Biodiesel waste products as soil amendments : evaluation of microbial, biological, and plant toxicity.

Details

• Creators:
  Soerens, Thomas S.
• Corporate Creators:
  Mack-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Study Center (U.S.)
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Special Programs Administration ; United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Waste products (Materials)
  • Soils
  • Soil particles
  • Biodeterioration
  • Biological activity
  • Environment
  • Plant activity
  • Toxicity
  • Waste products
  • Soils
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• Publication/ Report Number:
  MBTC DOT 3025
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  Arkansas
• Edition:
  Final report; 7/1/2010-9/30/2011.
• Corporate Publisher:
  Mack-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Study Center (U.S.)
• Abstract:
  During biodiesel production, about 200 lbs of glycerol, commonly called glycerin, is produced for every 1 ton of biodiesel. As the ; biodiesel industry grows, so does the need to dispose of this waste product. While potential uses for glycerin exist, such as in food, ; industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals, surplus glycerin from large recent increases in production is disposed of by incineration. ; Application of glycerin to soil for dust control or as a beneficial soil amendment is an alternative that has advantages. This approach ; could be more carbon neutral than burning as some of the carbon may be sequestered in the soil, and also can enhance soil quality by ; increasing soil organic matter. Potential issues regarding application of glycerin to soils include its effects on soil microbial activity, ; biological systems, and plants. ; The objectives of this research project were to evaluate the toxicity and growth effects of methanol-stripped glycerol from biodiesel ; waste on microbial, biological, and plant systems in soils. Three tests were used: 1. Activated sludge respiration inhibition test; 2. ; Earthworm toxicity; and 3. Plant toxicity. ; Results of the respirometry studies suggest that there is no microbial inhibition due to the glycerol. Microbial activity was observed in a ; wide range of glycerol amounts applied to soils. In plant studies, there was inhibition of growth and germination with glycerol ; quantities above 1% by weight. Lower levels of glycerol did not appear to inhibit plant germination or growth and in fact appeared to be ; beneficial to growth. In worm assays, glycerol concentrations above 1% were fatal on contact with earthworms due the glycerol ; absorbing water and desiccating the worms. Worms survived when exposed to glycerol in lower concentrations.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  DTRT07-G-0021
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/23542/dot_23542_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.86 MB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers ; US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:eed25787f14da94630445cd0285b47686d9b0c6c78dd431f9e0bd7f5af98dcb9adcfd81c00598f30213eb99771b69cea5334301333cdc76c01392797ffd47021