Mineralization of the organic carbon in soils treated with tannery sludges

The objective of this work was to evaluate the mineralization of the organic carbon derived from the tannery sludge applied in increasing doses on soils with different textures, to evaluate the decomposition kinetics, as well as to learn about the impact of this residue on the soil microbial community. This knowledge will be helpful for the establishment of technical rules about the agricultural use of the tannery sludges. Incubation experiments were carried out in the laboratory for 105 days, using three soils: a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox (NVef), a Typic Hapludox (LVAd) and a Typic Quartzipsamment (RQo). Tannery sludge used in these experiments was composed of a mixture of liming sludge and the primary sludge from the wastewater treatment station, in the proportion 1: 1, with the exception of the wastewater with chromium. The doses of sludge (dry basis) added to the NVef and the LVAd soils were equivalent to 0, 6,12,24 and 36 Mg ha(-1), and 0, 3, 6,12 and 24 Mg ha(-1) were added to the RQo soil. Soil microbial activity was not inhibited, even by the highest doses, and the most intense carbon degradation occurred on the first 15 to 20 days of incubation.