CHARACTERISATION OF DEBARKING RESIDUE FOR UTILIZATION ASPECTS

The total heavy metal concentrations in debarking residue were clearly lower than the maximum heavy metal concentrations in non-contaminated soil reported in literature. The total heavy metal concentrations of most of heavy metals in debarking residue agree relatively well with those in Finnish humus. However, the concentrations of Ba (120 mg kg-1; d.w.), Cr (9.7 mg kg-1; d.w.), Cu (10.0 mg kg-1; d.w.), Mn (520 mg kg-1; d.w.) and Zn (130 mg kg-1; d.w.) in the debarking residue were higher than those in the Finnish humus. These results indicate that the debarking residue is a potential fertilizer and a soil amendment agent and should be utilized instead of landfill disposal. According to results in this study we conclude that the utilization of this residue for example as a soil amendment agent material for example in industrial landfill disposal areas is recommended instead of final disposal in a landfill since it would be economically and ecologically preferable if solid industrial residues and by-products could be reused.