Effects of Agricultural Practices on the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soils: Part II—Use of Sewage Sludge and Agricultural Wastes

AbstractThe study was conducted on an experiment established in the area of the former Sulphur Mine “Jeziorko.” The remediation was applied to a soil-less formation with particle size distribution of weakly loamy sand, strongly acidified and with bad sorptive properties (Corg.- 2.0 g kg−1; pHKCl- 4.3; T - 7.0 cmol(+) kg−1). In the particular treatments of the experiment the following were applied to the soil-less formation: flotation lime and NPK; lime and sewage sludge; sewage sludge; mineral wool (5 cm 50 cm−1), lime and NPK; mineral wool (5 cm 50 cm−1), lime and sewage sludge; mineral wool (500 m3ha−1), lime and NPK; mineral wool (500 m3ha−1), lime and sewage sludge. Plots prepared in that manner were then sown with a mix of grasses. The control was the soil with no amendments. The analyses of the soil material comprised assays of the numbers of particular groups of bacteria and fungi, and of their biochemical and enzymatic activities. The study revealed that all the wastes applied for the remediation caused an increase in the numbers of the bacterial groups studied (copiotrophic, oligotrophic, cellulolytic, lipolytic), as well as in the respiration activity and rate of mineralisation of cellulose. That effect was the most pronounced in the case of sewage sludge. In treatments in which sewage sludge was applied, an increase was also observed in the numbers of the studied fungi (fungi on Martin medium, cellulolytic fungi, lipolytic fungi) and in lipase activity. Whereas, the application of the remaining wastes resulted in a slight decrease in the numbers of the fungal groups under analysis. Comparing the mean annual values of the analysed biological, physical, chemical and physicochemical properties it was found that the biological properties were as sensitive, and in the case of certain tests (numbers of cellulolytic and lipolytic bacteria, rate of cellulose mineralisation) even more sensitive indicators of positive changes taking place in the remediated soil.

Download Full-text

Yield and nutrition of sunflower fertilized with sewage sludge stabilized by different processes

Revista CERES ◽

10.1590/s0034-737x2013000500012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. 683-689 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Altina Lacerda Nascimento ◽

Regynaldo Arruda Sampaio ◽

Luiz Arnaldo Fernandes ◽

Geraldo Ribeiro Zuba Junio ◽

João Paulo Carneiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Sludge Treatment ◽

Stabilization Process ◽

Sludge Stabilization ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Sunflower Crop ◽

Sewage Sludge Treatment

The different methods of sewage sludge stabilization modify their physical chemical and biological properties, altering its efficiency when applied in agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient levels in soil and the yield of sunflower fertilized with sewage sludge stabilized by different processes. The experiment was conducted in Cambisol, with the treatments: control (without fertilization), fertilization with sewage sludge solarized, composted, vermicomposted, limed and chemical fertilizer recommended for sunflower crop. The experimental design a randomized block with four replications. The different methods of sewage sludge treatment did not affect the yield; however, the application of sewage sludge, regardless the stabilization process adopted, was more effective than chemical fertilizer and the control treatment. Overall, fertilization with limed sewage sludge provided higher soil nutrients concentrations, while treatments with composted and vermicomposted sewage sludge showed higher levels of nutrients in the plant.

Download Full-text

The effect of municipal sewage sludge on properties physicochemical and microbial agricultural soil

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb13110804 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 10804

Author(s):

Naima DOUAER ◽

Abdelkader DOUAOUI ◽

Madjid MEHAIGUENE ◽

Mohamed ZOUIDI ◽

Wiem HAMZA

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Agricultural Soil ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Municipal Sewage ◽

Municipal Sewage Sludge ◽

Agricultural Field ◽

Mineral Fertilization ◽

Tomato Crop ◽

Physical Chemical

The organic matter content of sludge can improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil ensuring better cultivation and good agricultural productivity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge on the main physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. The sludge was spread in an agricultural field in Ain defla (Algeria) cultivated with a tomato crop (‘Panikra’) in four treatments: (T): soil without sewage sludge and without mineral fertilization, (B): soil with sewage sludge, (E): soil with mineral fertilization, (B + E): soil with sewage sludge and mineral fertilization. For this, several physical, chemical and microbiological properties were analyzed on the residual sludge used and the soils collected in the studied plots. The results show that the sludge used does not exhibit any toxicity and that the treatment with the sewage sludge with the fertilizer used on the agricultural soil forms a better compost for improving the physicochemical quality of the soil compared to the other treatments. The application of sewage sludge also can accelerate microbial activity by increasing the number of bacteria, fungi and azotobacter.

Download Full-text

Effects of increasing hydrophobicity on the physical-chemical and biological properties of a class A amphipathic helical peptide

The Journal of Lipid Research ◽

10.1016/s0022-2275(20)31599-6 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 42 (7) ◽

pp. 1096-1104 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Geeta Datta ◽

Manjula Chaddha ◽

Susan Hama ◽

Mohamad Navab ◽

Alan M. Fogelman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Properties ◽

Class A ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Helical Peptide

Download Full-text

Earthworms drastically change fungal and bacterial communities during vermicomposting of sewage sludge

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95099-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jorge Domínguez ◽

Manuel Aira ◽

Keith A. Crandall ◽

Marcos Pérez-Losada

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Community Composition ◽

Fungal Community ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Fungal Community Composition ◽

Earthworm Casts ◽

Composition And Structure ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

AbstractWastewater treatment plants produce hundreds of million tons of sewage sludge every year all over the world. Vermicomposting is well established worldwide and has been successful at processing sewage sludge, which can contribute to alleviate the severe environmental problems caused by its disposal. Here, we utilized 16S and ITS rRNA high-throughput sequencing to characterize bacterial and fungal community composition and structure during the gut- and cast-associated processes (GAP and CAP, respectively) of vermicomposting of sewage sludge. Bacterial and fungal communities of earthworm casts were mainly composed of microbial taxa not found in the sewage sludge; thus most of the bacterial (96%) and fungal (91%) taxa in the sewage sludge were eliminated during vermicomposting, mainly through the GAP. Upon completion of GAP and during CAP, modified microbial communities undergo a succession process leading to more diverse microbiotas than those found in sewage sludge. Consequently, bacterial and fungal community composition changed significantly during vermicomposting. Vermicomposting of sewage resulted in a stable and rich microbial community with potential biostimulant properties that may aid plant growth. Our results support the use of vermicompost derived from sewage sludge for sustainable agricultural practices, if heavy metals or other pollutants are under legislation limits or adequately treated.

Download Full-text

Nanobiotechnology: Nature-inspired silver nanoparticles towards green synthesis

Energy & Environment ◽

10.1177/0958305x21989883 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0958305X2198988

Author(s):

Nur Syakirah Rabiha Rosman ◽

Noor Aniza Harun ◽

Izwandy Idris ◽

Wan Iryani Wan Ismail

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Green Synthesis ◽

Metal Nanoparticles ◽

Current Trend ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Noble Metal Nanoparticles ◽

Current Application ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Physical And Chemical

The emergence of technology to produce nanoparticles (1 nm – 100 nm in size) has drawn significant researchers’ interests. Nanoparticles can boost the antimicrobial, catalytic, optical, and electrical conductivity properties, which cannot be achieved by their corresponding bulk. Among other noble metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attained a special emphasis in the industry due to their superior physical, chemical, and biological properties, closely linked to their shapes, sizes, and morphologies. Proper knowledge of these NPs is essential to maximise the potential of biosynthesised AgNPs in various applications while mitigating risks to humans and the environment. This paper aims to critically review the global consumption of AgNPs and compare the AgNPs synthesis between conventional methods (physical and chemical) and current trend method (biological). Related work, advantages, and drawbacks are also highlighted. Pertinently, this review extensively discusses the current application of AgNPs in various fields. Lastly, the challenges and prospects of biosynthesised AgNPs, including application safety, oxidation, and stability, commercialisation, and sustainability of resources towards a green environment, were discussed.

Download Full-text

Effect of Lignite Fly Ash on the Growth and Reproduction of Earthworm Eisenia fetida

E-Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2009/683285 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 511-517 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

S. Sarojini ◽

S. Ananthakrishnasamy ◽

G. Manimegala ◽

M. Prakash ◽

G. Gunasekaran

Keyword(s):

Fly Ash ◽

Eisenia Fetida ◽

Power Plants ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Lignite Fly Ash ◽

Agricultural Use ◽

Growth And Reproduction

Fly ash is an amorphous ferroalumino silicate, an important solid waste around thermal power plants. It creates problems leading to environmental degradation due to improper utilization or disposal. However, fly ash is a useful ameliorant that may improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and is a source of readily available plant macro and micronutrients when it is used with biosolids. Supply of nutrients from fly ash with biosolids may enhance their agricultural use. The growth and reproduction ofEisenia fetidawas studied during vermicomposting of fly ash with cowdung and pressmud in four different proportions (T1,T2,T3& T4) and one controli.e.,cow dung and pressmud alone. The growth, cocoon and hatchlings production were observed at the interval of 15 days over a period of 60 days. The maximum worm growth and reproduction was observed in bedding material alone. Next to that the T1was observed as the best mixture for vermiculture.

Download Full-text

Micro: An International Open Access Journal for All of Microscale and Nanoscale Science

Micro ◽

10.3390/micro1010001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

Eiichi Tamiya

Keyword(s):

Open Access ◽

20Th Century ◽

Special Interest ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Open Access Journal ◽

Length Scale ◽

Late 20Th Century ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Nanoscale Science

Since the late 20th century, there has been a special interest in the microscale and nanoscale research investigating and exploiting the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these length-scale systems [...]

Download Full-text