Integral assessment of pollution of sod-podzolic soils by application of sewage sludge under Miscanthus x giganteus

Abstract

ABSTRACT Much of Ukraine’s soil has been and is still being degraded by military operations. Its revival will need a lot of organic matter, much of which can be provided by municipal sewage sludge. Any associated environmental risks may be minimised by applying the sludge to energy crops, in particular, Miscanthus x giganteus. The introduction of municipal sewage sludge at the rate of 20-40t/ha, or composted with straw, increases the content of total and mobile forms of heavy metals in the soil. But, the resulting concentrations of heavy metals remain well within permissible limits. The integral indicator of soil cover pollution for applications of various kinds of fertiliser applied at a rate equivalent to N90P90K90 fluctuates within insignificant limits (20–23) with a tendency to increase in treatments with the highest rate of application of sewage sludge.