AGRY/NRES38500 Zinc Case Study Worksheet Due. Oct.

28, 2022

Background questions (Slides 1-12)

1. What are some sources of zinc (Zn)? (10 pts)

2. What might happen when a farmer switches to other crops such as peanuts on fields that
previously were used for peaches where zinc-amended fertilizer was added to overcome
zinc deficiencies? (10 pts)

3. What soil factors effect zinc mobility and availability? (10 pts)

4. Slides 13-24, thought questions on case study. Brief answers are sufficient as if you were
responding to questions in person during the presentation.

a. How does pH play a role in bioavailability of cationic metals such as zinc? (Slides 13) (5 pts)

b. How can the spatial variability in Zn toxicity and soil pH and Zn levels be explained? (Slide 20)
(5 pts)

c. Is the explanation of the spatial patterns plausible? Explain why or why not you think it is
possible. (Slide 21) (5 pts)

d. Can you an advance another theory to explain the spatial patterns? (Slide 22). (5 pts)
5. Calculation problem.

Show your work, state your assumptions

a. Estimate how much Zn would be deposited on the soil in g m-2 if 10 light truck tires were
piled and burned on an area 3.5 meters in diameter. State any and all assumptions you
make. (25 pts)

b. What would the Zn concentration be in the soil in g kg-1 if the ash were mixed into the
soil to a depth of 15 cm assuming the soil has a bulk density of 1.25 g cm -3? State any
assumptions you make. (25 pts)