Experimental Investigation of Soil and Ground Water Impacts Caused by Vinasse Disposal

Abstract

The problems caused by the residual effluents of wine distilleries for alcohol production are well known. The effluent effects in soil and groundwater are being researched in an area with sugar cane culture which receives; yearly, vinasse by dispersion. Samples are being collected from the soil, the groundwater and the existing creeks in the area Four sub-areas are being monitored separately with a vinasse application of 300 m3/ha year. Experimentation periods in each area have been 0, 5, 10 and 15 years. In the unsaturated zone, samples are being collected at depths of 25, 75 and 150 cm. The chemical analyses include macro and micro nutrients, organic matter and pH. Physical analyses give the soil water retention, hydraulic conductivity and soil particle distribuition. These measurements permit the evatution of nitrogen absorption and fertility changes of the soil. A tendency for the maintenance of soil fertility can be observed but with an elevation of nitrate concentration in groundwater.