Ecotoxicological assessment of heavy metals in sewage sludge amended soils

Sewage sludge and its management constitute one of the most important environmental problems. The introduced the Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC advocate utilization of sewage sludge in agriculture. However, this method is limited mainly by the availability of heavy metals and pathogens. An ecotoxicological assessment of sewage sludge doses applied to soil, recommended in the Polish Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 6th February 2015 on municipial sewage sludge, was carried out. The sewage sludge was added to soil in the amounts of 3, 6, 9, and 15 Mg/ha. The produced mixtures were subjected to physicochemical and ecotoxicological tests, involving the biomass and mortality tests of Eisenia fetida earthworms. The sewage sludge had a statistically significant impact on the increase in: electrical conductivity, total exchangeable cations, organic matter content, organic carbon, nitrogen and heavy metals of the considered soil. The impact on the biomass of earthworms was different; after 7 days in the mixtures with 3 Mg/ha and 6 Mg/ha sewage sludge addition, the biomass increased approximately by 1.3-fold, in comparison to non-modified soil. At 9 Mg/ha, it reduced by 1.3-fold, whereas at 15 Mg/ha – by 16-fold, in relation to the initial value. The studies indicated that the ecotoxicological assessment of wastes may be employed as environmental safety control measure of the sewage sludge application in agriculture.

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Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge-Amended Soils

10.13031/2013.16465 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

Edmundo Robledo S. ◽

Joel Pineda P. ◽

Ranferi Maldonado T. ◽

Esteban Martínez V. ◽

Edna Álvarez S. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Amended Soils

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Heavy metals in sewage sludge amended soils determined by sequential extractions as a function of incubation time of soils

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/j.geoderma.2007.08.012 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 142 (3-4) ◽

pp. 262-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

M.J. Sánchez-Martín ◽

M. García-Delgado ◽

L.F. Lorenzo ◽

M.S. Rodríguez-Cruz ◽

M. Arienzo

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Incubation Time ◽

Sequential Extractions ◽

Amended Soils

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Fractionation, Characterization, and Speciation of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge and Sludge‐Amended Soils: A Review

Journal of Environmental Quality ◽

10.2134/jeq1984.00472425001300020001x ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 175-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 256

Author(s):

D. L. Lake ◽

P. W. W. Kirk ◽

J. N. Lester

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Amended Soils

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Influence of Dissolved Organic Matter on the Solubility of Heavy Metals in Sewage‐Sludge‐Amended Soils

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis ◽

10.1080/00103620701826787 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 39 (3-4) ◽

pp. 538-550 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

D. J. Ashworth ◽

B. J. Alloway

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Dissolved Organic Matter ◽

Amended Soils

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Changes on chemical fractions of heavy metals in Chilean soils amended with sewage sludge affected by a thermal impact

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr06063 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 619 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mónica Antilén ◽

Nadia Araya ◽

Margarita Briceno ◽

Mauricio Escudey

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Total Content ◽

Thermal Impact ◽

Amended Soils ◽

Chemical Fractions ◽

Heavy Metal Remediation ◽

Remediation Process ◽

Significant Increment

Forest fires are frequent in central-southern Chile; high temperatures may affect chemical fractions of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Mo, Cr, and Mn) naturally present in soils and those coming from sewage sludge amendment. Changes in exchangeable, sorbed, organic, carbonate, and residual heavy metals fractions, evaluated by sequential extraction, were observed after heating at 400°C in 2 amended volcanic soils. Most significant heavy metals in these samples were Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni. A significant increment in the total content of organic matter and metal ions, such as Zn and Cu, was observed in amended soils with respect to controls. In all samples, sorbed and exchangeable forms represent <10% of the total amount, while organic and carbonate fractions represent 24 and 48%, respectively. The thermal treatment of amended soil samples results in a redistribution of the organic fraction, mainly into more insoluble carbonate and residual fractions such as oxides. Finally, the thermal impact is much more important on sewage sludge amended soils if a heavy metal remediation process is considered, reducing the mobility and solubility of heavy metals supported by sewage sludge, minimising leaching and promoting accumulations in surface horizons.

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Recycling mineral nutrients to farmland via compost application

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2006.044 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 111-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Y.Y. Liu ◽

M. Ukita ◽

T. Imai ◽

T. Higuchi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Plant Uptake ◽

Nutrient Deficiency ◽

Mineral Nutrients ◽

Heavy Metal Accumulation ◽

Municipal Solid Wastes ◽

Amended Soils ◽

Compost Application ◽

Chemical Conditions

Increased cultivation of farmland has resulted in nutrient deficiency and consequently fertility degradation of soils. This research examined the application of composted wastes in terms of the feasibility and effectiveness of recycling plant essential minerals. Minerals in composts (derived from sewage sludge, livestock excrement, and municipal solid wastes, respectively) and in amended soils were observed. Ca/Mg ratios in amended soils and the effect of compost applications (mineral nutrients and heavy metals) on plant uptake were also studied. Results showed that composts, especially those made from sewage sludge and livestock excrement, were richer in mineral nutrients but also contained more heavy metals than untreated soil. The increase in some elements and plant-growth-essential Ca/Mg ratios were found in amended farmlands, implying that compost applications have made up for the nutrient deficiency and have adjusted chemical conditions of the soil. The soil contamination from heavy metals was noticeable. However, some results showed that the large existence of mineral nutrients and heavy metals in soils has caused no significant increase in the plant uptake of elements. The controlled composting process and farmland uses are believed necessary for reducing the heavy metal accumulation in agricultural plants.

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