Disposal of grass clippings from sports turfs - effect of fertilization on gaseous emissions and pollution in leachate

Abstract

Abstract Abstract: Mowing sports turfs and grass surfaces generates waste biomass in the form of grass clippings. Biomass composting is commonly practiced generating nutrient-rich soil amendments. However, decomposing biomass can have adverse environmental effects such as gaseous emissions and nutrient leaching. This research investigated: (1) the kinetics of CO, CO2, and O2 emissions during the decomposition of grass clippings, (2) the leaching potential of organic and nitrogen compounds in the initially decomposed grass clippings. Grass clippings from the mowing of four football fields with different levels of nitrogen fertilization and agrotechnical treatments were studied over three periods characteristic of the league season. The results showed that grass clippings from sports turfs can generate up to 5 times more CO emissions compared to previous research. CO2 production and O2 consumption were relatively similar for all seasons, except for clippings from the unfertilized pitch. No significant differences in gaseous emissions were observed between variants with different levels of nitrogen fertilization and season, which can probably be explained by using turf pesticides, widely known as substances that strongly affect microbes growing in the soil. Clippings from low-fertilized or non-fertilized grass were more likely to have a higher leachability potential. Results confirm that the proper timing of fertilization and irrigation during the growing season can limit and control leaching from grass clippings.