Metal Salts Experiment

Local identifier
W/CS/439
Years operational
1995—2019
Objective
To study the effects of zinc, copper and cadmium as metal salts on soil microbial activity.
Description
Enables the comparison of metal concentrations (zinc, copper and cadmium) at 3 rates applied as metal salts and with no additional organic matter. Periodic soil and plant samples are available in the Rothamsted Sample Archive. This experiment is part of a network of 3 sites across the UK and can also be compared with related Contaminated Sludge Cake Experiment and Metal Amended Liquid Sludge Experiment, also at Woburn.
Data Access Statement
Available to any researcher on request
Data license
CC BY
Data policy
Yes (not online)
Organizations
Rothamsted Research
research organisation
Woburn Experimental Farm
experimental research station
Person
Prof. Steve McGrath
principal investigator
Rothamsted Research
Sustainable Agricultural Sciences

Site: Butt Close West

Type
research station field
Location
Husborne Crawley
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Geographic location
52.01195, -0.597963
+−
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Elevation
96 Metres
Visits permitted?
No
Management
Cultivations were carried out annually to ensure that the metal salts were evenly incorporated in the top 0-25cm and to encourage organic matter breakdown of the sludge cakes. The soil pH was maintained at 6.5.
Soil type
arenosol
Climatic type
temperate oceanic climate

Design period: (1995—)

Design Type
Randomized complete block design
Description
Plots measure 1.5 x 3.5m
Design description
Each plot received only one of the three metal amendments for 3 years between 1995 and 1997. In addition to the 9 treated plots there were two untreated control plots.
Number of blocks
3
Number of plots
33
Number of harvests per year
1
Crops
CropYears grown
rye grass
spring wheat
Factors
Factor name
Factor levels
zinc nutrient exposure
Plot application: Whole plot
Rate 1  (399 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
Rate 2  (845 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
Rate 3  (1303 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
copper nutrient exposure
Plot application: Whole plot
Rate 1  (205 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
Rate 2  (424 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
Rate 3  (593 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
cadmium exposure
Plot application: Whole plot
Rate 1  (6 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
Rate 2  (9.87 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually
Rate 3  (13.01 kg/ha)
1995—1997
Application frequency: annually

Related publications

  • Chaudri, A. , McGrath, S. , Gibbs, P. , Chambers, B. , Carlton-Smith, C. , Bacon, J. , Campbell, C. and Aitken, M. (2008) "Population size of indigenous Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii in long-term field experiments with sewage sludge cake, metal-amended liquid sludge or metal salts: Effects of zinc, copper and cadmium", Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 40, 1670-1680