Metal Salts Experiment
- Experiment Code: W/CS/439
- Experiment Site: Woburn
- Objectives: 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.
- Date Start: 1995
- Date End: Ongoing
Key Contacts
Steve McGrath
- Role: Principal Investigator
- Organisation: Rothamsted Research
- Address: West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
Funding
- The e-RA database, including the published datasets generated from it, is part of the Rothamsted Long-Term Experiments - National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (RLTE-NBRI) , which also includes the Long-Term Experiments, the Sample Archive and Rothamsted's environmental monitoring activities including the weather stations and its role in the UK Environmental Change Network.
- The RLTE-NBRI is supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Grants BBS/E/C/00005189 (2012-2017); BBS/E/C/000J0300 (2017-2022); BBS/E/RH/23NB0007 (2023-2028)).
Experimental 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.
Design
- Period: 1995 - Now
- Experiment Design Type: Randomized complete block design
- Number of Blocks: 3
- Number of Plots: 33
- Number of Harvests per Year: 1
Crops
| Crop | Years Grown |
|---|---|
| Rye Grass | |
| Spring Wheat |
Factors
Factors are the interventions or treatments which vary across the experiment.
Zinc Nutrient Exposure
Application: Whole Plot
Levels
| Level Name | Amount | Years | Frequency | Crop | Method | Chemical Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 1 | 399 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually | ||||
| Rate 2 | 845 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually | ||||
| Rate 3 | 1303 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually |
Copper Nutrient Exposure
Application: Whole Plot
Levels
| Level Name | Amount | Years | Frequency | Crop | Method | Chemical Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 1 | 205 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually | ||||
| Rate 2 | 424 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually | ||||
| Rate 3 | 593 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually |
Cadmium Exposure
Application: Whole Plot
Levels
| Level Name | Amount | Years | Frequency | Crop | Method | Chemical Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 1 | 6 kg/ha | 1995 - 1997 | annually | ||||
| Rate 2 | 9.87 | 1995 - 1997 | annually | ||||
| Rate 3 | 13.01 | 1995 - 1997 | annually |
Site: Butt Close West - Woburn
- Experiment Site: Woburn
- 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.
- Visit Permitted?: No
- Elevation: 96 Metres
- Geolocation: 52.01195, -0.597963
Soil
- Type: Arenosol
There are currently no prepared datasets online for this experiment. However,
there may still be data available but requiring curation.
For more information please contact the e-RA curators.
License
These media (images and videos) are
available under a Creative Commons
Attribution Licence (4.0) with attribution to Rothamsted Research.
Images
Key References
NO KEYREF PROVIDED
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For further information and assistance, please contact the e-RA curators, Sarah Perryman and Margaret Glendining using the e-RA email address: era@rothamsted.ac.uk