Development of lime-based products to reduce P losses from agricultural field

窑尘作为石灰工业的副产品，其用途有限，处理成本高。格雷蒙特试图利用这种副产品的再利用，但没有有效的方法。这项研究将有助于创造一种石灰基产品，利用窑尘减少魁北克南部农业土壤中的磷(P)损失。在这项研究中，将确定四种石灰基产品和副产品减少农田排水造成的磷损失的有效性。石灰通过增强钙的吸附来减少磷的损失，从而刺激磷附着的粘土团聚体的形成。此外，石灰增加pH值，降低酸度，最终导致土壤肥力和作物产量的增加。在这方面已经进行了有限的研究，我们的目标是找到其应用的最佳条件。

Kiln dust, as a by-product of lime industry, has limited use and is costly to dispose. Graymont has tried to exploit the reuse of this by-product but no efficient approach has been launched. This research will help create a lime-based product using kiln dust for the reduction of phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural soils in southern Quebec, In this research, the effectiveness of four lime-based products and by-products for reducing phosphorus losses due to drainage from cropland will be determined. Lime reduces phosphorus loss by enhancing calcium adsorprtion therefore stimulate the form of clay aggregates to which phosphorus is attached. Furthermore, lime increases the pH, reduces acidity and ultimately leads to an increased soil fertility and crop yield. Limited research has been carried out in this area and we aim to find the optimum conditions for its application. Currently, the increased eutrophication phenomenon in Quebec Lakes is majorly associated with P losses due to the application of manure to cultivated croplands and the annual average P concentration was reported two times higher than the Quebec water quality standard. Our research will offer an efficient approach to conquering this problem. This project is very environmentally beneficial to Canada. This research will be a cooperative project between McGill University and Graymont Company. Graymont is the second largest lime producing company in North America. Our finding will help Graymont company develop a modified lime product using the by-product, Kiln dust, that could be applied to croplands to reduce P loss and eutrophication. The research will be conducted at McGill Macdonald campus and in forms of two different experiment settings simulating surface runoff and subsurface water flow. Our research group consists of one professor and one masters graduate student. Dr. Zhiming Qi, as the project lead, specializes in irrigation and drainage engineering and soil and water quality management.