DISPOSAL OF STORAGE SLUDGE CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION WITH BIOCHAR APPLICATIONS AND ENSURING ITS USE IN LANDSCAPE WORKS

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the usability of waste sludge, which has been accumulating in the province of Tokat for years and causing environmental pollution, instead of high-cost plant development environments. To eliminate the harmful effects of waste storage sludge, biochars obtained from hazelnut shells or walnut pruning wastes were used. Except for the control group consisting of 100% waste storage sludge without biochar as a growing medium, media prepared by mixing 2% and 5% hazelnut or walnut biochar to the waste sludge were used. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) plant, which is used in landscape designs, was grown in prepared pots. Plants grown from seed were planted in pots, which were the subject of the experiment, when they had 2-3 leaves. While almost half of the plants in the control pots died, the mortality rate was 0 in pots with 2% walnut biochar addition, and only 11% in pots with other biochar. While biochar applications did not cause a significant change in root length and plant height, other biochar applications, except 2% walnut biochar (C2), caused some significant changes in root and herb weight, flower number and flower diameter. 5% walnut biochar (C5) caused a significant increase in root and herb weight, while both 2% (F2) and 5% (F5) hazelnut biochar caused a significant increase in flower number.