Impact of the addition of a compound fertilizer on the dissolution of carbonate rock tablets: A column experiment

The chemical weathering dynamics of carbonate and the C cycle are strongly influenced by anthropogenic perturbations such as agricultural fertilization. In this study, two columns (a control column and a fertilizer column) with carbonate rock tablets in the bottom of each were established to explore the impact of the addition of a compound fertilizer on the dissolution of carbonate rock tablets. The impacts were assessed from hydro-chemical analyses of the leachates from the two columns and comparison of the amount of dissolution of the carbonate rock tablets. The results showed that NH4+, free CO2, HCO3-,HPO42- and COD increased in the leachate after addition of the compound fertilizer, whereas the pH decreased. The pH decrease was attributed to the release of protons from the nitrification reaction. The amount of dissolution of limestone and dolomite tablets decreased as a result of the compound fertilizer application. Furthermore, the calculated results using Phreeqci software showed that the compound fertilizer reduced the saturation index of calcite and dolomite. Thus, the impact of a compound fertilizer, especially an ammonium fertilizer, on the budget of the CO2 sink cannot be disregarded on either a regional or a global scale.

► Impact of compound fertilizer on carbonate dissolution is studied by columns.
► Compound fertilizer reduced soil pH and increased the leach of ions.
► Carbonate dissolution accelerated due to compound fertilizer application.
► Impact of fertilizer on the budget of CO2 sink cannot be disregarded.