Utilizing Marble Waste for Soil Acidity Correction in Colombian Caribbean Agriculture: A Sustainability Assessment

Johnny Oliver Corcho Puche, Brian William Bodah, Karen Esther Muñoz Salas, Hugo Hernández Palma, Suzi Huff Theodoro, Alcindo Neckel (), Andrea Liliana Moreno-Ríos, Giana Mores, Caliane Christie Oliveira de Almeida Silva, Leila Dal Moro, Grace Tibério Cardoso and Claudete Gindri Ramos
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Johnny Oliver Corcho Puche: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
Brian William Bodah: Thaines and Bodah Center for Education and Development, Othello, WA 99344, USA
Karen Esther Muñoz Salas: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
Hugo Hernández Palma: Industrial Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Corporación Universitaria Iberoamericana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
Suzi Huff Theodoro: Postgraduate Program in Environment and Rural Development, University of Brasilia—UnB, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Alcindo Neckel: ATITUS Educação, Passo Fundo 99070-220, Brazil
Andrea Liliana Moreno-Ríos: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
Giana Mores: ATITUS Educação, Passo Fundo 99070-220, Brazil
Caliane Christie Oliveira de Almeida Silva: ATITUS Educação, Passo Fundo 99070-220, Brazil
Leila Dal Moro: ATITUS Educação, Passo Fundo 99070-220, Brazil
Grace Tibério Cardoso: ATITUS Educação, Passo Fundo 99070-220, Brazil
Claudete Gindri Ramos: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: Agricultural industrial waste has demonstrated potential as a soil acidity corrector and fertilizer, in addition to reducing environmental impacts caused by inadequate waste disposal. Ornamental rock waste is a sustainable alternative as it contains essential elements for plant growth. (1) Background: this study aims to evaluate using marble waste in SENA and the Gallo Crudo Quarry in Colombia as an acidity mitigator in soils cultivated with maize ( Zea mays ) in a greenhouse. (2) Method: four treatments were applied: T0: without marble dust—MD; three doses of MD (T1: 1.1 Mg of MD ha −1 ; T2: 2.2 Mg of MD ha −1 ; and T3: 3.3 Mg of MD ha −1 ). After 70 days, soil fertility analyses were carried out. (3) Results: The results show that the chemical properties of the soil improved with all treatments, mainly with T2, influencing the calcium (Ca), carbon (C), sulfur (S), and magnesium (Mg) contents. MD’s pH and Al + H values were higher than conventional treatments. The T2 treatment reduced soil acidity from 0.2 cmol + kg −1 to 0.0 cmol + kg −1 and increased pH to 7.91 compared to the control (5.4). The maize plants in the T2 treatment developed better, indicating that the dose of 2.2 Mg of MD ha −1 can replace commercial limestone. (4) Conclusions: This agroecological technique is an innovative alternative in Colombia, replicable in areas with ornamental rock reserves, benefiting the agricultural economy and contributing to target the Sustainable Development Goals, which promote sustainability, responsible management of natural resources, and a reduction in environmental impacts.

Keywords: soil acidity correction; marble dust; maize cultivation; sustainability management; agribusiness management; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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