Efficacy of using wood ash derived from wooden biomass from one regional industry partner to reduce soil acidity and add nutrients

以前的采矿活动，如矿石焙烧床和冶炼厂，对大萨德伯里城市土壤的酸度和营养物质有明显的影响，特别是在离活动最近的地方。2009年，一项土壤研究结果表明，大多数试验土壤受到中度至重度影响。影响包括生育力差，营养平衡低，保水能力有限。有趣的是，用石灰剂处理的测试土壤含有较低水平的毒性和金属，这种石灰剂旨在增加土壤中的pH值。对环境的影响导致了一些重新绿化的倡议，但没有一个包括使用木灰。利用木灰注入养分和降低土壤酸度在欧洲是一种常见的做法，尤其是在斯堪的纳维亚国家（Brunner et al., 2004）。本调查的总体目标是确定一家发电公司提供的现成木灰对温室环境中发现的树叶和土壤的功效。化学分析将被进行，如果灰烬被认为是有用的，公司将通过这一增值计划增加一个可行的副产品。

Previous mining activities such as ore roasting beds and smelters has had a noticeable impact on the acidity and nutrients in the city of Greater Sudbury's soils particularly in locations nearest to the activity. In 2009, the results of a soil study showed that the most test soils had been moderately to severely impacted. The impact included poor fertility, low nutrient balance, and limited capacity for water retention. Interestingly, test soils that were treated with a liming agent designed to augment the levels of pH within the soil contained lower levels of toxicity and metals. The environmental impact has led to several re-greening initiatives but none have included the use of wood ash. The use of wood ash to inject nutrients and reduce soil acidity is a frequent practice in Europe, most notably in the Scandinavian countries (Brunner et al., 2004).The general objective within the present investigation is to determine the efficacy of readily-available wood ash from one power generation company on foliage and soil found in a greenhouse setting. Chemical analysis will be conducted and should the ash be deemed useful, the company will have added a viable co-product through this value-added initiative.