South Asian Research Journal of Biology and Applied Biosciences (SARJBAB)
Volume-7 | Issue-01
Original Research Article
Determining the Effects of Ash from Hospital Waste Incineration on the Growth of Fava Bean
Khalid Mahmood Yosif, Tawoos Mohammed Kamel Ahmed, Sameerah Faydhallah Mohammed
Published : Feb. 24, 2025
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine whether there are effects of medical waste incineration ash from hospitals in promoting the growth of fava bean plants. Samples were taken in soil (mixture) and ash in different proportions and placed in boxes according to sample numbers: 1 consisted of 1 kg of soil, sample number 2 also included 1 kg of ash, and sample number 3contained half a kilo of soil plus half a kilo of ash. Sample number 4: a quarter of soil + 3 quarters of ash; sample number 5: a quarter of ash plus three quarters of soil. Before the research was done in the Directorate of Agriculture, Kirkuk, Department of Modern Irrigation Technologies, and Water and Soil Management Division Laboratories, a quantitative analysis of medical waste ash was done to find out the amounts of different materials and compounds in the ash. The analysis revealed a percentage of 0.189% for total nitrogen, 0.087% for total phosphorus, 0.47% for total potassium, and 25.476% for organic matter. We observed normal plant growth when we planted the seeds in soil, but no growth at all when we planted them in ash. When planted in an anvil containing half a kilo of soil and half a kilo of ash, the plant grew successfully, and no seeds were formed. In the fourth treatment, which included a quarter kilo of soil and three quarters of a kilo of ash, the plant did not grow, and on the contrary, it led to the appearance of white spots on the mixture. In the fifth treatment, which included a quarter kilo of ash and three quarters of a kilo of soil, the plant did not grow, and on the contrary, it led to the appearance of blackened soil. It is concluded from the current study that contaminated and hazardous waste should be buried in relation to medical waste, and restrictions should be placed on access to the waste disposal site.