The Beneficial Use of Biosolids from the City of Grand Rapids: A Preliminary Assessment of its Impact on Shallow Soil Water

Abstract

The project was coordinated by the NCES with technical assistance provided by the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) to evaluate the impact of applying biosolids and wood ash to forest land on shallow soil water in the unsaturated zone. The overall purpose of the project is to determine if biosolids can be used in a beneficial manner, alone, or in combination with wood ash, as part of managing the reforestation of timber land in northern Minnesota. Biosolids from the City of Grand Rapids were applied by NCES staff on research plots planted with tree seedlings in the summer of 1995. The biosolids were applied at two rates, 15 and 30 ton/acre, with and without wood ash applied at a rate of 10 ton/acre. This report presents the first year results for soil water monitoring during the summer-fall of 1995.