RESEARCH RELATIVE TO LAND APPLICATION OF PULP-MILL WASTES IN ALBERTA - CONVENTIONAL AND DEINK SLUDGES ARE BOTH BENEFICIAL TO SOIL

Landspreading research involving a cooperative effort of industry, pro vincial and federal funding agencies, and the Alberta Research Council began in June 1991 The overall objective of the research is to provid e industry personnel, government regulators, and the general public wi th data that promote a reasoned and clear understanding of the implica tions/benefits of pulp mill waste landspreading on agricultural and fo rest land, and provides a basis for developing operating guidelines fo r operational landspreading activities. Process stream characterizatio n, greenhouse pot experiments, growth chamber experiments, column leac hing experiments and field vials that have been completed or are curre ntly underway indicate that the wastes can he used as soil amendments and environmentally acceptable application rates are recommended.