Leaching Behavior of Heavy Metals In Biosolids Amended Sandy Soils

Use of biosolids in agriculture to improve crop production and soil quality have created concerns due to content of heavy metals that may affect surface or ground water quality. A column leaching study was conducted to evaluate the leaching potential of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cdmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) from two typical agricultural sandy soils in South Florida (Spodosol and Alfisol) with increasing application of pelletized biosolids (called PB) at the rates of 0, 1.25, 5.0, 10.0 g kg^?1, respectively together with chemical fertilizer (CF). Elevated PB rate resulted in reduced leaching loss of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Co, Ni from Spodosol, but resulted in increased loss of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Co from Alfisol. Significant reduction in Cu loss occurred in both soils, which can be attributed to the strong binding of Cu with organic matter from the applied PB. Percentage of Cd loss as of total Cd was 13% – 41%, the highest in all the heavy metals, whereas loss of Pb as of total Pb was less than 6.6%, though the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni in leachate were mostly above the limits of U.S. EPA drinking water standards or the national secondary drinking water standards. These results indicate that soil properties, PB application rates, and chemical behavior of elements jointly influence the leachate total loads of heavy metals in sandy soils applied with biosolids. Application of CF together with BP at a rate higher than 10.0 g kg^?1 for sandy soils may pose potential threats to water quality due to enhanced leachate loads of Cr and Ni in Spodosol and Pb, Zn, Cd, Co and Ni in Alfisol.     

Total soil heavy‐metal concentrations and mobile fractions after 10 years of biowaste‐compost fertilization

The accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soils is the most often cited potential risk of compost application. As the ecological effects of metals are related to mobile fractions rather than to total concentrations in the soil, we measured the total (aqua regia–extractable) HM concentrations, the readily available water‐soluble and the potentially bioavailable LiCl‐extractable fraction of soil HMs in a field experiment after 10 y with total applications of 95, 175, and 255 t ha^–1 biowaste compost (fresh matter). Total soil concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the compost treatments were not significantly higher than in the unfertilized control. Total Zn concentrations increased in the treatment with the highest application rate, as expected from the calculation of the Zn load in the composts. In the mobile fractions, as measured in soil saturation extract and LiCl extract, Cd and Pb were not detectable. Concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Zn were in the range published for unpolluted soils in other studies and did not show any differences according to treatment. Easily exchangeable Cu (in LiCl extract) was increased with compost fertilization, most probably due to complexation with low‐molecular organic complexants. Except for Cd and Zn, the results of the mobile HM fractions in the soil were in good agreement with plant HM concentrations. In conclusion, fertilization with high‐quality biowaste compost at such rates and after 10 y of application gives no cause for concern with regard to both total HM concentrations and available HM fractions.     

Heavy Metal Content in Lettuce Plants Grown in Biosolids Compost

The objective of this work was to evaluate the affects of the application of composted biosolids on the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in lettuce leaves. Pots containing different proportions (0 to 100%) of composted biosolids were used to grow lettuce plants under greenhouse conditions. Dry and fresh weight, leaf area and Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn uptake were determined after harvest. It was found that the dry and fresh matter productions of the plants were significantly lower in the control treatment. The addition of composted biosolids caused a 20 and 40% increase in biomass accumulation. Cd and Pb concentrations in leaves were below detection limits (0.05 mg kg^?1) in all treatments. Zn concentration in leaves increases as compost proportion decreases, ranging from 57.2 to 80.4 mg kg^?1. Composted biosolids application increased the Cu and Ni plant concentrations, ranging from 5.1 to 9.8 mg Cu kg^?1 and 2.3 to 3.7 mg Ni kg^?1. In all treatments the proportions of heavy metals in plants were below the international standards of toxicity. The results allow us to suggest that, in short-term applications, composted biosolids could be used as soil amendment for lettuce production, without toxic effects in the chemical composition of the plant.     

长期化肥配施不同有机肥对土壤和玉米中重金属累积的影响

  【目的】  明确长期化肥配施有机肥对重金属元素在土壤和农作物籽粒、秸秆中积累的影响及其环境效应,为安全高效施肥提供科学依据。  【方法】  在北京市农林科学院新型肥料长期定位试验站进行了为期10年的田间试验,其种植模式为冬小麦–夏玉米轮作,试验处理为不施肥 (CK)、单施化肥 (NPK)、氮磷钾 + 鸡粪堆肥的有机肥料 (NPKJF)、氮磷钾 + 污泥堆肥的有机肥料 (NPKWN)、氮磷钾 + 垃圾堆肥的有机肥料 (NPKLJ) 和氮磷钾 + 秸秆粉碎还田 (NPKJG) 共6个处理,施肥处理依据等氮量施肥原则,每季作物施 N 180 kg/hm2、P₂O₅ 90.0 kg/hm2、K₂O 90.0 kg/hm2。在玉米收获后测定了玉米秸秆、籽粒和0—20 cm耕层土壤中重金属全量。  【结果】  添加污泥处理显著提高了土壤中Cd、Hg、As、Cu、Zn的含量,单因子污染指数分别比对照提高了45.10%、150.00%、104.00%、44.60%、65.80%。不同施肥处理对土壤中全量Cd、Cr、Hg、Cu、Zn存在一定的富集效果。各处理重金属单项污染指数在0.02～0.46,远小于1,综合污染指数为0.23～0.36,均小于0.7,试验区土壤重金属均为无污染等级。施用有机废弃物堆肥的处理玉米籽粒Cd、Cu、Zn含量比对照显著增加,各处理间Hg、As、Cr、Pb、Ni含量差异不显著,连续10年定位施肥后试验站土壤以及玉米籽粒中重金属含量均未超标。同一作物不同部位对重金属的富集能力不同,玉米秸秆对重金属的富集能力大于籽粒。玉米籽粒中Pb、Cu、Zn含量与土壤Pb、Cu、Zn含量存在正相关性,玉米秸秆中Cd、Hg、Cr、Ni含量与土壤中Cd、Hg、Cr、Ni含量呈正相关或者显著负相关。  【结论】  在施氮总量不变的前提下,连续施用供试有机堆肥10年后,土壤重金属含量均未超标,土壤重金属单项污染指数在0.02～0.46,综合污染指数为0.23～0.36,无污染风险。只有污泥堆肥需要加强土壤Cd的监测。玉米秸秆对重金属的富集能力大于籽粒。玉米籽粒中Pb、Cu、Zn含量与土壤相应重金属含量存在正相关性,秸秆中Cd、Pb、Hg、Zn与Cr、Ni含量与土壤中相应重金属含量呈正相关,而秸秆中Cr、Ni含量与土壤中相应重金属含量呈负相关。     

Composted biosolids enhance fertility of a sandy loam soil under dairy pasture

Field and pot trials were established to assess potential benefits and adverse effects of amending a sandy loam soil, under grazed ryegrass-clover pasture, with compost manufactured from wastewater biosolids, wood waste and green waste. Compost was applied to the field trial site annually for 4 years and the pot trials used soil from the field trial site each year after compost application. The pot trials demonstrated that yield of silver beet (Beta vulgaris L.) increased with increasing compost application rate and that plant metal uptake was (except for Zn) unrelated or inversely related to soil metal concentrations. In samples from the field trial, soil total C, N, P and Olsen P increased markedly with increasing compost application rate. Cation exchange capacity, exchangeable cations and total-extractable and EDTA-extractable metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were also elevated, total Cu to the limit allowable in biosolids-amended soil. Soil basal respiration, microbial biomass C and anaerobically mineralisable N were significantly increased in the amended plots. Anaerobically mineralisable N was highly correlated with respiration (r =0.98, n =24) and only weakly related to microbial biomass C, probably indicating that a high proportion of the N mineralised was from the compost organic matter. Sulphatase and phosphatase activities increased, but not significantly, and there were no measurable effects on rhizobial numbers or on sensitive microbial biosensors (Rhizotox C and lux-marked Escherichia coli). Biosolids compost application enhanced soil fertility, productivity and microbial biomass and activity, with no apparent adverse effects attributable to heavy metals.     

Heavy Metals Leachability as Affected by pH of Compost-Amended Growth Medium Used in Container-Grown Rhododendrons

The leaching of heavy metals from plant growth medium, admixed with different amounts of compost (prepared from sewage sludge and yard waste) at pH 5, 6 and 7 was determined over a six-month period. Twelve-week old rhododendron cuttings were planted in 2-L containers and rainfall was supplemented with irrigation to supply two centimeters of water per day. Leachates collected over each two to four week period were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn using atomic spectrometry. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn in the leachates increased with increasing proportions of compost in the medium and decreased with increasing time of leaching. Decreasing media pH dramatically increased the concentrations of Cd, Ni and Zn in the leachates, but had no effect on the Cu concentrations. For example, as the proportion of the compost in the pH 5 medium increased from 0 to 100 percent, the concentrations of metals (μg L^?1) in the leachates collected during the first two weeks increased from 1 to 33 (Cd), 10 to 123 (Cu), 8 to 113 (Ni) and 300 to 24,000 (Zn). Corresponding increases at pH 7 were 0.4 to 0.8 (Cd), 14 to 141 (Cu), 8 to 28 (Ni) and 100 to 400 (Zn) μg L^?1. The concentrations of Cr and Pb in the leachates remained below the detection limits regardless of media pH and amounts of compost.     

酸雨地区蔬菜对重金属的吸收及重金属健康风险基准的估算

通过盆栽实验,以小白菜(上海青)、大白菜和萝卜为指示作物,研究了酸雨作用下Cu,Zn,Pb,Cd,Cr和Ni复合污染物在土壤-作物系统中的吸收与富集情况。结果表明,酸雨-重金属复合污染处理使Cu,Pb,Cr和Ni在蔬菜中积累量明显高于对照处理;Zn和Cd一般只有在复合污染处理中外源Zn或Cd含量较高时才明显高于对照处理。与对照相比,酸雨-重金属复合污染处理使Pb和Ni的富集系数增大,Cu的富集系数多数情况下增大,Cd的富集系数多数情况下减小,Zn和Cr富集系数的变化在不同蔬菜之间存在较明显的差异;重金属在不同蔬菜中的富集系数一般表现为萝卜>上海青>大白菜,蔬菜中不同重金属富集系数一般表现为Zn>Cd>Ni>Cu>Pb>Cr。酸雨-重金属复合污染条件下蔬菜中重金属积累量与其在土壤中总量之间的相关性均达到显著或极显著水平。以大宗蔬菜上海青、大白菜和萝卜为指示作物对酸雨地区蔬菜地中重金属的健康风险基准进行了估算,这对开展酸雨地区土壤重金属环境容量评价、重金属污染修复目标及地方性土壤环境质量标准的制订提供了参考依据。     

Biosolids and Biosolids-ash as Sources of Heavy Metals in a Plant-Soil System

Generally, the potential for biosolids (digested or composted)to contribute heavy metals to the soil-plant system has beencompared with commercial fertilizers and other organic wastesbut not with biosolids-ash. An column study was conducted in agreenhouse to determine the availability, extractability andleachability of metals in a degraded, non-calcareous soilamended with different biosolids (200 Mg ha^-1). Thebiosolids investigated were dewatered, anaerobically digestedbiosolids, composted biosolids and biosolids-ash. The columns(26 cm) were planted with wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cvMexa). The addition of digested biosolids decreased the drymatter yield of wheat. Treatments including organic biosolidsincreased Cu and Zn concentrations in wheat roots, straw andgrain, whereas the addition of biosolids-ash did not affect theconcentrations of these metals in wheat. Concentrations of Ni,Co, Pb, Cr and Cd in wheat were below reliable detection limits(0.06, 0.05, 0.1, 0.06 and 0.02 mg kg^-1, respectively).After harvesting, total and AB-DTPA extractable Cu, Zn and Pbincreased in the upper layer of the soil amended with thedifferent biosolids studied, whereas levels of AB-DTPAextractable Ni and Co were affected only when the soil wasamended with digested or composted biosolids. Total chromiumincreased only in treatments including organic biosolids. TheAB-DTPA extractable Cu, Zn and Pb in the lower layer of thesoil in treatments including biosolids evidenced downwardmovement of these metals. However, absence of these metals incolumn leachates indicates that this movement was gradual.     

Cadmium,Lead, Copper,Zinc, and Nickel in Lettuce and Dry Beans as Related to Mehlich-3 Extraction in Three Brazilian Latossols

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown in three Brazilian Red-Yellow Latossols (Oxisols) in greenhouse conditions with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) applied to soils in treatments arranged as a randomized complete block design. Plant metals were analyzed in lettuce shoots and dry beans roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. After plant growth, soil samples from the pots were extracted with Mehlich-3 (M-3) for metal availability evaluation. The release of Ni in the M-3 extraction was dependent on the soil exchangeable aluminum (Al^{3 +}). Mehlich-3 was efficient for determination of availability of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni for dry beans and availability of Cd and Ni for lettuce. The dry bean leaves Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni were highly correlated with their recovering from soils with M-3. The same was observed for Cd and Ni in lettuce shoots and the M-3 recovered metals from soils.     

Extractability of trace metals during co-composting of biosolids and municipal solid wastes

 Composts made from biosolids and municipal solid wastes contain heavy metals which may be exported outside soil systems by plants, animals and surface and subsurface waters after the compost has been added to soils. Chemical distributions of Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni and Co were determined by eight sequential extractions of co-composted materials sampled on days 0, 13, 27 and 41. The concentrations of residual Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb increased by 145, 124, 73.6 and 26.3% during the composting period, respectively, whereas the concentration of residual Ni remained relatively constant and that of Co decreased by 60% over the same period. These results show that co-composting contaminated residues substantially reduces the extractability and exchangeability of four out of six heavy metals, suggesting that the risks of entering the food chain and contaminating crops, animals and water reserves would be equally reduced. Fourier-transform infrared spectra showed that heavy metals in the compost are bonded to COO- groups of the organic matter. Received: 20 March 1998     

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.     

Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde: Schwermetallgehalt von Wurzel und Sproßorganen der Rebe (Vitis vinifera L.) nach Düngung mit Müll-Klärschlammkompost

Heavy metal content of roots and shoots of vines (Vitis vinifera L.) after fertilization with garbage-sewage-sludge-compost The enrichment of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni and Cr from garbage-sewage-sludge-compost in vineyard soils, vines and must was studied in field-and pot-experiments. The following results were obtained: 1. In a field experiment, in which garbage-sewage-sludge-compost was applied, a marked soil enrichment of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Cr was found. It was most evident at the 0–20 cm depth but also obvious at the 40–60 cm depth thus indicating downward migration. The soil was not enriched with Co and Ni. The heavy metal content of leaves, berries and must of riesling vines did not increase on the plots treated with garbage-sewage-sludge-compost. 2. In a pot trial, using an acid and an alkaline soil each mixed with garbage-sewage-sludge-compost, it was observed that only the uptake of Zn and Cu increased into the leaves, tendrils and wood of the riesling cuttings. In relation to the content of the substrate, the heavy metals were detected in the roots percentually in the following order: Cu, Cd > Zn > > Pb, Co, Ni, Cr The root contents were mostly substantially higher than those of the shoot. The migration from root to shoot decreased in the following percentual order: Zn > Cu > Cd, Pb 3. The heavy metal content decreased considerably from the roots to the upper plant organs. This was reflected in low concentrations of heavy metals in the vine must.     

Effect of biosolid application to Mollisol Chilean soils on the bioavailability of heavy metals (Cu,Cr, Ni,and Zn) as assessed by bioassays with sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and DGT measurements

Purpose

This study assessed the effect of biosolid application on the bioavailable fraction of some trace elements (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) using a bioassay with sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and a chemical assay, diffusion gradient in thin films (DGT).

Materials and methods

Five surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from an agricultural zone in Central Chile where biosolids are likely to be applied. Municipal biosolids were mixed with the soil at concentrations of 0, 30, 90, and 200 Mg ha^?1. The experiment to determine the bioavailability of metals in the soil using the bioassay was performed using sunflower. The DGT technique and Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction were used to determine the bioavailable fractions of the metals.

Results and discussion

The application of biosolids increased the phytoavailability of Zn, Ni, and Cr in most of the soils, as indicated by the increasing concentrations in sunflower plants as the biosolid application rate increased. In two of the soils, Codigua and Pelvín, this increase peaked at an application rate of 90 Mg ha^?1. Decreases in the bioavailable fractions of Zn, Ni, and Cr were observed with higher biosolid application rates. The bioavailability of metals was estimated through multiple linear regression models between the metals in the sunflower plants and the different chemical fractions of metals in the soils treated with different biosolid rates, which displayed a positive contribution of the labile (water soluble, carbonate, and exchangeable), oxide, and organic metal forms in the soil, particularly with respect to Ni and Zn at application rates of 30 and 90 Mg ha^?1. The bioavailable fraction of metals was determined in soils using the DGT technique. The effective concentration (C _E) results were compared with those in sunflower plants. The DGT technique could effectively predict the bioavailable fractions of Cr, Ni, and Zn in the Taqueral soil but only that of Zn in the Polpaico soil.

Conclusions

The application of biosolids significantly increased the labile fraction of most of the metals in the studied soils, particularly at the highest biosolid application rate. C _E increased as the concentration of biosolids increased for most of the metals. The effectiveness of the DGT technique for predicting the bioavailability of metals was dependent on the soil type and the metal. However, the C _E for soil Cu was not related to plant Cu for all soils studied.     

Characterization of soil heavy metal pools in paddy fields in Taiwan: chemical extraction and solid-solution partitioning

Background, aim, and scope  Ongoing industrialization has resulted in an accumulation of metals like Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb in paddy fields across Southeast Asia. Risks of metals in soils depend on soil properties and the availability of metals in soil. At present, however, limited information is available on how to measure or predict the directly available fraction of metals in paddy soils. Here, the distribution of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb in 19 paddy fields among the total, reactive, and directly available pools was measured using recently developed concepts for aerated soils. Solid-solution partitioning models have been derived to predict the directly available metal pool. Such models are proven to be useful for risk assessment and to derive soil quality standards for aerated soils. Material and methods  Soil samples (0–25 cm) were taken from 19 paddy fields from five different communities in Taiwan in 2005 and 2006. Each field was subdivided into 60 to 108 plots resulting in a database of approximately 3,200 individual soil samples. Total (Aqua Regia (AR)), reactive (0.43 M HNO₃, 0.1 M HCl, and 0.05 M EDTA), and directly available metal pools (0.01 M CaCl₂) were determined. Solid-solution partitioning models were derived by multiple linear regressions using an extended Freundlich equation using the reactive metal pool, pH, and the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The influence of Zn on metal partitioning and differences between both sampling events (May/November) were evaluated. Results  Total metals contents range from background levels to levels in excess of current soil quality standards for arable land. Between 3% (Cr) and 30% (Cd) of all samples exceed present soil quality standards based on extraction with AR. Total metal levels decreased with an increasing distance from the irrigation water inlet. The reactive metal pool relative to the total metal content is increased in the order Cr << Ni = Zn < Pb < Cu < Cd and ranged from less than 10% for Cr to more than 70% for Cd. Despite frequent redox cycles, Cd, Pb, and Cu appear to remain rather reactive. The methods to determine the reactive metal pool in soils yield comparable results, although the 0.43 M HNO₃ extraction is slightly stronger than HCl and EDTA. The close correlation between these methods suggests that they release similar fractions from soils, probably those reversibly sorbed to soil organic matter (SOM) and clay. The average directly available pool ranged from less than 1% for Cu, Pb, and Cr to 10% for Ni, Zn, and Cd when compared to the reactive metal pool. For Cd, Ni, Zn, and to a lesser extent for Cu and Pb, solid-solution partitioning models were able to explain up to 93% (Cd) of the observed variation in the directly available metal pool. CaCl₂ extractable Zn increased the directly available pool for Ni, Cd, and Cu but not that of Pb and Cr. In the polluted soils, the directly available pool was higher in November compared to that in May. Differences in temperature, rainfall, and changes in soil properties such as pH are likely to contribute to the differences observed within the year. The solid-solution partitioning model failed to explain the variation in the directly available Cr pool, probably because Cr is present in precipitates rather than being adsorbed onto SOM and clay. Despite obvious differences in parent material, source of pollution, climate, and land use, solid-solution partitioning of Cd in paddy fields studied here was similar to that in soils from Belgium and the Netherlands. Discussion  To assess risks of metals in soils, both analytical procedures as well as models are needed. The three methods tested here to determine the reactive metal pool are highly correlated and either of these can be used. The directly available pool was predicted most accurately by the 0.43 M HNO₃ method. The similarity of metal partitioning in paddy soils compared to well-drained soils suggests that changing redox conditions in paddy fields have a limited effect on the geochemical behavior of metals like Cd, Ni, and Zn. Small but significant differences in the directly available metal pool during the year suggest that redox cycles as well as differences in rainfall and temperature affect the size of the directly available metal pool. The large observed spatial heterogeneity of contaminant levels requires ample attention in the setup of soil monitoring programs. Conclusions  The directly available pool (0.01 M CaCl₂) of Cd, Zn, and Ni in paddy fields can be described well by an extended Freundlich model. For Cu and Pb, more information on dissolved organic carbon is needed to obtain a more accurate estimate of the directly available pool. Recommendations and perspectives  Soil testing protocols and models used in risk assessment consider the availability of pollutants rather than the total metal content. Results from extensive testing indicate that approaches developed for nontropical regions can be applied in paddy fields as well for metals like Cd, Ni, and Zn. This study shows that the chemical behavior under drained conditions in paddy fields is comparable to that observed in soils across the European Union, which allows regions with large scale soil pollution including Taiwan to apply such concepts to derive meaningful experimental protocols and models to assess risks of metals in soils.     

Protozoan bioassays of soil amended with sewage sludge and heavy metals,using the common soil ciliate Colpoda steinii

The common soil protozoan Colpoda steinii was used to study the toxicity of sulphate solutions of Ni, Cd, Cu, and Zn. The growth of C. steinii was reduced by 50% in the presence of 0.10, 0.22, 0.25, and 0.85 mg litre^-1 of Ni, Cd, Cu and Zn, respectively, during 24 h of incubation at 25°C, as calculated from a regression analysis of probit-transformed data. The same growth assay was used to assess the toxicity of soil solution extracted by centrifugation from soil samples of field plots of a grass/clover ley on a sandy loam treated with sewage sludge spiked with additional Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, or Zn at concentrations either equivalent to or twice the limits for heavy metals recommended in recent EC guidelines (Commission of European Communities directive 86/278/EEC). The toxicity of these soil solutions varied with the season of the year. None of the soil solutions extracted in winter (February 1991) inhibited the growth of C. steinii. In summer (July 1991), the growth was reduced in solutions extracted from plots that were amended with sludge plus additional Zn or Ni at twice the maxima recommended by the EC. The changes in toxicity to C. steinii of the soil solutions between February and July were positively correlated with increases in heavy metal concentrations of Zn and Ni between winter and summer. These preliminary results suggest that regular protozoan bioassays may be used to monitor the biological availability of heavy metals in soils, especially when combined with other microbial assays and with chemical analyses of soil solutions.     

Composted MSW Effects on Soil Properties and Native Vegetation in a Degraded Semiarid Shrubland

Three rates of dried composted MSW (40, 80 and 120 Mg ha^?1) were surface applied to a degraded semiarid shrubland site near Madrid in central Spain. Various soil and plant parameters were determined one year after its application. MSW amendment had an effect on soil chemistry and nutrient levels. Available P and K, concentration of N-NO₃ and EC. increased significantly after the MSW application. The concentration of total soil heavy metals, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Cu rose with the application of MSW as compared with the control plot, but these increases were only significant in total Zn, Pb and Cu. Zn and Cu amounts of DTPA-extractable soil were also significantly higher in the amended soil. Total plant cover increased significantly in the plots treated with low and intermediate MSW rates. Total biomass production increased as compost rates were added but this rise is not proportional to the amount of MSW added. The degraded soil used in this study may require MSW rates up to 80 Mg ha^?1 to improve soil chemical properties as well as to produce minimal changes in the native vegetation.     

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.     

珠江三角洲污灌区土壤中重金属含量特征

通过现场采样及室内测试方法,分析了珠江三角洲污灌区土壤中9种重金属Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb、Mn、Ni、As、Cr、Se的含量分布特征。结果表明,污灌区土壤9种重金属的全量平均含量均已超出广东省土壤背景值,其中Cd的污染程度最重,Se的污染程度最轻;污灌区土壤以Cd元素的有效系数最高,Ni元素的有效系数最低。Zn、Pb、Cu以及Cd元素随采样深度的增加其全量逐渐减少,Cr、Ni、As以及Se元素随采样深度的增加其全量呈上下波动状态或几乎不变,而Mn元素则是随采样深度的增加其全量先略有减少而后骤升。Cu、Cd、Zn等3种元素全量与有效态含量以及这3种元素全量间均呈显著或极显著的正相关关系。     

Changes of heavy metals in soil and wheat grain under long-term environmental impact and fertilization practices in North China

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of long-term fertilization on heavy metals in soil and wheat grain under no-fertilizer control (CK), nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers (NPK), NPK plus straw (NPKS), and NPK plus manure (NPKM) treatments. Total lead (Pb) significantly increased in the CK over the initial soil. All fertilization treatments increased soil total arsenic (As) than CK, and the NPKM increased total cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) than NPK. All fertilization treatments increased soil available As and Cd than CK, and the NPKM increased available As and chromium (Cr) than NPK. The NPKS decreased grain As, Cd, Cu, and bran Cr, Zn, and Pb; but the NPKM increased grain Cr, Pb, and bran As, and Cu than NPK. Under current manure fertilization systems, the maximum bearing year of soil for As, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and nickel (Ni) was 1136, 2990, 694, 1530, 910, and 1555?years, respectively.     

Heavy Metals in Freshly Deposited Stream Sediments of Rivers Associated with Urbanisation of the Ganga Plain,India

Freshly deposited stream sediments from six urban centres of the Ganga Plain were collected and analysed for heavy metals to obtain a general scenery of sediment quality. The concentrations of heavy metals varied within a wide range for Cr (115–817), Mn (440–1 750), Fe (28 700–61 100), Co (11.7–29.0), Ni (35–538), Cu (33–1 204), Zn (90–1 974), Pb (14–856) and Cd (0.14–114.8) in mg kg^-1. Metal enrichment factors for the stream sediments were <1.5 for Mn, Fe and Co; 1.5–4.1 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb; and 34 for Cd. The anthropogenic source in metals concentrations contributes to 59% Cr, 49% Cu, 52% Zn, 51% Pb and 77% Cd. High positive correlation between concentrations of Cr/Ni, Cr/Cu, Cr/Zn, Ni/Zn, Ni/Cu, Cu/Zn, Cu/Cd, Cu/Pb, Fe/Co, Mn/Co, Zn/Cd, Zn/Pb and Cd/Pb indicate either their common urban origin or their common sink in the stream sediments. The binding capacity of selected metals to sediment carbon and sulphur decreases in order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni and Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni, respectively. Stream sediments from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi and Agra urban centres have been classified by the proposed Sediment Pollution Index as highly polluted to dangerous sediments. Heavy metal analysis in the <20-μm-fraction of stream sediments appears to be an adequate method for the environmental assessment of urbanisation activities on alluvial rivers. The present study reveals that urban centres act as sources of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd and cause metallic sediment pollution in rivers of the Ganga Plain.