The effect of sewage‐sludge on the heavy metal content of soils and plant tissue

Abstract

Domestic sewage sludge applied to farm fields at a rate of 44.9 kg/ha in a mixture with lime and sawdust was found to increase the soil levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc. The average levels in sludge treated soil were: 0.11, 0.56, 3.59, 2.72, 0.068, 1.49 and 2.57 ppm, respectively. The increases were small and the overall loading factors were well below recommended maximums. The uptake of these heavy metals by grass and legume plants was variable with cadmium, copper and zinc levels being higher in those plants growing in the sludge treated soils but only copper was significantly higher. The heavy metal contents found were all within the levels normally found in grass and legume plants. The higher mean concentration in plants growing on the sludge treated soils were cadmium 0.495; chromium 1.22; copper 12.3; lead 1.54; mercury 0.022; nickel 4.08 and zinc 28.4 ppm.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Grown in Sewage Sludge–Amended Soil

The assessment of heavy metals in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) grown in sewage sludge–amended soil was investigated. The results revealed that sewage sludge significantly (P < 0.01) increased the nutrients and heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the soil. The contents of metals were found to be below the maximum levels permitted for soils in India. The most agronomic performance and biochemical components of S. oleracea were found at 50% concentrations of sewage sludge in both seasons. The contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn in S. oleracea were increased from 5% to 100% concentrations of sewage sludge in both seasons. The order of contamination factor (Cf) of different heavy metals was Mn > Cd > Cr > Zn > Cu for soil and Cr > Cd > Mn > Zn > Cu for S. oleracea plants after application of sewage sludge. Therefore, use of sewage sludge increased concentrations of heavy metals in soil and S. oleracea.     

Schwermetalle in Oberböden des Warthetals unter städtischem Einfluß

Heavy metals in surface soils of the Warta river valley in an urban area In the urban area of the city of Poznan the contamination with heavy metals was investigated. From the top soil layers of five cross-sections of the valley of the Warta river 87 samples were collected. Beside common soil characteristics the contents of arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, phosphorus and zinc were analyzed. Predominantly the level of contamination with heavy metals is low in the valley soils. A higher level was found in the area of the old city centre. Especially the contents of lead, copper and zinc were raised. Downstream of the sewage plant discharge into the river Warta increased contents of lead and cadmium were found. The distribution of heavy metals in the river Warta sediments indicates that the reason of the local increase of heavy metal contents is the sewage water discharge, Correlations between the content of different heavy metals and other soil properties (pH, clay and P-content, C/N-ratio) were calculated.     

Effect of sewage sludge on nodulation and N2−fixation in alfalfa grown on calcareous loamy soils

The influence of different rates of sludge applications to calcareous loamy soils of Saudi Arabia, on nodulation and symbiotic N₂?fixation in alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa L.) was studied in a pot experiment. The effect of heavy metals accumulation in soil due to continuous irrigation of the test soil with sewage water was also investigated. Application of up to 80 g sludge per pot enhanced nodulation, nitrogenase activity, dry matter yield and N-contents of alfalfa plants growing in loamy soils either previously irrigated with sewage water or well water. However, sludge applied at the rate of 160–200 g pot^?1 inhibited the nodulation, N accumulation and dry matter yield of alfalfa. The response of alfalfa to sludge was dependent on the rhizobial strain used. Our results also showed that accumulation of heavy metals due to continuous irrigation of a calcareous sandy loam soil with sewage water, for more than 10 years, didn't inhibit N₂?fixation in alfalfa plants, but enhanced it. Microelements in alfalfa plants increased with increase in the rate of sludge application. Although high rates of sludge application affected nodulation and N₂?fixation of alfalfa, dry matter and the nitrogen contents of the plants were not highly affected. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of high rates of sludge was most probably due to the toxic effect of heavy metals on the microsymbiont rather than on the plants.     

Potential of Gamma Irradiated Sewage Sludge as Fertilizer in Radish: Evaluating Heavy-Metal Accumulation in Sandy Loam Soil

Soil application of sewage sludge as an amendment in crop plants has became a popular method of municipal sewage-sludge disposal in many countries. However, the presence of heavy metals in untreated sewage sludge has raised concerns of adverse effects on crop growth, quality of product, and environmental health. Gamma irradiation is one of the treatments for hygienization of sewage sludge before use as fertilizer. To evaluate the potential of gamma-irradiated sewage sludge as fertilizer in vegetable crops, the field investigation was conducted in a root crop, radish (Raphanus sativus L.), during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 growing seasons in a sandy loam soil. Treatments consisted of three source of fertilizers [farmyard manure (FYM), gamma-irradiated sewage sludge (GISS), and nonirradiated sewage sludge (NISS)]; each were compared at six application levels (1, 3, 6, 7, 9, and 11 t ha^?1). The physicochemical properties of all the three fertilizers used in this study were compared. Growth parameters and yields of radish were not significantly influenced by source of fertilizers or their application levels, except plant stand, which was influenced by type of fertilizers used. There was no significant difference observed between source of fertilizer treatments with respect to any of the measured soil properties, including major nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)], metallic micronutrients [copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)], and heavy metals [nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co)]. Soil P and Zn were influenced by the various level of fertilizers. However, the interaction effect of source and level of fertilizer was absent for all the measured parameters. The maximum pollutant limits in sewage sludge and soil for agricultural use in different countries were compared. The concentration of metallic micronutrients and heavy metals in soil were less than the prescribed limit of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and no significant accumulation was noted after 2 years of application of GISS and NISS even at higher application rates.     

Heavy metal levels in apple orchards after the application of two composts

Abstract

Two composts were tested in eleven different Malus domestica orchards: one was a sewage sludge and bark compost with a low heavy metal content, the other was a municipal solid waste compost with a higher concentration of metals. For six years the zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) content were monitored in the soil, both in ‘total’ and EDTA extractable form, and in leaves and fruits. The resulting data demonstrate clearly that the sewage sludge and bark compost did not cause any significant increase of heavy metal levels in soil and plants; this compost can thus be used to fertilize the soil with no danger either to the environment or to crops. In contrast, the municipal solid waste compost led to a notable accumulation of all the metals examined in the soil and, above all in the case of Pb and Cd, also in the vegetation and the fruits.     

肥料重金属含量状况及施肥对土壤和作物重金属富集的影响

本文对肥料中重金属的含量状况以及施肥对土壤和农作物重金属累积影响的研究进展进行了系统分析和总结。过磷酸钙中锌（Zn）、 铜（Cu）、 镉（Cd）、 铅（Pb）含量高于氮肥、 钾肥和三元复合肥,有机-无机复混肥料中的Pb含量高于其他化肥。有机肥如畜禽粪便、 污泥及其堆肥中的重金属含量高于化肥,猪粪中的Cu、 Zn、 砷（As）、 Cd含量明显高于其他有机废弃物,鸡粪中铬（Cr）含量高;污泥和垃圾堆肥中Pb或汞（Hg）含量高。商品有机肥Zn、 Pb和镍（Ni）含量高于堆肥,Hg含量高于畜禽粪便。多数研究表明,氮磷钾配施与不施肥相比土壤Cd和Pb含量增加,施用有机肥比不施肥提高土壤Cu、 Zn、 Pb、 Cd含量。施用化肥对农作物重金属富集的影响不明确,而施用有机肥可提高作物可食部位Cu、 Zn、 Cd、 Pb 的含量,影响大小与有机肥种类、 用量、 土壤类型和pH以及作物种类等有很大关系。在今后的研究中应着重以下几个方面, 1）典型种植体系下土壤重金属的投入/产出平衡; 2）不同种植体系下长期不同施肥措施对土壤重金属含量、 有效性影响的动态趋势; 3）典型种植体系和施肥措施下土壤对重金属的最高承载年限; 4）现有施肥措施下肥料中重金属的最高限量标准。     

Self-purification of agrosoddy-podzolic sandy loamy soils fertilized with sewage sludge

Sandy loamy agrosoddy-podzolic soils and plants growing on them were studied. The soils had been treated with sewage sludge from the Lyubertsy aeration station applied as organic fertilizer for 5–10 years before 1990. Initially, these soils were used for cultivating vegetables and fodder crops. The content and mobility of heavy metal compounds increased in the plow horizons of studied soils under the influence of sewage sludge. The concentrations of Cd and Zn exceeded the tentative permissible concentrations (TPC) for these elements by 8–16 and 2–4 times, respectively. The contaminated layer was found at the depths within 30–50 cm, which attests to a low migration rate of heavy metals added to the studied soils with sewage sludge (SS) 25 years ago. The concentration of Cd exceeded the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of this element in all vegetable and fodder crops cultivated on the studied soils. The content of heavy metals in plants differed by three–five times in dependence on the capacity of particular plants to accumulate them. The period of soil self-purification from heavy metals was found to depend on the soil contamination level and element mobility, as well as on the element removal with harvested crops and with soil water flows. The maximal time of achieving the normal level of Cd concentration was estimated as 288 years for maximally contaminated soils; the corresponding values for Cu and Zn were estimated as 74 and 64 years, respectively.     

DNA- and RNA-derived assessments of fungal community composition in soil amended with sewage sludge rich in cadmium, copper and zinc

Current UK legislation permits the application of sewage sludge to agricultural land provided concentrations of heavy metals in soil do not increase above maximum permissible limits. However, even within the defined limits, we do not know how an increase in soil heavy metal concentrations is likely to affect biological diversity and activity. Here we report on the effects of sewage sludge addition, including sludge rich in the metals cadmium, copper and zinc, on soil fungal community composition using both an rDNA and rRNA DGGE approach. Sewage sludge addition altered fungal ITS-DGGE banding patterns, however, there were no additional effects of an increase in soil heavy metal concentrations. Similar results were obtained for the full range of copper rich sludge treatments even when copper concentrations were well above the maximum permissible limits. Our data therefore demonstrate that although an increase in soil organic matter content alters soil fungal community diversity and composition, increasing soil concentrations of cadmium, copper and zinc up to current legislative limits had little additional effect regardless of whether rRNA or rDNA was analysed. This suggests that current UK limits for these three heavy metals are within a concentration range that the dominant soil fungi at this field site can tolerate.     

Wirkung von organischen Schadstoffen (PAK; PCB) und Schwermetallen in Rieselfeldböden auf Biomasseertrag und Schwermetalltransfer bei Roggen (Secale Cereale)

Effects of organic pollutants (PAH; PCB) and heavy metals in sewage fields on biomass production and heavy metal transfer of rye Rye was cultivated in pots on original sewage field soils and an artifically polluted soil. The weakly polluted sewage field soil (reference soil R) was contaminated with 2.2′,5.5′-tetrachlorbiphenyl, Benzo-a-pyren, cadmium or copper as well as with combinations of these organic pollutants and heavy metals. These treatments were compared with an extremely contaminated sewage field soil (GroBbeeren GB). Rye cultivated on the artifically polluted soil (R) showed typical symptoms of damage which were similar to effects on the extremely contaminated sewage field soil (GB). Damage from single substance copper was sometimes greater than those observed on soil GB. This may indicate interactions or synergistic effects.     

Extractability and plant uptake of heavy metals in alum shale soils

Abstract

Fifty soil samples (0–20 cm) with corresponding numbers of grain, potatoes, cabbage, and cauliflower crops were collected from soils developed on alum shale materials in Southeastern Norway to investigate the availability of [cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn)] in the soil and the uptake of the metals by these crops. Both total (aqua regia soluble) and extractable [ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and DTPA] concentrations of metals in the soils were studied. The total concentration of all the heavy metals in the soils were higher compared to other soils found in this region. Forty‐four percent of the soil samples had higher Cd concentration than the limit for application of sewage sludge, whereas the corresponding values for Ni, Cu, and Zn were 60%, 38%, and 16%, respectively. About 70% the soil samples had a too high concentration of one or more of the heavy metals in relation to the limit for application of sewage sludge. Cadmium was the most soluble of the heavy metals, implying that it is more bioavailable than the other non‐essential metals, Pb and Ni. The total (aqua regia soluble) concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni and the concentrations of DTPA‐extractable Cd and Ni were significantly higher in the loam soils than in the sandy loam soils. The amount of NH₄NCyextractable metals did not differ between the texture classes. The concentrations of DTPA‐extractable metals were positively and significantly correlated with the total concentrations of the same metals. Ammonium nitrate‐extractable metals, on the other hand, were not related to their total concentrations, but they were negatively and significantly correlated to soil pH. The average concentration of Cd (0.1 mg kg^‐1 d.w.) in the plants was relatively high compared to the concentration previously found in plants grown on the other soils. The concentrations of the other heavy metals Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, and Pb in the plants were considered to be within the normal range, except for some samples with relatively high concentrations of Ni and Mn (0–11.1 and 3.5 to 167 mg kg‘¹ d.w., respectively). The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Mn in grain were positively correlated to the concentrations of these respective metals in the soil extracted by NH₄NO₃. The plant concentrations were negatively correlated to pH. The DTPA‐extractable levels were not correlated with plant concentration and hence DTPA would not be a good extractant for determining plant availability in these soils.     

Determination of mobile heavy metal fraction in soil: Results of a pot experiment with sewage sludge

Abstract

The development of a method using a chelating resin to assess heavy metal mobility in soil and the first results obtained from a pot experiment with sewage sludge additions were studied. The resin was Chelex 100 with the calcium (Ca)‐form of the resin proving to be best suited for the extraction. The efficiency of recovery of the heavy metals from an aqueous solution ranged from 81.2% for cadmium (Cd) to 102% for copper (Cu) within 24 hours. For heavy metal extractions from a soil sample, a 96 hour extraction period was found to be optimum. The extracted heavy metal portion was comparable with the results obtained with an ammonium acetate (NH₄AOc) extraction. Total heavy metal contents in the substrate of the pot experiment did not show a significant influence due to the sewage sludge treatments, although considerable amounts of heavy metals were added by the sewage sludge. This effect can be both due to the incomplete recovery of heavy metals by an aqua regia extraction and leaching losses of these elements from the pots. Rape (Raphanus sativus L.) plants did not have any heavy metal contents which might indicate a high availability in soil, with the Cd and Cr contents in the rape biomass being partly lower in the sewage sludge‐treated pots than in the control plants; however, zinc (Zn) uptake slightly increased with increasing sewage sludge treatments. The Chelex 100 extraction procedure was correlated with Cd plant uptake, while the NH₄AOc extraction procedure was better related to the Zn uptake by rape plants.     

Compost use in viticulture: Effect on heavy metal levels in soil and plants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the long‐term effect of compost application on the heavy metal content in soil, leaves, and fruit of grape (Vitis vinifera). Two types of compost were tested in a vineyard. One was compost with a low heavy metal content, which was derived from sewage sludge and bark (SB compost). The other type was compost with a higher concentration of metals, which was derived from municipal solid waste (MSW compost). For 6 years, the levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) in their total (aqua regia digestion), EDTA‐extractable, and DTPA‐extractable forms were monitored in soil, leaves, musts, and wines. The resulting data clearly demonstrate that SB compost did not cause any significant increase in heavy metal levels in the soil and the plants. Thus, this type of compost can be used for soil fertilization with no danger either to the environment or to crops. In contrast, the use of MSW compost caused a significant accumulation of Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr in the soil, in vegetation, and in musts. Skin‐contact fermentation dramatically decreased the heavy metal content of the wines. The concentration of heavy metals in plant tissues was found to be positively correlated with the DTPA‐extractable form of the metals in the soil, but not correlated with the total or the EDTA‐extractable forms.     

Wirkung von 2,2′,5,5′ Tetrachlorbiphenyl,Benzo-a-pyren,Cadmium und Kupfer in einem Rieselfeldboden und Aufnahme dieser Stoffe durch Roggen (Secale cereale)

Effect of 2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl, benzo-a-pyren, cadmium and copper in an original sewage field soil and uptake of these substances by rye Rye was cultivated in pots on weakly polluted sewage field soil (R) and artificially polluted variants of this soil. The aim of the project was to study the combined effect of organic pollutants (PCB, PAH) and heavy metals (HM) to parameters of soil biology, biomass production and soil-plant transfer. R was contaminated with 2,2′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 52), benzo-a-pyren (BaP), cadmium (Cd) or copper (Cu) as well as with combinations of these substances up to concentrations comparable with an extremely polluted sewage field soil. Rye showed significant yield reductions on all treatments enriched with copper ( > 60 ppm plant-available Cu in soil). In this context copper only produced the impairments of microbial activity in the soil and caused its phytotoxicity. The yield reductions were connected with higher copper contents and also higher cadmium contents of rye as a result of concentration effect. Added copper led to increasing mobility and availability for plants of Cd in the soil. Addition of copper in combination with organic pollutants to soil R increased also availability of Cd for plants.     

污泥及其复合肥对蔬菜产量及重金属积累的影响

通过盆栽和小区试验初步探讨了污泥复合肥对蔬菜的增产效应及其对蔬菜吸收累积重金属的影响。结果表明 ,污泥复合肥可显著提高蔬菜产量 ,蔬菜可食部分中的Cu、Zn、Cd含量均在国家食品卫生标准范围内 ,但Pb的含量超出了国家食品卫生标准     

综述巴基斯坦农田土壤污水灌溉技术

Raw sewage is widely used on agricultural soils in urban areas of developing countries to meet water shortages. Although it is a good source of plant nutrients, such sewage also increases the heavy metal load to soils, which may impact the food chain. Management options for sewage contaminated soils includes addition of nontoxic compounds such as lime, calcium sulfate and organic matter, which form insoluble metal complexes, thus reducing metal phytoavailability to plants. In this paper we review the variation in irrigation quality of sewage at different sites and its impact on the quality of soils and vegetables. Although quality of sewage was highly variable at source, yet the effluent from food industries was relatively safe for irrigation. In comparison effluent samples collected from textile, dyeing, calendaring, steel industry, hospitals and clinical laboratories, foundries and tanneries were hazardous with respect to soluble salts, sodium adsorption ratio and heavy metals like zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt and cadmium. The sewage quality in main drains was better than that at the industry outlet, but was still not safe for irrigation. In general, higher accumulation of metals in fruits and vegetable roots was recorded compared to that in plant leaves. Edible parts of vegetables (fruits and/or leaves) accumulated metals more than the permissible limits despite the soils contained ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extractable metals within a safe range. In either case further scientific investigations are needed to ensure safe management strategies. Cadmium appeared to be the most threatening metal especially in leafy vegetables. It is advisable to avoid leafy vegetables cultivation in sewage irrigated areas everywhere to restrict its entry into food chain.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings Grown in Soils Amended with Electroplating Industrial Sludge

A glasshouse study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of lime-treated (0, 0.5, and 1%) industrial sludge amendments (10 and 20%) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling growth and heavy metal accumulation in soils as well as in wheat seedlings. Industrial sludge–amended soil samples were filled in earthen pots (2 kg pot^?1) one week before planting and 7-day-old seedlings were transplanted in pots (3/pot) and were kept in a glasshouse. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metals and metals in seedlings increase with increasing doses of industrial sludge. Biomass and growth have been found to increase with increasing rates of sludge. It also enhanced heavy metal concentrations in wheat seedlings and followed the trend zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). Lime enhanced the biomass and reduced the heavy metal concentrations in wheat seedlings. Although 20% treatments in both soils showed a significant enhancement in shoot length, metals like Pb reached beyond permissible limits.     

Sewage sludge application to land – a preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of Scottish soils to heavy metal inputs

Abstract. The projected increase in sewage sludge used on land within many countries in the European Community will provide a major source of entry for several heavy metals into the soil. Although the application rate of sewage sludge to agricultural land is constrained by maximum annual additions of heavy metals, there is a need to know the sensitivity of those soils to heavy metal inputs which are physically suited for application. A rulebased classification using weighted parameters designed to assess the metal binding capacity of soil and the risk of groundwater pollution has been applied to soils data held within the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute's National Soils Inventory The classification uses soil pH, organic matter content, texture and soil colour as a surrogate for iron oxide concentration. The results indicate that some metals, for example cadmium and zinc are potentially more mobile in soils than others such as lead, but that the majority of soils display a strong or very strong binding capacity for all the metals. However this pattern can only be sustained if the soil pH values are maintained at their present values; a fall of one pH unit marks a dramatic shift towards the weak and moderate binding classes. The approach is largely unvalidated but does provide a useful framework for incorporating our mechanistic understanding of processes into wide area soil quality assessments and in identifying future research opportunities.     

Fractionation of residual cadmium,copper, nickel,lead, and zinc in previously sludge‐amended soil

Abstract

The fractionation of heavy metals in previously sludge‐amended soil is important to evaluate their behavior in the environment in terms of mobility and availability to crop plants. A surface soil that received two types of sludges at two different rates, plus fertilizer only and no treatment (control), having been fallow for nine years, was used in this study. The contents of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) fractions in previously sludge‐amended soils were governed by the total content of these metals in the sludges applied and by the rate of sludge application. The contents of these metals were higher for soils that received the Chicago sludge as compared to that receiving the Huntsville sludge. Furthermore, soils that received 20 Mg/ha/yr of sludge for five years generally had higher levels of these metals than those receiving a single dose at the 100 Mg/ha application rate. The percentage of the total content in the water soluble and exchangeable forms was very low (≤1%) regardless of sludge application. The application of sludges tended to reduce the residual fraction and to increase the organic and carbonate fractions. Overall, the predominant forms of the metals in the sludges were as the Cd‐, Ni‐, Pb‐, and Zn‐carbonate and Cu‐organic fractions.     

Distribution of Heavy Metals in Some Tree Leaves along the Main Road in an Agricultural Area

Four types of tree leaves were investigated (olive, fig, oak, and carob). The tree leaf samples, washed and unwashed, were analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Variable levels were found in these plants. In addition, all heavy‐metal concentrations of the samples were significantly higher than their counterparts of the control, indicating heavy‐metal pollution was taking place. Very high correlations were found between heavy metals in the same plant, between different plants, and between plants and soil, indicating common sources of heavy metals, possibly soil and soil pollution sources such as traffic. The accuracy of the analytical method used for heavy metals was checked by analysis of standard reference materials, rye grass (CRM 281) and spinach leaf (SRM 1570a). The percentages of recovery of both reference materials for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were better than 93%.