Amendment of Nutrient-deficient Alluvial Soil by Municipal Solid Waste Char and Compost for the Remediation of Contaminants and Enhancement of Plant Growth

This study evaluated the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) char and compost amendments on alluvial soil over 120 days. Results showed improved soil properties with reduced bulk density by 12%, increased porosity by 14%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 6.14-fold, 11.3% increase in pH, soil organic matter (SOC) and soil organic carbon increased by 5.49 and 2.27-fold, respectively. Nutrient levels initially rose with higher amendment doses but declined over time, staying above control levels. Heavy metal availability was lower with the application of 1% MSW char alone, while the combined application of char with compost increased exchangeable metal bioavailability. A pot study with Okra showed reduced heavy metal uptake and improved plant growth compared to the control. Overall, the combined use of MSW char and compost boosts soil health and plant growth, while MSW char alone effectively reduces heavy metal availability in soil.