Soils for Management of Organic Wastes and Waste Waters

Foreword The practice of applying organic wastes and waste water to soils is not a recent innovation. The current intensity of study of the effects of wastes on soils has developed rather recently, however. Previous practices of disposing of wastes into water, or by stockpiling or incinerating them are no longer adequate or acceptable. Our increasing concern for the quality of our environment and the need to utilize wisely all of our resources have stimulated projects to utilize organic wastes and waste water in the production of food, feed, and fiber for the ever-increasing population of the world. Agricultural scientists, representing many areas of specialization, have played a major role in studying the fate of organic wastes applied to soils, the effects of such wastes on soils and the role of soils in the transformation processes involved. This publication is a compilation of symposium papers that were presented by scientists having a wide diversity of training and experience. The American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, and the Crop Science Society of America are proud to have been among the cosponsors of this symposium and to be the publishers of this book. Appreciation is expressed to all other cosponsors and especially to the Tennessee Valley Authority at Muscle Shoals, Alabama who acted both as a host and cosponsor of the symposium. March 1977 Marlowe D. Thorne, president American Society of Agronomy Dale N. Moss, president Crop Science Society of America Victor J. Kilmer, president Soil Science Society of America Preface This volume, Soils for Management and Utilization of Organic Wastes and Waste Waters, comprises the contributions of outstanding authorities on subjects related to landutilization and disposal of organic wastes.