CHED 1111 |
| On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, 92-ha of agricultural land was converted to native grasses to create a bird habitat. The soil is low in nutrients, organic matter, and is moderately acidic. To help aid in the restoration process, the fields have been burned annually. Soil samples were taken from 25 locations within a 13-ha field 12 days and one year after a prescribed burn. Samples were extracted with a Mehlich-3 dilute acid solution for plant available Ca and Mg and analyzed by ICP-OES. Soil organic matter (SOM) was determined by loss-on-ignition method. In the top 4 inches, SOM 1-year post burn were above pre-burn values, suggesting a build-up of ash. As a likely result of hydrolysis of soluble salts in the ash, Ca and Mg increase after the burn. A build-up of Ca and Mg occurred in the bottom 4 inches one year later. Results show that annual burns release more nutrients into the soil and become available for plant uptake in the grassland. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |