Leaching of nitrogen forms, cations, and metals as influenced by compost amendment to a candler fine sand

Leachability of nitrogen forms, cations, and metals was evaluated in an ent isol amended with compost. In this study, sugarcane filter cake (SF) and mu nicipal solid waste plus biosolids (MSW + BSD) compost were applied to a Ca ndler fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartzipsamments) at rates eq uivalent to 200 kg N ha(-1) (on air-dry weight basis) and intermittently le ached with deionized water in 220 mL fractions for a total of 1,760 mL. The concentrations of NO3-N in leachate were below 10 mg L-1 (maximum contamin ant limit of NO3-N; drinking water quality standards) for both compost sour ces. Leaching of most elements was greater from the soil amended with SF as compared to that with MSW + BSD. The highest concentrations of most elemen ts. (except P, Fe and Al) were observed in the second or third leachate fra ctions. The cumulative amount of NO3-N recovered in 1760 mL leachate accoun ted for 2.9 and 2.7% of total N applied using. SF and MSW + BSD, respective ly.