Use of stillage and its impact on soil properties and groundwater

Abstract

Usually stillage presents high concentrations of nitrate, potassium and organic matter. Its utilization may change a soil's characteristics and modify its chemical properties, increasing the availability of some elements for plants. On the other hand, stillage may also promote change in physical properties of soil in two different ways: these changes can improve soil aggregation, increasing soil water infiltration capacity and, consequently, increasing leaching of ions, in such a way to contaminate the groundwater when in high concentrations, as well as to promote dispersion of soil particles, contributing for a decrease in its infiltration rate and elevation of runoff, with possible contamination of surface water. Due to the fact that there are different types of soil and stillage composition, the research results found are very variable, however, agreement exists that its application must be made according to cation exchange capacity of soil.