Characterization and interaction of sugarcane industry residues with soil, kaolinite and Fe-oxides

Abstract

The sugarcane industry in Brazil produce large amounts of organic wastes including vinasse and filter cake which have been applied to agricultural soil in appreciable amounts over the past two decades. This study examines the chemical characteristics of vinasse and filter cake and their interaction with soil particles. The total concentration of heavy metals found in these residues were relatively small and considered environmentally safe for land application. About 22-100% of the total concentration of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in vinasse are in water soluble forms compared to only 0.3-17% in filter cake. Elevated amounts of sulfate, chloride and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were found in the