Application of Fly Ash Obtained from the Incineration of Municipal Solid Waste in Agriculture

In the current context of the increase in the amount of municipal solid waste as a result of the development of urbanization, in this paper we have analyzed the impact of the use of fly ash obtained from the incineration of municipal solid waste in agriculture on the development of plants as an improver of acidic soils due to the nutrients it contains. We presented ash treatment methods to reduce the content of heavy metals and salts. Based on the studies in the literature, it was found that by adding certain concentrations of fly ash to degraded soils, the quality, porosity, and texture of the soil are improved; the yield of certain crops increases; the water retention capacity of the soil and soil aeration are improved; the density of the soil bulk; the compactness of the soil is reduced; the pH value is optimized; the electrical conductivity of the soil is increased; the crust formation is reduced; and it provides micronutrients to the soil. In the context of the circular economy, by using fly ash as an organic fertilizer in agriculture, the amount of chemical fertilizers harmful to agricultural crops is reduced, the problem of ash storage is solved, and thus it no longer pollutes the environment.

Automated summary

In this paper, we analyzed the impact of using fly ash from the incineration of municipal solid waste as an improver of acidic soils in agriculture. Methods to reduce the content of heavy metals and salts were presented. It was found that adding certain concentrations of fly ash to degraded soils improves soil quality, porosity, and texture, increases crop yield, enhances water retention capacity and soil aeration, optimizes pH value, increases electrical conductivity, reduces crust formation, and provides micronutrients to the soil. In the context of the circular economy, using fly ash as an organic fertilizer reduces the use of harmful chemical fertilizers, solves the problem of ash storage, and mitigates environmental pollution.