Degradability of tannery residues in soil

Abstract

The waste production by leather industry has been a serious problem when disposed in inappropriate way. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the tannery sludge, fur leather shavings and leather scraps when applied in the soil. So, it was elaborated an experiment with a respirometry system with different tannery residues during 157 days in greenhouse. The addition of 8.0 t ha of tannery of ETE had a decomposition of 13% of added carbon until the end of incubation. The tannery residue decomposition was lower in the treatments with the highest concentrations. The addition of mineral Cr(III) to the residues did not affect a microbial activity. The decomposition of the leather shavings and leather scraps were 7.5 and 6.4%, respectively, only with the amendment of mineral nitrogen. According with these results, the use of tannery residues can be an alternative of agricultural fertilizer when respected the concentrations added.