Effects of Sewage-Sludge Application on Soils and Sunflower Yield: Quality and Toxic Element Accumulation

Sunflower nutrition, sewage-sludge nutrients, and trace-metals supply have been studied in detail, but separately. The objective of the present work was to study the effects of sewage sludge on sunflower yields and the accumulation of nutrients and trace metals in soils and in the crop. Three experiments with sunflower were therefore conducted on farms located in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The treatments were control, 7 t dry matter (DM) sewage sludge/ha, and 14 t DM sewage sludge/ha. Soils were Typic Argiudolls and a Typic Hapludoll. At physiological maturity, grains and aerial biomass were harvested. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were determined and, after digestion with acids, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed with inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectrometry (ICPES). Soil samples were taken and analyzed for nutrients and Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Only available P and nitrate-N increased in the soil after the application of sewage sludge. Sunflower yields increased by increasing grains per head. Individual grain weight, oil content, nutrients, and trace-metals concentrations were not affected, nor were the aerial biomass and its composition. Using sewage sludge according to standard regulations does not affect either toxic-metals uptake or sunflower quality.     

Behavior of heavy metals from sewage sludge in a Chernozem of the dry belt in Saxony‐Anhalt/Germany

In a small‐plot trial different doses of sewage sludge (equivalent 82‐330 tons of dry matter per hectare) were incorporated in 0—25 cm depth (1982—1985). The aim of the investigations was to study the fate of the heavy metals Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cr, to determine their concentration in different soil fractions using a sequential extraction method and to ascertain their uptake by Zea mays L. plants. Eleven years after the last application the metals supplied with the sludge had moved as far as 50 cm in depth. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the saturation extract of the sampled soil layers were closely correlated with the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). This result suggests that the heavy metal displacement was partly connected with the DOC movement in the soil. Considerable amounts of Zn and Cd coming from sewage sludge were found in the mobile fractions of the soil. Cu, Ni, and Pb were located especially in organic particles, and Cr was obviously bound by Fe‐oxides. Nine years after the last application the binding species of heavy metals were still different compared with those in the untreated soil. The whole withdrawal of heavy metals by plants yielded <1 % of the applied amounts. In the case of Zn the uptake from the sludge amended soil decreased during the experimental period. No similar tendency was observed for the other elements. In any case their annual variations of uptake exceeded the effect of sludge application.     

施污土壤与污泥中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的形态分布

污泥中的重金属元素是限制其大规模农田利用的重要因素。施污土壤和污泥中重金属的形态研究可以用来评价土壤中重金属的生物有效性以及它们在土壤中的移动性。用修正BCR三步连续提取法进行分步提取研究了污水污泥和施污后的西红柿地土壤中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的形态分布状况。施用污泥堆肥10t hm-2后的土壤中Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn的全量与各种形态含量无明显增加,Cu、Pb、Zn含量远低于国家土壤环境质量标准。土壤中Cu的各种形态分布关系是:残渣态>可还原态=可氧化态>可交换态和弱酸溶解态,Cu在土壤中的存在是以最稳定的残渣态为主。堆肥污泥与干化污泥相比,残渣态Cu的比例明显增加。土壤中Pb的各种形态分布关系是以残渣态和可还原态为主,但可氧化态的分布比例最小。土壤中Cd的可交换态、可还原态和残渣态各占据相等的含量,但可氧化态Cd的含量几乎为零。Zn在土壤中的各种形态分布关系是:可交换态和弱酸溶解态>可氧化态>可还原态>残渣态,Zn在土壤中的存在是以最易迁移的可交换态和弱酸溶解态为主。这些金属元素在土壤中的相对稳定性顺序为:Cu>Pb>Cd>Zn。Zn在土壤中的移动性要远高于Cu。     

热带土壤上连续9年施入污水污泥后重金属Zn, Cd和Pb的分离研究

A long-term field experiment was carried out in the experiment farm of the Sao Paulo State University, Brazil, to evaluate the phytoavailability of Zn, Cd and Pb in a Typic Eutrorthox soil treated with sewage sludge for nine consecutive years, using the sequential extraction and organic matter fractionation methods. During 2005-2006, maize (Zea mays L.) was used as test plants and the experimental design was in randomized complete blocks with four treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of four sewage sludge rates (in a dry basis) : 0.0 (control, with mineral fertilization), 45.0, 90.0 and 127.5 t ha^-1, annually for nine years. Before maize sowing, the sewage sludge was manually applied to the soil and incorporated at 10 cm depth. Soil samples (0-20 cm layer) for Zn, Cd and Pb analysis were collected 60 days after sowing. The successive applications of sewage sludge to the soil did not affect heavy metal (Cd and Pb) fractions in the soil, with exception of Zn fractions. The Zn, Cd and Pb distributions in the soil were strongly associated with humin and residual fractions, which are characterized by stable chemical bonds. Zinc, Cd and Pb in the soil showed low phytoavailability after nine-year successive applications of sewage sludge to the soil.     

Effect of sewage sludge and its biochar on chemical properties of two calcareous soils and maize shoot yield

Little information is available regarding the effect of sewage sludge biochar on soil properties and crop yield. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge (S) and its biochar (B) on maize shoot yield, nutrients and heavy metals uptake in two calcareous soils. The amendments were applied at the rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 Mg ha^?1. Moreover, NK treatment was included to compare the effects of S and B with conventional fertilization. At harvest time, plant shoots and soil samples were collected for yield, nutrients uptake and chemical analyses. The highest shoot dry matter was obtained in the S treatment. The B application in the clay loam and loam soils resulted in 5.2% increment and 17.7% decrement of shoot dry matter relative to the control, respectively. Shoot dry matter in the NK treatment was significantly higher than in the control. B application decreased Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb uptake by maize shoot. DTPA-extractable Pb in B-amended soils was lower than in control, while an inverse trend was obtained for available Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. Biochar application at the rate of 7.3 Mg ha^?1 might be suggested for maize cultivation in clay loam soils.     

Comparison of routine soil tests and EPA method 3050 as extractants for heavy metals in Delaware soils

Abstract

Agricultural use of sewage sludges can be limited by heavy metal accumulations in soils and crops. Information on background levels of total heavy metals in soils and changes in soil metal content due to sludge application are; therefore, critical aspects of long‐term sludge monitoring programs. As soil testing laboratories routinely, and rapidly, determine, in a wide variety of agricultural soils, the levels of some heavy metals and soil properties related to plant availability of these metals (e.g. Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, pH, organic matter, texture), these labs could participate actively in the development and monitoring of environmentally sound sludge application programs. Consequently, the objective of this study was to compare three soil tests (Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTP A) and an USEPA approved method for measuring heavy metals in soils (EPA Method 3050), as extractants for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in representative agricultural soils of Delaware and in soils from five sites involved in a state‐monitored sludge application program.

Soil tests extracted less than 30% of total (EPA 3050) metals from most soils, with average percentages of total metal extracted (across all soils and metals) of 15%, 32%, and 11% for the Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTPA, respectively. Statistically significant correlations between total and soil test extractable metal content were obtained with all extractants for Cu, Pb, and Zn, but not Cd and Ni. The Mehlich 1 soil test was best correlated with total Cu and Zn (r=0.78***, 0.60***, respectively), while the chelate‐based extractants (DTPA and Mehlich 3) were better correlated with total Pb (r=0.85***, 0.63***). Multiple regression equations for the prediction of total Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, from soil test extractable metal in combination with easily measured soil properties (pH, organic matter by loss on ignition, soil volume weight) had R² values ranging from 0.41*** to 0.85***, suggesting that it may be possible to monitor, with reasonable success, heavy metal accumulations in soils using the results of a routine soil test.     

污泥污水在棉花上的施用: Ⅰ.对土壤性质的影响

A field experiment with cotton was conducted on a well drained,calcareous,clay loamy Typic Xerochreph to investigate the utility of sewage sludge as a partial substitute for fertilizers and the influence of tis application on the basic soil properties and heavy metal concentrations.The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with five treatments replicated four times each.Sewage sludge came from the treatment plant of the municipality of Volos,Central Greece,with the following characteristics:organic matter content 36.6%,pH(H2O1:5)6.89,CaCO3 53.4g kg^-1,total N 265.g kg^-1,ttal P33.5g kg^-1,and total K 968mg kg^-1 soil.Heavy metal concentrations were Cd 5.24,Pb 442,Ni38,Cu 224,Zn1812,and Mn 260mgkg^-1 dry weight,respectively.The soil was high in potassium(K)and poor in available phosphorus(P).The results showed that sewage sludge application increased cotton yield and K and P concentrations in cotton leaves,Soil pH was reduced in the case of higher sewage sludge rate.Electrical conductivity,organic matter content,totalN,and avaiable P were significantly increased.Total concentrations of Zn,Pb,and Cu were slightly increased.DTPA-extractable Zn,Cu,and Mn were also significantly increased.Available forms of all heavy metals,except Cd,were significantly correlated with organic matter content in a positive way and negatively with soil pH.     

Comparative availability to wheat of metals from sewage sludge and inorganic salts

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the availability of metals from sewage sludge and inorganic salts, and the effect of pH and soil type on yield and metal (Zn, Cu, Cd and Ni) uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. ‘holly’). Soils used in this study were Hartsells sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous Thermic Typic Hapludult) and Decatur silty clay loam (Clayey, kaolinitic, Thermic Rhodic Paleudult). Two treatments of sewage sludge containing metals were applied at the rate of 20 and 100 mt ha^?1. Inorganic Salts of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni were applied (as sulfate salts) at concentrations equivalent to those found in the 20 and 100 mt ha^?1 sludge. One treatment consisted of inorganic metals plus sewage at the 20 Mg ha^?1 rate. Two soil pH levels, one at field pH (below 6.0) and another pH adjusted between 6.5 and 7.0 were used. Wheat plants were harvested four weeks after germination. Two more subsequent harvests were made at four week intervals. For each harvest, dry matter yield increased as the rate of sludge application increased for both soil types. The soil pH also influenced the dry matter yield. High yield was observed when the pH was adjusted between 6.5 to 7.0 for both soils. An increase in yield was also observed at each subsequent harvest for most of the treatments. Inorganic salt treatments produced lower dry matter yields when compared with the sludge. Both sludge application and metal salts increased plant tissue concentration of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni at field pH for both soils. However, increasing the pH of the soil for both sludge and inorganic salt treatments generally decreased the tissue concentration of the above metals.     

Trace metal analysis of sewage sludge and soils in Bahrain

Trace metals such as Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Fe were determined in sewage sludge produced at a sewage treatment plant in Bahrain (Tubli) and soils. The soils, both untreated and treated with the sludge, are used for agricultural purposes in Bahrain. The Trace-metals level showed the following range (μg g^?1 dry weight); Pb, 242 to 609; Zn, 704 to 836, Cu, 329 to 512; Ni, 23 to 41; Cd, 1.8 to 3.9 and Fe, 1867 to 4284. The data show the degree to which untreated soils have already been contaminated with trace elements. The level of trace-elements found in sludge showed the following range (μg g^?1 dry weight); Pb, 140 to 186; Zn, 597 to 836; Cu, 348 to 449; Ni, 47 to 53; Cd 5.7 to 9.2 and Fe, 5950 to 8520. Mean levels were generally close or lower than mean concentration reported in the United Kingdom and the United States for sludge. They were also lower than the suggested concentration limits for application of sludge on agricultural land, which is one of the most cost effective and attractive techniques for sludge disposal. Soils treated with this sludge (after 1 yr) were also analyzed and showed substantial enhancement of the available level of trace elements in the soil. This eventually will lead to an increase in the trace-element level in plants grown for human or animal consumption. This could have phytotoxic effects, and the possibility of toxic effects on live-stocks and human beings.     

Prediction of available heavy metals by six chemical extractants in a sewage sludge‐amended soil

Abstract

In a field experiment conducted during three years in a sandy‐loam, calcareous soil, one aerobically digested sewage sludge (ASL) and another anaerobically digested sewage sludge (ANSL) were applied at rates of 400, 800, and 1,200 kg N/ha/year, and compared with mineral nitrogen fertilizer at rates of 0, 200, 400, and 600 kg N/ha/year in a cropping sequence of potato‐corn, potato‐lettuce, and potato, the first, second, and third year, respectively. Results showed that the highest values of soil extractable metals were obtained with aqua regia, whereas the lowest levels with DTPA. All metal (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr) gave significant correlations between metal extracted with the different extractants and metal loading applied with the sludges. The metal extractable ion increased over the control for Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr extracted with DTPA, EDTA (pH 8.6) and 0.1 N HC1, for Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr extracted with EDTA (pH 4.65) and AB‐DTPA, and for Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cr extracted with aqua regia. The level of metal‐DTPA extractable resulted highly correlated with that obtained by the other methods, except the Ni‐aqua regia extractable. The soil extractable elements which showed significant correlations with metals in plant were: Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni in potato leaves, Cd, Ni, and Pb in corn grain, and Zn and Cd for lettuce wrapper leaves. In general, all the chelate based extractants (DTPA, EDTA pH 4.6, EDTA pH 8.6, AB‐DTPA) were equally useful as indicator of plant available metals in the soil amended with sludge.     

污泥与施污土壤重金属生物活性及生态风险评价

将城市污泥以不同质量比施于土壤中构成污泥混合土壤,研究各污泥配比土壤中重金属的生物活性,并采用三种重金属评价方法(地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法、综合毒性指数模型)和黑麦草对重金属的吸收富集效果来对施污土壤中重金属具有的生态风险性进行评价。结果表明:污泥的添加使土壤中生物活性态Cd、Cu和Zn含量显著增加,对三种重金属具有活化作用,但对Pb却起到钝化作用。生态风险评价结果表明:污泥的添加使土壤中Pb呈现无污染和低生态风险;Cu和Zn呈现中度污染和低生态风险;Cd达到强度污染和重度生态风险,重金属潜在生态风险(RI)总体处于强度生态风险水平。当污泥添加比例大于6:10(污泥S3处理)时,施污土壤中重金属的综合毒性指数高于土壤对照。黑麦草对Cd、Pb、Cu和Zn的富集浓度与施污土壤中对应重金属的生物活性态含量存在显著正幂指数关系,同时黑麦草对施污土壤中Cd、Cu和Pb的富集能力大小与地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对三种重金属具有的生态风险性的评价结果具有一致性。     

Transport of zinc,copper, and lead in a sewage sludge amended calcareous soil

The application of sewage sludge on farmland is practised in many countries since sludge is rich in macro- and micro- nutrients. However, increasing use of sewage sludge on farmland has raised concerns about the potential transport of heavy metals into food chains and groundwater. This study determined for a calcareous soil the effects of sludge application on soil physical properties and transport of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). Secondary anaerobic digested sewage sludge was applied at rates of 0, 25, 50, and 100 t/ha (on a dried weight basis) for four consecutive years and mixed in the top 20-cm of soil. Corn (Zea mays L.) was planted as a spring crop, followed by wheat (Triticum aestivum) as a winter crop. Sludge application increased the dissolved organic matter content and modified the soil structure, increased the soil infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and aggregate stability, and decreased the bulk density. Sludge application greatly increased DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid)-extractable soil metal concentrations to 50 cm depth and significantly to 1 m. In the plots that received four application of 100 t/ha sewage sludge, the mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Pb in subsoil increased by 1600, 7, and 4.5 times, respectively, compared with the control. The results indicate that a combination of enhanced soil physical properties, heavy and inefficient irrigation and high organic matter content with heavy metals cause significant metal mobility. High sludge applications pose risks of groundwater and food chain contamination and rates are best restricted to those reflecting the nutrient demand of crops (20 t/ha every 4 to 5 yr or an average of 4 to 5 t/ha/yr).     

Leaching of heavy metals from sewage sludge through coastal plain soils

Abstract

Three types of sewage sludge are applied to the surface of soil columns of Coastal Plain soils and leached with distilled water. The Zn concentrations in leachate samples from a Sassafras loamy sand soil loaded with an industrial sludge increased with sludge loading rate. All leachate samples contained very low concentrations of Cd, Cr and Cu. Hazardous amounts of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn would not be leached to the groundwater when recommended rates of the tested sludges are applied to Coastal Plain soils under most conditions.     

Dynamics of Organic C Mineralization and the Mobile Fraction of Heavy Metals in a Calcareous Soil Incubated with Organic Wastes

Organic wastes such as sewage sludge and compost increase the input of carbon and nutrients to the soil. However, sewage sludge-applied heavy metals, and organic pollutants adversely affect soil biochemical properties. Therefore, an incubation experiment lasting 90 days was carried out to evaluate the effect of the addition of two sources of organic C: sewage sludge or composted turf and plant residues to a calcareous soil at three rates (15, 45, and 90 t of dry matter ha^–1) on pH, EC, dissolved organic C, humic substances C, organic matter mineralization, microbial biomass C, and metabolic quotient. The mobile fraction of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb) extracted by NH₄NO₃ was also investigated.The addition of sewage sludge decreased soil pH and increased soil salinity to a greater extent than the addition of compost. Both sewage sludge and compost increased significantly the values of the cumulative C mineralized, dissolved organic C, humic and fulvic acid C, microbial biomass C, and metabolic quotient (qCO₂), especially with increasing application rate. Compared to compost, the addition of sewage sludge caused higher increases in the values of these parameters. The values of dissolved organic C, fulvic acid C, microbial biomass C, metabolic quotient, and C/N ratio tended to decrease with time. The soil treated with sewage sludge showed a significant increase in the mobile fractions of Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni and a significant decrease in the mobile fraction of Pb compared to control. The high application rate of compost resulted in the lowest mobility of Cu, Ni, and Pb. The results suggest that biochemical properties of calcareous soil can be enhanced by both organic wastes. But, the high salinity and extractability of heavy metals, due to the addition of sewage sludge, may limit the application of sewage sludge.     

生活污泥对滩涂土壤性质和苏丹草生长及重金属累积的影响

滩涂盐土农业利用的主要障碍是盐分含量过高和缺乏有机质。施用生活污泥可快速提高滩涂土壤有机质含量,加快土壤熟化,但由于担心污泥含有一定量的重金属,其施用受到一定的限制。采用盆栽苏丹草的试验方法,研究滩涂盐土施用不同量的生活污泥后对土壤性质、植物生长和对重金属累积的影响。结果表明,生活污泥施用于滩涂盐土后降低了土壤pH值,提高了EC值和总盐含量;苏丹草的出苗率、株高和鲜重增加;施用污泥提高了苏丹草植株中全氮、全磷及叶绿素的含量,且随施用量的增加而增大,但对植株中全钾的含量无显著影响;苏丹草中Zn、Cd含量随着污泥施用量增加呈增长的趋势,但Pb、Ni、Cu含量变化不大。在试验条件下,所施用污泥中重金属向苏丹草体内转移的比例介于0.13%-13.44%之间。就该种土壤而言,要更为注意含Pb量较高的污泥施用,而Cu则是最为安全的。总体考虑,一次性施用干污泥应控制在8t·667m^-2以下。     

Heavy metals in crops as affected by soil types and sewage sludge rates

Abstract

A municipal sewage sludge was applied at three application rates to three soils in field lysimeters to study the effects of soil and sludge application rate on cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) absorbed by ‘Larker’ barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and by Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Cicla'). Sludge applied at 20, 40, and 100 Mg/ha oven‐dry equivalent were mixed into the top 0.15 m of soil in each lysimeter. In addition, a nil sludge rate (control) received 125 kg N/ha. Metal contents were relatively low in barley grain, higher in barley straw, and highest in Swiss chard. Metal contents in plants increased with increasing sludge loading. Most plants grown on soil amended with the higher sludge rates were too high in Cd (greater than 0.5 mg/kg of dry feed material) to be suitable for animal consumption. No plant materials tested exceeded the suggested maximum Zn, Cu, or Ni levels.     

Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge-Amended Thai Soils

Plough and subsoil layers of two majoragricultural soil series, Rangsit and Thonburi, foundin Bangkok area of Thailand were studied fordetermining the bioavailability and solubilitybehavior of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe)following application of sewage sludge from awastewater treatment plant and a series of laboratoryexperiments. The soils contained low indigenous heavymetals while the sludge contained higher amounts ofheavy metals but in an acceptable range forapplication as plant nutrient source in agriculturalsoil. Applications of sewage sludge increased pH ofthe acid soil and available plant nutrients to thesoils. The heavy metal concentration levels in thesoils also increased. Most partitioned into easilymobile pools and later into sparingly mobile poolsfollowing 12 weeks of incubation time. Bioavailabilityforms of Cd in soil solution were low but that of Cu,Zn, and Mn remained elevated even at 12 weeks of thereaction time. Applied inorganic Zn depressed Cdsorption capacity of two soils studied but it had noeffect on Cd desorption.     

天水苹果园土壤重金属富集状况评价及来源分析

对天水果园表层（0~20 cm）219件土壤样品进行研究,测定5种重金属（Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr和Cd）及有机质含量,以天水小陇山土壤为对照,运用相关分析和主成分分析方法区分土壤中重金属的来源。结果表明,①Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr和Cd含量分别为77.39、23.03、23.62、61.49 mg.kg-1和0.07 mg.kg-1,其中Cd极显著（P〈0.01）高于小陇山土壤,其余4种重金属虽高于小陇山土壤但无显著差异性（P〉0.05）;②研究区土壤Cu、Pb、Cr三者间在0.01或0.001水平上具有显著正相关性,且这3种重金属与土壤有机质具有显著正相关性,其余重金属间不存在显著相关性;③主成分分析显示Cu、Pb和Cr来源相似,主要来自于成土母质,Cd来源于人为施肥因素,Zn的富集受多种因素影响。研究评价结果显示,天水地区果园土壤Cd受人为施肥影响较大,具有一定程度的富集。     

污泥施田后土壤和玉米植株中重金属分布特征

对施污泥剂量分别为10、30和60thm-2的土壤,采用修正的BCR三步连续提取法分步提取并分析Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn的不同形态。利用高压密封消解技术和电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)分析Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn在玉米器官中的分布及其转移富集特征。施污泥土壤中重金属主要以残渣态存在。施污泥量为常规用量的6倍时,即相当于连续6年施污泥的土壤中重金属Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn的含量基本未超过我国土壤环境质量标准。4种重金属在弱酸性土壤中残渣态含量比例的高低依次为CuZnCdPb。施污泥土壤上Pb、Cd在玉米各器官中的平均含量顺序为:茎叶根籽粒;Cu为:根茎叶籽粒;Zn为:根籽粒茎叶。玉米对于各元素的EC值按高低顺序依次为CuZnCdPb。     

Long-term changes in soil and plant metal concentrations in an acidic dredge disposal site receiving sewage sludge

A long-term experiment was conducted to determine the distribution of sludge-borne metals applied to a revegetated acidic dredge spoil disposal site. The initial soil was infertile and highly acidic (pH 2.4). Sewage sludge and lime were applied in 1974 at the rates of 100 and 23 mt ha^?1, respectively, and tilled into the soil to a depth of 20 cm. In 1974 an adjacent site was also revegetated with topsoil and lime but without sludge. Soil and plants were sampled 2, 4 and 16 yr following seeding. After 16 yr the total and DTPA-extractable Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cd decreased in soils to nearly the levels of the control soils. Concentrations of metals in plants also decreased. Decreases in tissue concentrations ranged from 40 to 70% for Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cd and up to 90% for Zn. The results showed that a single 100 mt ha^?1 application of sewage sludge containing high concentrations of metals was a cost-effective method for improving plant growing conditions on highly acidic soils.