium multiflorum) was compared with a soluble phosphorus source (monocalcium phosphate, MCP). The WTS was highly effective at increasing available P in the soil, as measured by the Olsen P soil test, ryegrass yield and ryegrass P uptake. The soluble fertiliser P value of WTS was estimated to be equivalent to 61% of MCP applied at the same rate. Therefore, the results show that WTS is an effective P source for plant growth and its application to soil has the potential to recycle both the soil and the P it contains.
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    Leaching and surface runoff losses of sulphur and potassium from a Tokomaru soil : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Soil Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1979) Smith, Christine M
    Sulphur and potassium surface and subsurface drainage water losses from grazed pastures on a yellow-grey earth soil, the Tokomaru silt loam, were investigated in field experiments. Runoff losses from undrained and drained pastures fertilised in spring or autumn were measured over a six week winter interval in 1976. Losses from undrained pastures were measured throughout the runoff season in 1977. In 1977, S and K leaching losses from pastures fertilised in spring or autumn, were determined by measuring tile drainage water losses and monitoring changes in soil S and K levels. An attempt was also made to relate soil S and K levels to tile drainage water losses. This field study illustrates that SO4 -S is readily leached in the Tokomaru silt loam. Losses in tile drainage waters occurred from all depths above the mole drains (i.e. 45 cm depth) during individual flow events. On average 7.5 kg dissolved S04 -S ha-1 was lost from the two non-irrigated pastures fertilised in spring. An additional 6.7 kg SO4 -S ha-1 was discharged in tile drainage waters from two irrigated pastures fertilised in spring (i.e. total 14.2 kg SO4 -S ha-1 ). Evidence indicated that SO4 -S may have bypassed the drains in water seeping beyond the fragipan. An autumn application of fertiliser S (45 kg S ha-1 ) significantly enhanced the extent of leaching. The equivalent of 10% of the applied S (4.47 ± 1.5 kg SO4 -S ha-1 ) was leached over a period of 17 weeks from July 1 to September 21. Losses occurred throughout this period. On average, 15.2 kg SO4 -S ha>-1 was discharged from the two non-irrigated pastures fertilised in autumn. An additional 3.4 kg SO4 S ha-1 was lost from the two irrigated pastures. An appreciable quantity (13.8 kg SO4 -S ha-1 ) of the fertiliser S applied in autumn but not leached in tile drainage waters, was recovered as water soluble SO4 -S, leached below the 20 cm depth (i.e. below the zone from which pasture species are likely to obtain most of their S. Over a period of six weeks in 1976, 0.9 kg SO4 -S ha-1 was lost in surface runoff from an undrained pasture fertilised (19 kg S ha-1 in superphosphate) in spring. Less SO4 -S was lost from the associated drained plot (0.2 kg SO4 -S ha-1 ). Undrained and drained plots fertilised in autumn (57 kg S ha-1 in superphosphate) lost 8% and 1.8% of the S applied (i.e. 5.5 and 0.9 kg SO4 -S ha-1 ) respectively. In 1977, on average only 0.8 kg SO4 -S ha-1 was transported in surface runoff off two undrained plots fertilised (36 kg S ha-1 in superphosphate) in spring. An average of 8.0 kg SO4 -S ha-1 was lost from two plots fertilised (55 kg solution S ha-1 ) in autumn. Hence surface runoff is an important S loss mechanism if undrained plots are fertilised in autum. Sulphur received in the rainfall over a five month interval in 1977 amounted to 3.1 kg ha-1 . From these results it was concluded that total drainage water losses from non-irrigated, drained pastures were likely to be largely offset by S received in the rain in 1977. A significant net S loss (in relation to annual pasture S requirements) will have occurred from pastures irrigated the preceding summer and/or fertilised in autumn. Sulphur fertilisation in autumn and winter is not recommended. Under the conditions likely to prevail at this time an appreciable fraction of the applied S may be lost in drainage waters. Results of this study indicate that leaching is not an important K loss process in the Tokomaru silt loam. Dissolved K leaching losses from pastures fertilised in spring or autumn averaged 4.66 and 4.05 kg K ha-1 respectively. Potassium surface runoff losses are generally of no consequence. In 1976 only 1.1 kg K ha-1 was lost from an undrained pasture fertilised (50 kg K ha-1 ) in spring, whilst 0.3 kg K ha-1 was discharged from the associated drained plot. A minimal fraction (3%) of the K applied in autumn (50 kg K ha-1 ) to an undrained plot was lost in surface runoff. Less than 1% of that applied was discharged from the associated drained plot. Throughout 1977, on average, 1.35 kg K ha-1 was discharged from undrained plots fertilised (57 kg K ha-1 ) in spring. An additional 3.75 kg K ha-1 was lost from pastures fertilised (55 kg K ha-1 ) in autumn. Rainfall K additions measured ever a five month interval in 1977 were low (total 1.4 kg K ha-1 ). However, because of the trend for K concentrations to vary on a seasonal basis it was concluded that K received in rainfall throughout 1977 was likely to largely offset total drainage water losses from undrained and drained pastures. The results indicate that K deficiencies in pasture on K retentive yellow-grey earth soils are not attributable to drainage water losses. Regression analyses showed that SO4 -S concentrations in leachate, but not SO4 -S loadings, were significantly related to water soluble soil SO4 -S levels (0-40 cm), determined at frequent intervals during the drainage season, if the quantity of water percolating through the soil is measured. No relationship was found between measured water soluble or ammonium acetate extractable soil K levels and leachate K concentrations or loadings.
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    Forms and transformations of soil manganese as affected by lime additions to a central yellow-brown earth in the Wairarapa District, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Soil Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1973) Rathakette, Pagarat
    The application of liming materials to New Zealand agricultural soils for the purpose of increasing the productivity of pastures is an important soil ameliorative treatment. Specific benefits accruing from lime additions are thought to include the improvement of soil structure and moisture retention characteristics, increased supply of essential plant nutrients, and increased activity of desirable soil microorganisms. Much attention in New Zealand has focussed on the relationship between lime addition and the resultant increased plant availability of soil Mo. The lime and/or Mo requirement of New Zealand soils have been reviewed by During (1972). Recently, however, it has been suggested (N.D. Grace, pers. comm.) that pastures on certain Wairarapa hill country soils can contain a sufficiently high content of the trace element Mn to impair the health and performance of grazing animals, particularly sheep. Such observations have been reinforced as a result of preliminary field trials indicating improved ewe fertility and growth rates of lambs following the application of lime to these soils. Further, the controlled feeding of supplemental dietary Mn to young sheep has been shown to depress their growth rate. It is well known that the addition of lime to acid soil generally results in decreased availability of soil Mn for plant uptake. However, there is very little information for New Zealand soils on the amounts and forms of native soil Mn and the types of transformations resulting from lime application. The present field experiment was initiated to investigate the chemical forms of soil Mn in a typical unlimed Wairarapa hill country soil ( Purimu silt loam ) and to follow any changes in these forms, for a period of one year, following broadcast application of several rates of lime addition. When possible, bulk herbage samples were collected and analysed in order to assess changes in Mn content resulting from lime application.
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    Understorey effects on phosphorus fertiliser response of second-rotation Pinus radiata : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2004) Ravaie, A. Arivin
    The current silvicultural regimes of Pinus radiata plantations in New Zealand with wider initial tree spacings have created the potential for increased growth of understorey vegetation. A consequence of this is that the response of P. radiata to P fertiliser is expected to be more influenced by the interaction between the P fertiliser, the tree and the understorey vegetation than was the case in the past. The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of different rates of a soluble and a sparingly-soluble P fertiliser (Triple superphosphate and Ben-Geurier phosphate rock) and weed control, and their interactions, on soil P chemistry and the growth and P uptake of 4-5-year-old second-rotation P. radiata on an Allophanic Soil (Kaweka forest) and a Pumice Soil (Kinleith forest). The results showed that the application of P fertilisers had no effect on P. radiata growth at both field trial sites two years after this treatment, although it increased radiata needle P concentration. However, at both sites, the understorey vegetation removal treatment increased tree diameter at breast height and basal area. At the highly P-deficient (Bray-2 P 4 µg g-1) Kaweka forest, the presence of understorey (bracken fern and some manuka) reduced resin-Pi and Olsen P concentrations, but at the moderate P fertility (Bray-2 P 13 µg g-1) Kinleith forest, the understorey (Himalayan honeysuckle, buddleia and some toetoe) increased Bray-2 P, resin-Pi, and Olsen P concentrations. A glasshouse study on P. radiata seedlings was conducted to test the hypothesis that when ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is grown with P. radiata, it increases radiata needle P concentration, while when broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) is grown with P. radiata, it has no effect. The acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of P. radiata was higher when radiata was grown with broom than that when it was grown with ryegrass. This is consistent with the higher P concentration in needles of radiata grown with broom than that of radiata grown with ryegrass, in the absence of P fertiliser addition. However, when P fertiliser was added (50 and 100 µg P g-1 soil) the needle P concentration of radiata grown with broom was lower than that when radiata was grown with ryegrass.