US EPA

4529757 

Journal Article 

Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) Improves Pasture Growth on Sandy Soils in Western Australia 

Summers, RN; Guise, NR; Smirk, DD; Summers, KJ 

1996 

Yes 

Australian Journal of Soil Research
ISSN: 0004-9573
EISSN: 1446-568X 

CSIRO Publishing, PO Box 1139 Collingwood Vic. 3066 

34 

4 (1996) 

569. 

English 

10.1071/SR9960569 

WOS:A1996UX86400009 

Red mud (the alkaline residue from digestion of bauxite to extract alumina) reduces phosphorus leaching when applied to sandy soils. The effects of red mud amendment of pasture soils on pasture growth and uptake of heavy metals were studied. Red mud, either treated or untreated with gypsum, was applied at different rates to a clover/ryegrass hay pasture. At 40 tons/ha, red mud application increased hay production by 24% and soil pH in the top 10 cm, probably because of the liming effect. The potential of red mud as a replacement for crushed limestone soil amendments is discussed. Gypsum treatment, which reduces the pH by changing the sodium carbonate in the red mud to calcium carbonate, was not necessary at high rates because soil chemistry was sufficient for pH reduction reactions. Red mud amendment did not elevate the concentrations of heavy metals (copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, mercury, and nickel) in the soil or plant tissues. 

SOIL AMENDMENT; HEAVY METALS; PRIMARY PRODUCTION