Guam relies heavily on its underground aquifer for water sources in the northern part of the island. At the University of Guam, Soil Scientist Dr. Mohammad Golabi wanted to find out whether the application of composted organic waste to crops would have any potential adverse effects on Guam’s underground aquifer.
“We have found that on the plots where compost was applied there was less nutrient/chemical leaching below the root zones, indicating that the chance of nitrogen and phosphate reaching the groundwater was slim. This planting method protects ground water from contamination by nitrates and phosphates which are provided by compost for plant growth,” said Golabi.
NIFA supports this research through Hatch and Multistate Research Funds.
Contact: Mohammad Golabi, University of Guam.
To read the article, visit the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center 2017 Impact Report.
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