Seven-Year Results of Testing Paper Mill Residual Sludge as a Soil Ameliorant of Iron Mine Tailings

Paper mill residual solids, extracted from a settling pond in Newton Falls, NY, were tested for their efficacy as a site ameliorant. The test site was a twenty-five-year-old sand tailings, created by a former iron mining operation. Sludge was applied in trenches, as either 20% or 40% solids. Black locust, hybrid poplar, and willow seedlings were planted over the site to establish near forest-like vegetation. Seven years after establishment, overall survival is about 80%. The entrenched sludge provided increased soil moisture retention, deeper root development, increased nutrient availability and retention, and larger leaf sizes. Sludge applications resulted in greater above-ground height growth and greater root development for all species. Hybrid poplar cuttings exhibited the greatest rate of shoot development, while black locust seedlings exhibited the greatest rate of root development. The sludge application has produced a faster growing, more valuable ecosystem. This new artificial ecosystem has a greater variety of woody and herbaceous plants, higher fungi, and insects. It has a taller and more diverse vertical structure, contributing to increased wildlife habitat for at least some bird and mammal species