Environmental consequences of apple waste deposition on soil

In the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur region (France), overproduction of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) can result in a significant surplus (0-230 000 Mg per year between 1986 and 1995) which has to be used or destroyed. Among th e possibilities for disposing of overproduction, land application is flexib le and inexpensive. A field study was undertaken to identify the environmen tal risks and main biogeochemical processes involved when apple waste is ap plied to farm land. Three experimental plots receiving 0, 500, or 1000 Mg o f apple ha(-1) were studied. Soil solutions were collected at three depths (0-0.3, 0.3-0.6, and 0.6-0.9 m) at different times, pH and Eh were measured , major ions, metals, and total and carbonated alkalinity were analyzed. Ra pid pH and Eh decrease (from 7.0-5.5 for the pH and from +500 to -300 mV fo r the redox potential) were observed. The soil became reduced, thus causing the dissolution of Mn. Nitrogen immobilization and denitrification resulti ng from waste application explained NO3- depletion in the soil. The formati on of organic anions complexed the metals and major cations. Finally, the o xidation of the soil during drying created conditions which polluted less, emphasizing the importance of the choice of season for land application of organic waste.