Production and carrying capacity for the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris in culture

Approximately 8 h were required at 25°C for food to pass from mouth to anus in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Gut load per unit transit appeared inversely related to nitrogen content; values of about 2 and 44 mg dry castings per 100mg dry worm were obtained with activated sludge and mineral soil, respectively. Production of biomass was greater in a substrate of activated sludge and loam relative to activated sludge and cellulose, despite higher concentrations of nitrogen in the latter. Optimum population density was about 8 earthworms (31 g live wt) in 1000cm³ 2:1 sludge:soil. Growth occurred at a maximum rate between 15 and 25°C. A yield of approximately 4% biomass (dry wt) was obtained on a mixture of activated sludge and loam, based on the content of organic matter present.     

Solution 31Phosphorus Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Acid-Extractable Phosphates in Animal Feces

Characterizing phosphates in animal fecal and manure samples is of interest to environmental-monitoring research efforts. Acid extraction removes relatively mobile phosphates from samples, offering a better indicator of the mobility of phosphates in environment, but acidic extracts impose challenges to the solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR) spectroscopy, which is commonly used for analyzing phosphates in environmental samples. Acid-extractable metals precipitate phosphates in the alkaline condition under which solution ³¹P NMR experiment runs, blurring the spectrum for adequate analysis. We found that neutralizing acid extracts with 0.5 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) plus 50 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) before freeze drying eliminated the chemical interferences otherwise observed. The resulting ³¹P NMR spectra can be used to quantify acid-soluble phytate and other phosphates in animal fecal and manure samples. The improvement in detection will support efforts to investigate the mobility of phosphates in feces and manures used as land amendments.     

Evaluation of the factors affecting direct polarization solid state 31P-NMR spectroscopy of bulk soils

³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy on bulk soils is a powerful tool for the identification of the different phosphorus forms in soils and for the evaluation of the dynamics of soil P. Up to now the majority of the papers dealt with liquid state ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy on soluble soil organic substances. Only few papers were addressed to the study of the different phosphorus forms directly in bulk soils. In the present paper, some organic and inorganic phosphates of known structures, which are likely to be present in soil systems, were studied by direct polarization (DP) magic angle spinning (MAS) ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy in order to understand the electronic factors responsible for chemical shifts of the phosphorus (P) nucleus and to serve as guidelines to assign P resonances in soil spectra. Number of hydrating water molecules, type of counter‐cation, degree of covalence, and spatial conformation of P in phosphate structures were found to affect signal positions in ³¹P‐NMR spectra. Both hydrating water and increase in degree of covalence of the X‐O‐P bonds (X=H, Na) enhanced the electronic density (E_D) around P, thereby producing up‐field shifts in ³¹P‐NMR spectra. The exchange of the Na⁺ counter‐cation with NH₄⁺ resulted in an increase of the cation potential (P_C) that is a measure of the cation polarizing power, and induced a down‐field shift of P signals, due to a corresponding reduction in E_D around the P nucleus. Both NMR down‐ and up‐field shifts were observed in organic phosphates, and were dependent on the spatial orientation of the phosphate groups that may have been fixed anisotropically in the solid state. Based on the factors that influence P chemical shifts for standard phosphates, attempts to assign ³¹P‐NMR signals in the spectra of five different unperturbed bulk soils were made.     

Nature and distribution of soil phosphorus as revealed by a sequential extraction method followed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance analysis

Soil samples from long-term plots annually fertilized with superphosphate since 1952 and also unfertilized (control) plots of an irrigated and intensively grazed pasture in Canterbury, New Zealand, were subjected to a sequential extraction procedure followed by ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the soil phosphorus (P) forms present. Overall, 80% of the total organic P (as determined by ignition) was removed from the soil by the sequential extraction procedure. Most of the organic P (90%) detected by NMR was in the monoester fraction. Small quantities of diester and pyrophosphate were also found. Choline phosphate constituted a significant proportion (18–25%) of the monoester P in the acetylacetone and 0.5 M NaOH extracts. Long-term superphosphate additions resulted in almost all of the P accumulated in the monoester P fraction (up to 99%).     

Particle size fractionation and metal distribution in sewage sludges

A sequential step filtration technique has been used to investigate the different particle size fractions of suspended solids in several raw, activated and digested sewage sludge samples. Liquid sludge was passed through filters with progressively smaller pore sizes, from 100 µm down to 0.2 µm. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn associated with each particle size fraction were also determined. The particle size distributions indicated that there was a greater proportion of larger particles in the raw and activated sludges than in the digested sludges. Generally in activated sludge the metals tended to be associated with the large particles of > 100 µm, whereas in raw and particularly digested sludges the metals were found in the smaller particle size fractions from 20 µm, down to 2.5 µm. Calculating specific associations in terms of mg kg^?1 the 8 to 20 µm range appears important in complexing metals. This was especially evident when comparing the sludges from the same treatment works. Generally distributions were more widespread when results were expressed as mg kg^?1 as opposed to mg L^?1.     

Distribution of Metal Extractable Fractions during Anaerobic Sludge Treatment in Southern Spain WWTPs

A new European Union legislation on sludge treatment isbeing introduced that will replace the one currently in force.The control of heavy metals is an important aspect of this newlegislation. The most common methodology to examine the metalcontent of sludges is determination of total metal contentafter total or pseudo total digestion of the sludge samples.Nevertheless, this kind of analysis is not informative on theavailability or mobility of the metals; a metal speciationanalysis is therefore required. In this study, sludge samplesfrom conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plants(WWTP) were collected at different stages of an anaerobicsludge treatment process. In these samples, the total metalcontent and the distribution of metal species were determined(Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn) followinga protocol of sequential extraction. Only 14% of the metalwas present in readily available forms in the treated sludges.In composted sludges, this value dropped to 6%.     

Phosphorus in sequentially extracted fen peat soils: A K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy study

The speciation of phosphorus (P) in native and degraded peat soils is an analytical challenge, and synchrotron‐based P K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) is a suitable method to gain information on P species in soils and organic materials. The objective of the present study was to test if P K‐edge XANES reflected differences in P fractions in fen peat due to sequential extraction and peat degradation. We investigated each one top‐ and subsoil sample of a Fibric Histosol, which differed in the degree of humification (H8 vs. H5) and concentration of total P (P_t) (1944 mg kg^–1 vs. 436 mg kg^–1). In the topsoil, residual P, H₂SO₄‐P, and NaOH‐P accounted for roughly the same proportions of P_t (≈30%). In the subsoil, residual P (64% of P_t) was more abundant than NaOH‐P (21% of P_t) and H₂SO₄‐P (10% of P_t). Among many different P reference standards, the P XANES spectra reflected differences in mineral P more distinctive than in organic P compounds. Phosphorus XANES spectra of the residues after each sequential extraction step all showed a prominent white‐line peak at around 2152 eV. Stepwise removal of resin‐P, NaHCO₃‐P, and NaOH‐P were reflected mainly by the peak intensity but scarcely by distinct spectral features. Extraction with H₂SO₄ led to the disappearance of spectral features of Ca and Mg phosphates which is a first direct hint to these compounds in the peat. In conclusion, a combined sequential fractionation and spectroscopic (³¹P NMR, P K‐ and L‐edge XANES with linear‐combination fits) approach is proposed to overcome limitations of the present study and gain more insight into the P species in peat soils.     

Sewage sludges in Hawaii: Chemical composition and reactions with soils and plants

Sewage sludges from six wastewater treatment plants in Hawaii were periodically sampled to determine the seasonal variation of their elemental composition. The Sand Island and Honouliuli treatment plants produced primary sludges averaging 1.6% and 2.0% total N, respectively. The Kailua, Kaneohe, Waimanalo, and Waianae treatment plants produced secondary sludges averaging 5.4, 5.1, 6.1, and 3.5% N, respectively. All the sludges tested were virtually devoid of K with concentration ranging from 0.01 to 0.15%, which was less than half of the 0.30% K considered typical for a US sewage sludge. Mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn in the Hawaii sludges were 5.9, 373, 12343, 218, 36.7, and 817 mg kg^?1, respectively, which were within the norms for sludge heavy metals as reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Seasonal variations in elemental concentration were small and only statistically significant for Ca and Zn. Sludges from the three treatment plants with highest annual production (Sand Island, Honouliuli, and Kailua) were then mixed at 5, 50, and 250 g kg^?1 with three representative tropical soils (a Mollisol, and Oxisol, and an Ultisol) to study sludge-soil reactions and plant responses. Soil-solution data indicated that chemical properties of a sludge-soil mixture depended not only on the soil, sludge, and its application rate, but also on sludge-soil interactions. At an agricultural rate of 5 g kg^?1 (10 Mg ha^?1), the anaerobically digested Kailua sludge increased corn (Zea mays L.) biomass, whereas the two undigested sludges reduced it. At higher rates, Mn phytotoxicity resulted from sludge applications to the Mollisol and Oxisol, both of which contained reducible Mn nodules. Significant growth reductions would be expected when corn seedlings contained ≥200 mg Mn kg^?1 or ≤0.30 % Ca; and, adequate supplies of Ca and Zn seemed to lessen Mn phytotoxicity.     

Identification of RNA Hydrolysis Products in NaOH-EDTA Extracts using 31P NMR Spectroscopy

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is the most abundant form of organic phosphorus (P) in plant and microbial biomass and is therefore expected to be present in materials such as soils, sediments, composts, and manures. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR) spectroscopy is increasingly used to characterize organic P in these materials, usually following extraction into a mixture of sodium hydroxide and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (NaOH-EDTA). Under these alkaline conditions, RNA is hydrolysed, providing a distinctive pattern or “fingerprint” in the ³¹P NMR spectrum. Complete assignment of the eight ribonucleotides produced was achieved using a spiking approach. The near coincidence in chemical shift of β-glycerophosphate and two of the ribonucleotide peaks complicates quantification of RNA concentrations when phospholipids are also present, but an approach based on quantifying signal in the most well-separated ribonucleotide peaks is suggested.     

Transformations of phosphorus during incubation of beech leaf litter in the presence of oxides

Some minerals have large PO₄^3? sorption capacities. However, we do not know how these mineral phases influence the speciation of organic P when organic matter decomposes. To characterize the interactions between mineral phases and organic P species, we incubated mixtures of beech leaf litter and Fe oxide, Al hydroxide, birnessite, and quartz sand. The samples were extracted with NaOH-NaF and analysed by ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Phosphate mono-and diesters gave the most prominent signls in the ³¹P NMR spectra. During incubation, the proportion of the monoester P decreased, whereas that of the diester P increased. Since NMR intensities assigned to teichoic acids increased, it seems that microbial P accumulated during incubation. The synthesis of microbial compounds was strongest in the presence of Fe oxide. All mineral phases investigated gave rise to a resonance in the ³¹P NMR spectra which was not present in the control treatment to which the mineral phases had not been added. The resonance was tentatively assigned to sugar diesters, which probably originated from organo-mineral interactions.     

Characterization of Soil Phosphorus in Differently Managed Clay Soil by Chemical Extraction Methods and 31P NMR Spectroscopy

Changes in land use alter the natural cycling of phosphorus (P) in soil. Understanding the chemical nature of these changes is important when developing sustainable management practices for cultivated soils. In this study, we evaluated the ability of commonly used laboratory methods to characterize land use–induced changes in various P pools. Also, the characteristics of soil P revealed by different methods are discussed. Soil samples were taken from three differently managed field plots of the same clay soil: uncultivated grassland and organic and conventional crop rotations. Soil P reserves were characterized using Chang and Jackson and Hedley sequential fractionation procedures and by sodium hydroxide (NaOH)–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extraction followed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Both of the tested fractionation methods identified differences in the P pools and provided evidence regarding land use–induced changes. However, the ³¹P NMR analysis suggests that the quality of organic P in this soil was not affected by the change in land use.     

Soil phosphorus dynamics and phytoavailability from sewage sludge at different stages in a treatment stream

The effect of different stages of sewage sludge treatment on phosphorus (P) dynamics in amended soils was determined using samples of undigested liquid (UL), anaerobically digested liquid (AD) and dewatered anaerobically digested (DC) sludge. Sludges were taken from three points in the same treatment stream and applied to a sandy loam soil in field-based mesocosms at 4, 8 and 16 t ha⁻¹ dry solids. Mesocosms were sown with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Melle), and the sward was harvested after 35 and 70 days to determine yield and foliar P concentration. Soils were also sampled during this period to measure P transformations and the activities of acid phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase. Data show that the AD amended soils had the greatest plant-available and foliar P content up to the second harvest, but the UL amended soils had the greatest enzyme activity. Characterisation of control and 16 t ha⁻¹ soils and sludge using solution ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy after NaOH–EDTA extraction revealed that P was predominantly in the inorganic pool in all three sludge samples, with the highest proportion (of the total extracted P) as inorganic P in the anaerobically digested liquid sludge. After sludge incorporation, P was immobilised to organic species. The majority of organic P was in monoester-P forms, while the remainder of organic P (diester P and phosphonate P) was more susceptible to transformations through time and showed variation with sludge type. These results show that application of sewage sludge at rates as low as 4 t ha⁻¹ can have a significant nutritional benefit to ryegrass over an initial 35-day growth and subsequent 35-day re-growth periods. Differences in P transformation, and hence nutritional benefit, between sludge types were evident throughout the experiment. Thus, differences in sludge treatment process alter the edaphic mineralisation characteristics of biosolids derived from the same source material.     

Characterization of Phosphorus in Sewage Sludge from Different Sources by 31Phosphorus Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

To investigate the distribution and dynamics of phosphorus (P) in soils for environmental protection and agronomical usage, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P NMR) was used to characterize the contents and chemical properties of P in sewage sludge from 13 wastewater treatment plants in Shanghai. The samples were extracted with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) / 0.05 M sodium ethylenediamietetraacetic acid (Na₂EDTA) in ratio of 1:20 (w/v). Total P recovery in the extract ranged from 91 to 116% when compared to traditional chemical methods. The dominant forms of P in all samples were inorganic orthophosphates and orthophosphates monoesters. Orthophosphate diesters and pyrophosphates were present in only two and four samples, respectively. This study provides detailed information on the distribution, contents, and chemical properties of P in sewage sludge that may be of value in the utilization of sewage sludge for agronomic purposes.     

Einfluss eisenhaltiger Klärschlämme auf Kenngrößen der P‐Verfügbarkeit in Ackerböden

Influence of iron content in sewage sludges on parameters of phosphate availability in arable soils The use of iron salts for the P elimination in sewage plants is widely used. But it is not clear whether the P availability in arable soils is negatively influenced by iron compounds or not. The aim of the investigations was, therefore, to study the influence of two sewage sludges with a high and a low Fe content respectively on P sorption and phosphate concentration (P_i) in the soil solution after application of CaHPO₄ or sewage sludge to 5 loamy and 4 sandy soils (pot experiments and 1 silty loam (field experiment)). Soils were analyzed 1, 6, and 13 months after P application. Sludge Gö contained 12 kg P and 65 kg Fe (t DM)^—1 (P : Fe = 1 : 5.4) and sludge Sh 25 kg P and 39 kg Fe (t DM)^—1 (P : Fe = 1 : 1.5). The basic P application was 60 kg P ha^—1 (= 30 mg P (kg soil)^—1 in the pot experiment, as sludge or as CaHPO₄). P uptake by maize was determined in a separate pot experiment with a loamy soil and the same P application rate. The P sorption capacity remained similar in all soils after application of sludge Sh (P : Fe = 1:1.5) compared with soils without sludge, however, after application of sludge Gö the P sorption increased by 16% (0—59%). After application of sludge Sh the mean P_i concentration increased in loamy soils by 34% and in sandy soils by 15%. On the other hand the P_i concentration decreased after applying sludge Gö by 13% and 36% as compared to the controls of the respective soils. In the field experiment the P_i concentration of plots with a high P level (50 mg lactate soluble P (kg soil)^—1) was also significantly decreased after application of 10 t sludge Gö (126 kg P ha^—1) in comparison with triple phosphate. One month after the application of increasing amounts of sludge Gö (5, 10, 15 t DM ha^—1) both the concentration of oxalate‐soluble Fe in the soil and the P sorption were increased. The elevated relationship between these two parameters was highly significant (r² = 0.6 — 0.97). Plant uptake of P was less after application of sludge Gö than after application of sludge Sh and much less than P uptake from CaHPO₄. Sewage sludges with a P : Fe ratio of 1 : 5 should not be recommended for agricultural use, as the P availability is significantly reduced. Iron salts should not be used for conditioning of sludges.     

Sequential fractionation and plant availability of heavy metals as affected by sewage sludge applications to soil

Abstract

The effect of sewage sludge applications on extractability and uptake by chard and lettuce of soil cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), leaf (Pb), and zinc (Zn) was investigated. Ten different treatments (0, 150, 300, and 500 kg N ha^‐1) as mineral fertilizer, and 400, 800, and 1,200 kg N ha^‐1 of aerobically and anaerobically‐digested sewage sludges were applied annually to a sandy‐loam soil since 1984. Seven years after the start of the treatments, higher levels of heavy metals were detected in the soil, depending on the type of metal, depth of sampling, type of sludge used, and, especially, rate of application. Following a sequential extraction procedure incorporating 0.1M CaCl₂, 0.5M NaOH, and 0.05M Na₂EDTA, most of the heavy metals in soil were detected in the Na₂EDTA solution and the residual fractions. Large amounts of Cd appeared to be extracted by CaCl₂, whereas substantial amounts of Cu and Ni were isolated by NaOH. The effect of treatments on the percentages of the metals found in each fraction depended on the type of metal, sampling depth, sludge used, and application rate. No significant increases were found in the heavy metal contents of chard and lettuce leaves, but some of the treatments resulted in a significant decrease of Cd and Cr levels in lettuce leaves.     

Physicochemical requirements in the environment of the earthworm Eisenia foetida

Survival and/or growth were used to assess optimum and potentially deleterious physico-chemical conditions in the environment of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Maximum weight was gained between 20 and 29°C with horse manure or activated sludge as food. Maximum weight gain as a function of moisture in activated sludge occurred between 70 and 85%. All worms died within a week at pH values <5 or >9; optimum pH for gain in weight centered around 7.0 Soluble salts in excess of 0.5% were lethal, though ammonium acetate caused 100% mortality at a concentration of 0.1%; concentrations in manures contaminated by urine or cattle slurry may be lethal, while those present in noncontaminated manure, with an electrolytic conductivity of 1.5–3mmhos, support weight gain. Inorganic chemicals that are commonly used to coagulate sludges, often as a preliminary to land application, were innocuous at concentrations higher than those normally used at wastewater treatment plants. Anaerobically digested sludges are toxic to earthworms, and are characterized by low oxidation-reduction potentials; when placed upon a soil substrate the redox potential increases slowly, and though the sludge tested in this study was nontoxic at Eh values in excess of 250 mV, it provided insufficient nutriment to E. foetida to allow weight gain. With activated sludge as food, growth of E. foetida occurred more rapidly when soil was present, independently of whether it was placed as a substrate beneath the sludge or mixed into the sludge. Growth occurred more rapidly when activated sludge was placed on substrates which allowed drainage, though loam or ashed loam appeared superior to others, such as glass beads or sand; the growth promoting factor is related to the inorganic fraction of the soil.     

中国五个典型城市污水厂污泥中重金属的形态分布研究

Metal content and bioavailability are often the limiting factors for application of sewage sludge in agricultural fields. Sewage sludge samples were collected from five typical urban wastewater treatment plants in China to investigate their contents and distribution of various chemical fractions of Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb and Mo by using the BCR （Community Bureau of Reference） sequential extraction procedure. The sludges contained considerable amounts of organic matter （31.8%- 48.0%）, total N （16.3-26.4 g kg^-1） and total P （15.1-23.9 g kg^-1）, indicating high potential agricultural benefits of their practical applications. However, total Zn and Ni contents in the sludge exceeded the values permitted in China＇s control standards for pollutants in sludges from agricultural use （GB 4284-1984）. The residual fraction was the predominant fraction for Mo, Ni and Cr, the oxidizable fraction was the primary fraction for Cu and Pb, and the exchangeable and reducible fractions were principal for Zn. The distribution of different chemical fractions among the sludge samples refiected differences in their physicochemical properties, especially pH. The sludge pH was negatively correlated with the percentages of reducible fraction of Cu and exchangeable fraction of Zn. The sludges from these plants might not be suitable for agricultural applications due to their high contents of Zn, Ni and Cr, as well as high potential of mobility and bioavailability of Zn.     

Initial results from long-term field studies at three sites on the effects of heavy metal-amended liquid sludges on soil microbial activity

In a long‐term study of the effects on soil fertility and microbial activity of heavy metals contained in sewage sludges, metal‐amended liquid sludges each with elevated Zn, Cu or Cd concentrations were applied over a 3‐year period (1995–1997) to three sites in England. The experiments were sited adjacent to experimental plots receiving metal‐rich sludge cakes enabling comparisons to be made between the effects of heavy metal additions in metal‐amended liquid sludges and sludge cakes. The liquid sludge additions were regarded as ‘worst case’ treatments in terms of likely metal availability, akin to a long‐term situation following sewage sludge additions where organic matter levels had declined and stabilised. The aim was to establish individual Zn (50–425 mg kg^?1), Cu (15–195 mg kg^?1) and Cd (0.3–4.0 mg kg^?1) metal dose–response treatments at each site, but with significantly smaller levels of organic matter addition than the corresponding sludge cake experiments. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in soil respiration rates, biomass carbon concentrations or most probable numbers of clover Rhizobium between the treatments at any of the sites at the end of the liquid sludge application programme. Soil heavy metal extractability differed between the metal‐amended liquid sludge and metal‐rich sludge cake treatments; Zn and Cd extractabilities were higher from the liquid sludge additions, whereas Cu extractability was higher from the sludge cake application. These differences in metal extractability in the treated soil samples reflected the contrasting NH₄NO₃ extractable metal contents of the metal‐amended liquid sludges and sludge cakes that were originally applied.     

Comparison of Extraction Procedures Used in Determination of Phosphorus Species by 31P‐NMR in Chilean Volcanic Soils

Abstract

Four procedures were employed to extract phosphorus (P) from volcanic soils for ³¹P‐NMR experiments. The procedures involve 0.5 M NaOH extraction, 0.5 M NaOH and Chelex 100 cation exchange resin extraction, NaOH‐EDTA extraction, and HCl‐NaOH two step sequential extraction with Chelex 100 clean up. Results showed that inorganic‐P, monoester‐P, diester‐P and pyrophosphate were present. Their detection was dependent on the extraction procedure used.

The NaOH procedure gives only a broad and vaguely defined signal with poor signal to noise ratio. The incorporation of Chelex 100 in the extraction enhanced the signal to noise ratio and allowed the distinction of inorganic‐P, monoester‐P, diester‐P and pyrophosphate. The two step sequential extraction involving HCl, NaOH, and Chelex 100 significantly improve the signal to noise ratio. The NaOH‐EDTA extraction procedure is efficient only in samples with low OC contents.

When soils have low OC content, any of the four extraction procedures can be successfully used. If the OC and the Fe concentration in the extracted solutions are high, the Chelex 100 became essential in clean up the metallic ions. Both the NaOH and Chelex 100 and the HCl‐NaOH‐Chelex produced satisfactory results and the later procedure by far the best resolved spectra.     

Phosphordüngewirkung eisenhaltiger Klärschlämme

<?show $38#Bo;>Phosphorus fertilization effect of sewage sludges treated with iron compounds The result of waste water treatment with iron salts are sewage sludges with higher P but also Fe contents. The effect of such sludges on P availability in soils is not clear and was, therefore, compared with CaHPO₄ as a P mineral fertilizer. In experiments (Mitscherlich pots, 6 kg soil) two sandy soils (pH 4.3 and 4.9), two luvisols ( pH 6.3 and 7.2), a loess (13 % CaCO₃), and quartz sand all differing in their P status were treated with two sewage sludges which differed in their molar Fe:P ratios (sludge Gö: 1:0.3, sludge Sh: 1:1.2). For sludge Gö the P elimination had been carried out with FeSO₄ and the sludge was stabilized with FeCl₃ + Ca(OH)₂ (filter press). For sludge Sh P was eliminated by FeCl₃ in the aerobic basin. The first crop was maize (total shoot dry matter), the second red clover. In case of sludge Sh both crops took up in comparison to CaHPO₄ the same amount of P from all substrates with the exception of quartz sand. The effect of sludge Gö was quite different: from the neutral luvisol soils maize was able to take up only 64—82 % P and red clover 77—82 % P only as compared to CaHPO₄. On the sandy soils maize and red clover grew after sludge Gö as good or better than after CaHPO₄ application and P uptake was quite similar (83—106 %). This result was concomitant to an increase of pH values (from 4.3 to 4.9, 4.9 to 5.6, respectively). The negative efficiency of P uptake in heavy soils after application of sludge Gö resulted from an increase of P sorption and decrease of orthophosphate concentration in soil solution. This sludge contains a high proportion of iron hydroxides/oxides with free sorption sites for P. In future P elimination from waste water should be done without iron salts. At least during the process of conditioning no Fe salts should be used.<?show $6#>