The Effect of New Zeolite Composites from Fly Ashes Mixed with Leonardite and Lignite in Enhancing Soil Organic Matter

Renata Jarosz (), Joanna Beata Kowalska, Krzysztof Gondek, Romualda Bejger, Lilla Mielnik, Altaf Hussain Lahori and Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek
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Renata Jarosz: Department of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Joanna Beata Kowalska: Institute of Soil Science, Plant Nutrition and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzka 53, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland
Krzysztof Gondek: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 21 Av., 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Romualda Bejger: Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Papieza Pawla VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Lilla Mielnik: Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Papieza Pawla VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Altaf Hussain Lahori: Department of Environmental Sciences, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Pakistan
Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 21 Av., 31-120 Krakow, Poland

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of innovative mineral–organic mixtures containing zeolite composites produced from fly ashes and lignite or leonardite on the fractional composition of soil organic matter in sandy loam soil under two-year pot experiments with maize. The fractional composition of soil organic matter (SOM) was analyzed and changes in the functional properties of soil groups were identified using the ATR-FTIR method. Changes in the content of phenolic compounds were assessed, and the potential impact of fertilizer mixtures on soil carbon stocks was investigated. The addition of these mixtures improved the stability of SOM. The application of mineral–organic mixtures significantly increased the total organic carbon (TOC) by 18% after the 2nd year of the experiment. The maximum TOC content in the soil was observed by 33% with the addition of MC3%Leo3% amendment. Nitrogen content in soil was increased by 62% with MV9%Leo6% additive, indicating increased soil fertility. The study highlighted an increase in fulvic acid carbon relative to humic acid carbon, signaling positive changes in organic matter quality. The new mineral–organic mixtures influence changes in specific functional groups (ATR-FTIR) present in the soil matrix, compared to mineral fertilization alone. The additive mixtures also contributed to an increase in soil carbon stocks, highlighting their potential for long-term improvement of soil fertility and carbon sequestration.

Keywords: carbon stocks; contaminated soil; exogenous organic matter; fertilizer mixtures; maize; soil additives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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