Biosolids In Agriculture Research Articles

Environmental evaluation of the life cycle of elephant grass fertilization-Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone-using chemical fertilization and biosolids.

Law 12305/10, National Solid Waste Policy of Brazil, banned the disposal in landfills of any solid waste that could be converted to another use. Sludge produced at Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants, which contains components characteristic of fertilizers, falls into this category. This type of sludge, also known as a biosolid, has great potential to replace commercial chemical fertilization. The use of biosolids in agriculture allows for compliance with new legislation, reducing the burden on landfills and reusing a waste product. The present paper utilizes the life cycle assessment methodology to compare the carbon footprint associated with the use of different quantities of biosolid and selected chemical fertilizers in the production of elephant grass. The IPCC 2013 GWP 100a method, which is based on data published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was selected as the environmental assessment method. The method expresses the emissions of greenhouse gases generated, in kilograms of CO2 equivalent, over a time horizon of 100years. The biosolid quantities used were based on the Brazilian Environment Council Resolution 375. The chemical fertilizer used contained urea, simple superphosphate, and potassium chloride. The use of biosolids in the amounts calculated according to Brazilian standards resulted in a carbon footprint approximately 17.7% lower than the use of the chemical fertilization mix, with similar productivity in both cases. The transportation of biosolids to the experimental area was responsible for the majority of emissions associated with the use of biosolids. Urea synthesis was the largest contributor to emissions resulting from the use of commercial chemical fertilizer, accounting for 73.6% of total emissions.

Bisphenol A in artificial soil: Effects on growth, reproduction and immunity in earthworms

The application of biosolids in agricultural fields is increasing annually. They contain not only nutrients but also xenobiotics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA). These compounds are not regulated in the use of biosolids in agriculture, which highlights the need to assess their effects on soil life, of which earthworms are most abundant of the animal representatives. In this study the effect of BPA on life-history parameters, such as mortality, growth and reproduction, and on immunity, is evaluated for Dendrobaena veneta and Eisenia fetida. Sublethal concentrations were evaluated by a modified OECD artificial soil test. Decline in growth with increasing concentration of BPA was detected during the first two weeks and the opposite effect for the next two, although these differences were only significant at the highest concentration. Reproduction traits were only significantly different for E. fetida, for which the number of juveniles decreased at higher concentrations, thus showing different sensitivity in both species. By using a contact test, the potentially harmful effect of direct contact with BPA was shown to be much higher than in soil (resembling natural) conditions. Finally, results indicate that BPA may not affect the immune system of these animals, at least in terms of coelomocyte viability.

Nutritional (Fe, Mn, Ni, and Cr) and growth responses of rice plant affected by perennial application of two bio-solids.

Trace toxic elements often restrict the land application of different bio-solids in agriculture. In order to evaluate the separate influence of the municipal solid waste compost (MSW), sewage sludge (SS) and combined application with inorganic fertilizers (chemical fertilizer (CF)) on nutritional (Fe, Mn, Ni, and Cr) and growth responses of rice plant, a research was conducted on paddy soil from 2013 to 2015. Obtained results showed that SS levels were superior to MSW in most studied traits. The maximum chlorophyll content (46.52), plant height (162.6cm), biomass (23.33tha-1), soil available Fe (206.26ppm), Ni concentration in the root (14.41ppm) and shoots (3.16ppm), Cr concentration in the root (12.43ppm) and grain (3.65ppm), and Mn concentration in grain (66.938ppm) belonged to SS levels, specially enriched 40tha-1, when it was added to the soil for three continuous years. The highest 1000-grain weight (29.89g), yield (6.86tha-1), harvest index (48.17%), and soil available Mn (712.7ppm), Fe, and Ni concentration in grain (107.92 and 8.79ppm, respectively) were recorded in 3years of applying the enriched 40tha-1 MSW. Accumulation of Ni in grain in critical levels and negative effects of CF treatments on toxic element entry to soil and plant were two important findings of this research that need management.

Biosolid Application to Agricultural Land—a Contribution to Global Phosphorus Recycle: A Review

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient required for plant development. Continuous population growth and rising global demand for food are expected to increase the demand for phosphate fertilizers. However, high–quality phosphate rock reserves are progressively becoming scarce. Part of the increased pressure on P resources could be alleviated by recycling P present in biosolids. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the dynamics of P in biosolid–amended soils, the effects of residual biosolid–borne P in soils, the way in which microorganisms may control P dynamics in biosolid–amended soils and the environmental implications of the use of biosolids as a source of P. Further research is needed to maximize biosolid–borne P uptake by crops and minimize its loss from biosolid–amended soils. The analysis of the microbiological control of P dynamics in biosolid–amended soils indicates interactions of biosolid P with other nutrients such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), suggesting that harmonization of the current regulation on the use of biosolids in agriculture, mainly based on total N and pollutant contents, is needed to better recycle P in agriculture.

Metabolism of pharmaceutical and personal care products by carrot cell cultures

With the increasing use of treated wastewater and biosolids in agriculture, residues of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in these reused resources may contaminate food produce via plant uptake, constituting a route for human exposure. Although various PPCPs have been reported to be taken up by plants in laboratories or under field conditions, at present little information is available on their metabolism in plants. In this study, we applied carrot cell cultures to investigate the plant metabolism of PPCPs. Five phase I metabolites of carbamazepine were identified and the potential metabolism pathways of carbamazepine were proposed. We also used the carrot cell cultures as a rapid screening tool to initially assess the metabolism potentials of 18 PPCPs. Eleven PPCPs, including acetaminophen, caffeine, meprobamate, primidone, atenolol, trimethoprim, DEET, carbamazepine, dilantin, diazepam, and triclocarban, were found to be recalcitrant to metabolism. The other 7 PPCPs, including triclosan, naproxen, diclofenac, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, sulfamethoxazole, and atorvastatin, displayed rapid metabolism, with 0.4–47.3% remaining in the culture at the end of the experiment. Further investigation using glycosidase hydrolysis showed that 1.3–20.6% of initially spiked naproxen, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and gemfibrozil were transformed into glycoside conjugates. Results from this study showed that plant cell cultures may be a useful tool for initially exploring the potential metabolites of PPCPs in plants as well as for rapidly screening the metabolism potentials of a variety of PPCPs or other emerging contaminants, and therefore may be used for prioritizing compounds for further comprehensive evaluations.

Long-term use of biosolids as organic fertilizers in agricultural soils: potentially toxic elements occurrence and mobility.

The presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) may hinder a more widespread application of biosolids in agriculture. At present, the European Directive 86/278/CEE limit the total concentrations of seven metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd and Hg) in agricultural soils and in sewage sludges used as fertilizers but it has not taken into consideration the potential impacts of other emerging micropollutants that may be present in the biosolids as well as their mobility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation and mobility of 13 elements (including regulated metals and other inorganic species) in agricultural soils repeatedly amended with biosolids for 15 years. Firstly, three digestions programs using different acid mixtures were tested to evaluate the most accurate and efficient method for analysis of soil and sludge. Results demonstrated that sewage sludge application increased concentrations of Pb and Hg in soil, but values did not exceed the quality standard established by legislation. In addition, other elements (As, Co, Sb, Ag, Se and Mn) that at present are not regulated by the Spanish and European directives were identified in the sewage sludge, and significant differences were found between Ag content in soils amended with biosolids in comparison with control soils. This fact can be related to the increasing use of silver nanoparticles in consumer products due to their antibacterial properties. Results from the leaching tests show up that, in general, the mobility degree for both regulated and non-regulated elements in soils amended with biosolids was quite low (<10 %).

Diagnose foliar em mudas de pinhão-manso (Jatropha Curcas L.) produzidas com biossólido

O uso do biossólido na agricultura tem-se mostrado a melhor alternativa ambiental e econômica para o destino do lodo de esgoto. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial nutricional do biossólido para produção de mudas de pinhão-manso em tubetes. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação tendo, como substrato, esterco bovino, vermiculita e biossólido. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com três repetições em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, correspondendo às concentrações de biossólido no substrato (0, 10, 20, 30 e 40%) e ao tratamento ou não das sementes de pinhão-manso com fungicida. Aos 60 dias foi realizada análise foliar. Relativo às concentrações de biossólido verificou-se efeito significativo para os macronutrientes N, P, Ca, Mg e S e micronutrientes B, Cu, Mn e Zn. O tratamento de sementes teve efeito significativo para o Zn. As folhas apresentaram concentração de macronutrientes com a seguinte ordem: N &gt; K &gt; Mg &gt; Ca &gt; P &gt; S. O acúmulo de micronutrientes apresentou a seguinte ordem: Fé &gt; Mn &gt;Zn &gt; B &gt; Cu. Há grande contribuição do biossólido nos teores de nitrogênio, enxofre e micronutrientes foliares, em plantas de pinhão-manso.

A multi-technique investigation of copper and zinc distribution, speciation and potential bioavailability in biosolids

The use of biosolids in agriculture continues to be debated, largely in relation to their metal contents. Our knowledge regarding the speciation and bioavailability of biosolids metals is still far from complete. In this study, a multi-technique approach was used to investigate copper and zinc speciation and partitioning in one contemporary and two historical biosolids used extensively in previous research and field trials. Using wet chemistry and synchrotron spectroscopy techniques it was shown that copper/zinc speciation in the biosolids was largely equivalent despite the biosolids being derived from different countries over a 50 year period. Furthermore, copper speciation was consistently dominated by sorption to organic matter whereas Zn partitioned mainly to iron oxides. These data suggest that the results of historical field trials are still relevant for modern biosolids and that further risk assessment studies should concentrate particularly on Cu as this metal is associated with the mineralisable biosolids fraction.

Effects of the application of biosolids on some chemical, biological and physical properties in an Andisol from southern Chile

An important issue for soil conservation and waste disposal is the use of biosolids in agriculture and for land reclamation. Most biosolids contain valuable nutrients that could be used to improve soil fertility. The aim of this work was to establish the effects of the application of biosolids on some chemical, biological and physi- cal properties in an Andisol from southern Chile. This study was carried out un- der farm conditions during the wheat (Triticum aestivum) growing cycle. Five land plots of 10 x 4 m each were prepared: control soil (TAT), chemical fertilisation (TAF) and applications equivalent to 30 ton biosolids/ha (TA30), 60 ton biosolids/ ha (TA60) and 90 ton biosolids ha -1 (TA90). The soil samples of both treatment and non-treatment groups were collected after the application of biosolids, after sowing and before the wheat harvest. The evaluated chemical soil parameters were modified by the application of biosolids. Base levels of organic carbon, pH and P increased. Biological activity measured by the evolution of C-CO 2 followed the sequence TA90>TA60>TA30>TAF>TAT. The physical properties evaluated, namely water infiltration rate, accumulated infiltration and water retention capacity, all increased with the increasing dose of biosolids. The results show a strong correlation between the biosolids dose applied and the change in the soil properties studied.

Using Data Mining to Predict Soil Quality after Application of Biosolids in Agriculture

The amount of biosolids recycled in agriculture has steadily increased during the last decades. However, few models are available to predict the accompanying risks, mainly due to the presence of trace element and organic contaminants, and benefits for soil fertility of their application. This paper deals with using data mining to assess the benefits and risks of biosolids application in agriculture. The analyzed data come from a 10-yr field experiment in northeast France focusing on the effects of biosolid application and mineral fertilization on soil fertility and contamination. Biosolids were applied at agriculturally recommended rates. Biosolids had a significant effect on soil fertility, causing in particular a persistent increase in plant-available phosphorus (P) relative to plots receiving mineral fertilizer. However, soil fertility at seeding and crop management method had greater effects than biosolid application on soil fertility at harvest, especially soil nitrogen (N) content. Levels of trace elements and organic contaminants in soils remained below legal threshold values. Levels of extractable metals correlated more strongly than total metal levels with other factors. Levels of organic contaminants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were linked to total metal levels in biosolids and treated soil. This study confirmed that biosolid application at rates recommended for agriculture is a safe option for increasing soil fertility. However, the quality of the biosolids selected has to be taken into account. The results also indicate the power of data mining in examining links between parameters in complex data sets.

Does soil biology hold the key to optimized slurry management? A manifesto for research

The application of agricultural biosolids to land is likely to increase on farms as pressures intensify to manage nutrients and carbon, especially with regard to slurry. Although much work has been carried out in this area, it has tended to focus on specific aspects of the application-use cycle, without a coherent framework and notably the role of soil biology has been little studied in this context, or considered appropriately in the development and application of slurry management systems. In this review article we present a hypothesis that the configuration of the soil microbial community is determined by the history of long-term inputs to which the community has been subjected and that the resultant configuration determines the instantaneous responses of the associated soil to the presence of slurries, and posit a set of critical questions which would effectively test this.

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.

Quality Protocols for Biosolids – Securing the Future

ABSTRACT The government and the regulator in the UK have a program to develop a series of Quality Protocols (QP) whose purpose is to identify the point at which particular materials cease to be waste and therefore when waste regulation controls no longer apply. This paper will report on a UKWIR research project whose objectives are to: − establish criteria for biosolids to achieve ‘product’ status; − develop a QP for the use of biosolids in agriculture; − assess criteria for the use of biosolids used in land reclamation, co-composting and as a fuel. The aims of the QP for biosolids used in agriculture are to: − judge at what point the material can be considered as a product and not a waste and hence lighten the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (WMLR) administrative burden; − provide procedures which would provide assurance to the stakeholders that the requirements of the Safe Sludge Matrix and the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations were being adhered to; − provide a useful lobbying tool to influence the drafting of future EU Directives and UK Regulations. A modular approach to the QP based on the principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) have been applied in order to accommodate the different types of sludge treatment and to control all the stages of the whole process from controlling potential contaminants at source through to land application. The benefits of gaining QP status are that the confidence of stakeholders will be assured by its independently audited rigor, the oversight by regulators can be lightened and those who apply good practice can differentiate themselves from those who do not. The Biosolids QP is a means of securing the future of land application.

The use of a national communication program to secure future biosolids outlets in Norway

Norway is among the leading countries in the world regarding the quantity and quality of treated sludge (biosolids) recycled to agriculture. However, for nearly 3 years ago the Norwegian Farmer's Union requested a scientific risk assessment of the use of biosolids for agricultural purposes. Considering the scepticism towards use of biosolids in agriculture in the neighbouring countries and possible impacts on domestic market mechanism, it cannot be taken for granted that agricultural outlets will continue to be the main recycling route in Norway in the future To meet these challenges the Norwegian Water and Wastewater Association (NORVAR) has developed a national communication program in order to enhance mutual confidence and information transfer between the major stakeholders. The main objective of the program is to promote public acceptance and confidence in the utilitarian value of recycled biosolids. The program was implemented in 2005 as a 3 year program period and comprises objectives, strategies and measures respectively. Experiences indicate that implementing the communication strategy will play an important role in securing biosolids recycling routes in Norway in the future. The paper will give a brief presentation of the program, experiences, results achieved, challenges and the way forward.

Comparison between pine bark and coconut husk sorption capacity of metals and nitrate when mixed with sewage sludge

Waste products such as biosolids and wood wastes have been frequently used in container production of plants. The use of biosolids in agriculture is a beneficial mean of recycling the by-products of waste-water treatment. However, care must be taken to avoid environmental or human health problems via run-off and leaching. The objective of this work is to compare the retention capacity of cadmium, lead, zinc and nitrate between pine bark (PB) and coconut fibre (F) when mixed with increasing amounts of composted sewage sludge (CSS) (0%, 15% and 30% (v/v)). Substrates were packed into leaching columns and irrigated with deionised water every 2 days. Leachates were collected during 1 month, and nitrate, Zn, Cd, Pb, EC and pH were monitored along the experiment. PB columns leached lower amount of nitrate than the coconut fibre ones. The same trend was observed for Zn, Cd and Pb. It could be said, that in order to minimize the environmental risks of using sewage sludges our results indicate that it is preferred to mix the sludge with pine bark instead than with coconut husk.

Fate of organotins in sewage sludge during anaerobic digestion

Adsorption onto sewage sludge is an important process for the elimination of tributyltin (TBT) from wastewater. However as the disposal of sewage sludge to agricultural land is a significant route for recycling biosolids, there exists an issue as to whether the potential long-term build-up of organotins in agricultural soil is acceptable, from a human health and environmental point of view. For the sustainable use of biosolids in agriculture it is essential to control and reduce the quantities of persistent pollutants such as organotins in sewage sludge. In this study, a sampling program was designed to establish the levels of TBT (and other organotins) in sewage sludge and their reduction during anaerobic treatment and processing prior to disposal. Experiments were also undertaken to assess the fate of TBT in laboratory scale anaerobic digesters where the influence of digester operating parameters could be evaluated. Organotin concentrations were determined using capillary gas chromatography with flame photometric detection. The results demonstrated that the majority of TBT remained concentrated in the solid phase (sewage sludge). Concentrations of TBT in sewage sludge were approximately 18 mg kg(-1) (dry weight) and both laboratory experiments and fieldwork demonstrated that degradation of TBT during anaerobic digestion of sludge was minimal.

Association between intestinal parasitic infections and type of sanitation system in rural El Salvador

To identify demographic, behavioural and environmental determinants of intestinal parasitic infection, evaluate the impact of a variety of dry sanitation systems on intestinal parasitic infection, and evaluate the safety of using stored biosolids in agriculture in order to guide future sanitation interventions in rural areas of El Salvador. Interviews were conducted with 109 households in eight communities where double-vaulted and solar urine-diverting desiccating latrines, pit latrines or no latrines were used. Faecal samples from 499 individuals were tested for enteric helminths and protozoa. Users of solar desiccating latrines had the lowest prevalence of enteric parasite infection. Double-vault, urine-diverting desiccating latrines effectively reduced the transmission of some pathogens, but may not achieve the conditions sufficient for the complete destruction of the more environmentally persistent pathogens, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. Contact with inadequately treated latrine biosolids was associated with an increased risk of Ascaris infection. Solar latrines were associated with the overall lowest prevalence of enteric parasitic infections. Members of households where latrine biosolids were used in agriculture had a higher prevalence of infection than those where biosolids were buried. We therefore recommend the promotion of solar latrines in rural areas of El Salvador over other dry sanitation systems, and recommend that stored biosolids not be used in agriculture.

Biosolids recycling: Nitrogen management and soil ecology

Biosolids are municipal wastewater treatment solids that meet regulatory standards for land application. Most biosolids are a rich source of N, P, and micronutrients. Although the use of biosolids on food crops remains controversial in the public eye, decades of research have led to the development of regulations for the safe and beneficial use of biosolids in agriculture. Emerging areas of research include biosolids in commercial and home horticulture, the fate of pathogens and organics in biosolids, the use of biosolids in the remediation of contaminated sites, and biosolids effects on soil ecology. Nutrient management remains the most critical day-to-day issue for land application of biosolids. Recent research on plant-available nitrogen (PAN) in biosolids has found that N availability is similar over a range of biosolids processing types, and that growing-season climate is a key factor affecting available N. Regionally based predictions of PAN have been developed for the United States, and could be extended into Canada. Relatively little is known about the effects of biosolids applications on soil ecology, but soil nematodes offer an opportunity to evaluate the structure and function of the soil ecosystem following biosolids applications. We have studied responses of nematode communities to application of municipal biosolids and composts, in forage production systems and orchards. Both types of amendments increased the abundance of enrichment opportunists, for up to 3 yr after single applications. These data on the persistence of increased enrichment opportunists have provided insight into the longevity of amendment-induced enhancement of biological activity and nutrient cycling. Cumulative biosolids applications of 90 Mg ha-1 have caused reductions in abundance of pollutant-sensitive Dorylaimida. The extent to which this change is the result of metal or nutrient loading is unclear and deserves more detailed study. Key words: Biosolids, plant-available nitrogen, soil ecology, nematodes

Hygienic and ecological risks connected with utilization of animal manures and biosolids in agriculture.

In recent years the fate of human and animal pathogen microorganisms as a potential pollutant of the environment has been paid increased attention. Substantial quantities of these compounds and their metabolites are excreted, flushed down the drain, discarded as waste, or left over in animal feedlots. After passing to the sewer, several of these compounds are not adequately eliminated by the methods that are currently used in sewage treatment. Substantial quantities of biosolids and livestock manure end up on agricultural land. Effective sanitation of the environment, particularly of some of its special parts, which can be a source of spreading of diseases, plays an important role in prevention of infectious diseases. In this respect special attention should be paid to the disinfection of infected farm animal excrements. Sanitation of excrements should, on the one hand, ensure effective inhibition of infectious agents and, on the other hand, comply with the requirement of preserving the composition of the manure so it can be used in agricultural production.

Copper Partitioning Among Mineral and Organic Fractions in Biosolids

Environmental Context.Only a portion of the total amount of heavy metals present in sewage biosolids is accessible to organisms, including plants, and therefore only that portion presents any possible toxicity threat. However, metals such as copper, which are commonly associated to a large degree with the organic fraction, may become more accessible over time as organic components degrade. Determining the extent of partitioning of Cu between the organic and inorganic fractions may provide an indication of any long-term risks associated with utilisation of biosolids in agriculture. Abstract.Metal partitioning between organic and mineral fractions in biosolids may provide an indication of the long-term risks associated with land application of the material. For example, metals found to partition into the organic phase may pose a potential threat when the organic matter is decomposed, whereas metals bound in the mineral fraction would be expected to remain stable over time (given no changes in other environmental conditions) owing to the stability of mineral components. Therefore the question of which components bind copper in biosolids, and whether the sorption capacity is maintained over time, was addressed in the present study. Biosolids incubated for 21 months and non-incubated controls were examined. The solid–solution distribution coefficient (Kd) for Cu was measured in whole biosolids and in biosolid organic and mineral fractions via batch experiments employing the radioactive isotope 64Cu. The mineral fraction was isolated by NaOCl oxidation, whereas the organic fraction was isolated using HF. Results found the relative importance of mineral and organic fractions to Cu sorption varies between biosolids, and in some cases can vary over time. Reduction in sorption capacity caused by losses of organic matter in some biosolids suggests the possibility of increased availability of biosolid metals over time.