Evaluation of FGD-Gypsum to Reduce Mercury, Copper, Manganese, and Arsenic In Runoff From Grasslands Fertilized with Broiler Litter.

Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD-gypsum) may have both agronomic and environmental benefits when amended to Southern Piedmont soils but there is some concern that mercury, copper, or arsenic will be released into aquatic systems via runoff.   We measured the efficacy of FGD-gypsum to reduce mercury, copper, manganese, and arsenic in runoff from grasslands fertilized with broiler litter.  Mercury levels in runoff were found to be below detection, while copper and arsenic loads in runoff from plots treated with 6 tons/ac of poultry litter decreased with the addition of FGD-gypsum. Our results indicate that FGD-gypsum can help reduce copper and arsenic losses in runoff from grasslands receiving poultry litter in the Southern Piedmont