An industrial oily waste was applied to field plots in New York to determine loss and immobilization of waste constituents and to determine impact of waste on soil biota. Four replicate plots were established for natural controls, rototilled controls, and low, medium and high application rates. Wastes were applied 06/82, 10/82, and 06/83. In 06/83, plots that had previously received low applications received a very high application. During the study, waste was applied to test plots at seven loading rates that ranged from 0.17-0.5 kg total oil sq m or from 0.09 wt%-5.25wt% oil in soil. Waste application increased soil pH and volatile matter. Half life of total oil in field plots ranged from about 260 to 400 days. Not all of the applied oil was lost. The refractory fraction ranged from 20% to 50% of applied oil. The fraction did not appear to adversely affect soil biota. Napthalenes, alkanes and specific aromatics were lost rapidly, especially in warmer months. The half life generally was less than 30 days. Waste applications increased the concentration of several metals in the upper 15 cm of soil. Earthworms bioaccumulated Cd, K, Na and Zn. Accumulation could not be related to waste application and occurred in worms from control plots as well as those receiving waste. Earthworms did not accumulate the specific waste organics. Waste application reduced numbers and biomass of earthworms and numbers and kinds of microarthropods; however, both types of soil biota were able to recover.

"February 1985." "EPA/600/2-85/009."