Coal Bottom Ash Application on Park Site Soil and Its Impacts on Turfgrass Growth and Soil Quality

Bottom ash (BA) has different macro- and micronutrients such as B, Mo, Fe, Ca, and Mg, providing useful resources for plant growth and soil quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of artificial top-soil treated with BA in park area as a vegetation base material, especially for turfgrass growth. Collected BA was mixed with peat moss and clay at the ratio of 70:10:20 (w/w). In order to evaluate the park quality and turfgrass growth in park area, the artificial soil was applied with BA along with the control or without BA. Result showed that exchangeable K and P were increased by $11.4mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $163mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively, compared to the control soil when the artificial soil was treated with BA. Microbial population and enzyme activity (Acid-phosphatase, APA) in artificial soil having BA also increased as 2 times and 10%, respectively, compared to the control soil. Comparing turfgrass growth and yield between general soil and artificial soil, about 2 times higher plant yield (fresh weight) was observed as artificial soil was applied comparing to general soil. Furthermore, nutrient concentration in turfgrass was averaged as 0.440% for $P_2O_5$, 0.456% for CaO, 1.198% for $K_2O$ and 0.188% for MgO that all values are higher than general soil (0.323% for $P_2O_5$, 0.416% for CaO, 0.610% for $K_2O$ and 0.173% for MgO). Application of BA can be useful for vegetation base material in park site.