Composted Tannery Sludge Research Articles

Physical soil properties after seven years of composted tannery-sludge application

This study was performed to investigate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on the physical properties of tropical sandy soil after seven years of CTS application. CTS was applied to a Fluvisol at five rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 Mg ha-1) in experimental plots (sized 20 m2) with four replications. Water infiltration into the soil was determined in the field with the concentric-ring infiltrometer method. Bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, and microporosity were determined in the soil samples. The permanent CTS application altered the physical properties of the soil and led to a decrease in bulk density. The total porosity, microporosity and macroporosity values in the CTS-applied soil ranged from 44.1–51.7, 34.6–39.4, and 9.1–12.8%, respectively. Water-infiltration rates were significantly influenced by CTS. The cumulative infiltrated water in the soil varied from 21.3–34.7 cm. The basic infiltration rate was lower in the unamended soil and increased with an increase in the rate of CTS application. This study confirmed that the physical soil parameters improved after the permanent CTS application. Therefore, this application may be a suitable strategy for improving physical soil properties over time.

Changes in the bacterial rare biosphere after permanent application of composted tannery sludge in a tropical soil

Composted tannery sludge (CTS) promotes shifts in soil chemical properties, affecting microbial communities. Although the effect of CTS application on the bacterial community has been studied, it is unclear whether this impact discriminates between the dominant and rare species. This present study investigated how the dominant and rare bacterial communities respond over time to different concentrations of CTS application (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 tons/ha) for 180 days. The richness of operational taxonomic units (OTU) was 30-fold higher in the rare than in the dominant biosphere. While some phyla shifted their relative abundance differently in the dominant and rare biosphere, some genera increased their relative abundance under higher CTS concentrations, such as Nocardioides (∼100%), Rubrobacter (∼300%), and Nordella (∼400%). Undominated processes largely governed the dominant biosphere (76.97%), followed by homogeneous (12.51%) and variable (8.03%) selection, and to a lesser extent, the dispersal limitation (2.48%). The rare biosphere was driven by the CTS application as evidenced by the exclusively homogeneous selection (100%). This study showed that the rare biosphere was more sensitive to changes in soil chemical parameters due to CTS application, which evidences the importance explore this portion of the bacterial community for its biotechnological use in contaminated soils.

Microbial co-occurrence network and its key microorganisms in soil with permanent application of composted tannery sludge

Soil microbial communities act on important environmental processes, being sensitive to the application of wastes, mainly those potential contaminants, such as tannery sludge. Due to the microbiome complexity, graph-theoretical approaches have been applied to represent model microbial communities interactions and identify important taxa, mainly in contaminated soils. Herein, we performed network and statistical analyses into microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing data from soil samples with the application of different levels of composted tannery sludge (CTS) to assess the most connected nodes and the nodes that act as bridges to identify key microbes within each community. The network analysis revealed hubs belonging to Proteobacteria in soil with lower CTS rates, while active degraders of recalcitrant and pollutant chemical hubs belonging to Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were found in soils under the highest CTS rates. The majority of classified connectors belonged to Actinobacteria, but similarly to hubs taxa, they shifted from metabolic functional profile to taxa with abilities to degrade toxic compounds, revealing a soil perturbation with the CTS application on community organization, which also impacted the community modularity. Members of Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria were identified as both hub and connector suggesting their role as keystone groups. Thus, these results offered us interesting insights about crucial taxa, their response to environmental alterations, and possible implications for the ecosystem.

Long-term effect of composted tannery sludge on soil chemical and biological parameters.

Composting has been recommended as a suitable alternative for recycling wastes and could improve tannery sludge (TS) before its use. However, the long-term application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) may bring concerns about its effects on soil properties and, consequently, on plants and environment, mainly when considering Cr contamination. In this study, we summarize the responses of soil chemical and biological parameters in a 10-year study with yearly applications of CTS. Chemical and biological parameters were assessed in soil samples, and the multivariate analysis method principal response curve (PRC) was used to show the temporal changes in all the biological and chemical properties caused by CTS. The PRC analysis showed different long-term response patterns of chemical and biological parameters according to the rates of CTS. Interestingly, Cr content increased strongly in the first 5 years and only increased slightly in the following 5 years. The yearly applications of CTS changed the biological and chemical parameters of the soil, negatively and positively, respectively. Organic matter, K and P, increased during the 10 years of application, while soil pH and Cr concentration increased, and soil microbial biomass and enzymes activity decreased.

Nodule microbiome from cowpea and lima bean grown in composted tannery sludge-treated soil

Root nodules can present a diverse bacterial community that contributes to plant growth. However, this bacterial community may vary among different plant species and their response to soil contamination, such as the application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) and Cr contamination. In this study, we assessed the bacterial community in nodules of cowpea and lima bean grown in soils with low and high rates of Cr-rich CTS. Bulk soil samples and nodules from cowpea and lima bean were collected for assessing the bacterial community by high-throughput sequencing. The bacterial diversity and the proportion of specialist bacterial species in the nodules of cowpea were higher than the lima bean. However, the bacterial diversity of the nodule was not influenced by CTS and Cr rate. The microbiome of the nodules was dominated by Proteobacteria (97.6%), followed by Actinobacteria (1.1%), and Firmicutes (0.4%). The dominant bacterial group in the nodules was Bradyrhizobium, accounting for >90% of the sequences. The functional prediction showed 26 groups, with the core functions represented by chemoheterotrophy (32.3%), followed by aerobic chemoheterotrophy (32%), nitrification (12.7%), and ammonia oxidation (11.2%). This study revealed specific differences in the nodule microbiome between the two plants species and, although suggested that the nodule microbiome was not affected by the CTS application, the functional prediction data showed that the treatments with Cr-rich CTS increased the abundance of sequences affiliated to aerobic ammonia oxidation and nitrification in the nodules.

Dynamics of archaeal community in soil with application of composted tannery sludge

Application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) could promote a shift in the structure of soil microbial communities. Although the effect of CTS on bacterial community has been studied, it is unclear how the composition and diversity of archaeal community respond to CTS amendment and which environmental factors drive the community over time. Here, we hypothesize that the Archaea structure and composition respond to CTS amendment over the time. CTS had been previously applied annually along 6 years and this assessment occurred for 180 days following the application in the 7th year by using different rates (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 ton ha−1). We used amplicon 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the changes in the structure of the archaeal community. Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota were the most abundant phyla found in soils with application of CTS, with Thaumarchaeota dominating the sequences in all samples with relative abundances of >98%. We observed a decreasing trend on the archaeal diversity over the time with increasing CTS application rate, together with an increase in the community similarity. The redundancy analyses (RDA) explained 43% of the total variation in operational taxonomic units and identified Na, pH, Cr and P as the main drivers of the archaeal community over time after application of highest CTS rates. CTS application changes the structure of Archaea community, with significant increase of Thaumarchaeota and Aenigmarchaeota groups, which can be further explored for its biotechnological use in contaminated soils.

Capability of plant growth-promoting bacteria in chromium-contaminated soil after application of composted tannery sludge

The aim of this study was to select bacterial strains with biochemical capability to tolerate high concentration of chromium (Cr) in soils. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) were isolated from the root nodules of Phaseolus lunatus and grown in Cr-contaminated soil with the application of composted tannery sludge. Soils were collected from the experimental field with the application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) in five rates: 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 t ha−1 CTS. Bacterial strains were isolated and evaluated for their biochemical capabilities for production of urease, protease, amylase, lipase, catalase, gelatinase, and indole-3-acetic acid, P solubilization, and Cr tolerance. A total of 54 PGPB were isolated from the nodules, being 40%, 37%, 13%, and 10% found in the treatments with 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 t ha−1, respectively. The majority of these isolates presented positive responses for the tests of urease, catalase, and phosphate solubilization, while some isolates were positive for the test of protease, lipase, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatinase, and amylase. We also observed a decrease in the number of isolates able to tolerate high concentration of Cr. Three strains (UFPI-LCC61, UFPI-LCC64, and UFPI-LCC87) presented high biochemical capability and tolerance to Cr. However, the isolate UFPI-LCC87 showed high biochemical capability and tolerance to the highest concentration of Cr. Our results indicated bacterial strains that present potential to be used in soils contaminated with Cr and also for promoting plant growth.

Less abundant bacterial groups are more affected than the most abundant groups in composted tannery sludge-treated soil

The application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) has promoted shifts in soil chemical properties and, therefore, can affect the soil bacterial community. This study assessed the effect of the CTS on the soil bacterial community over time. The CTS was applied at five rates (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 t/ha), and the bacterial community was evaluated for 180 days. The principal curve response (PRC) analysis showed that the most abundant phyla were not influenced by the CTS rates over time, while the analysis of the bacterial community showed that some of the less abundant phyla were influenced by the CTS rates. Similarly, the PRC analysis for the bacterial classes showed the significant effect of the CTS rates. The redundancy analyses for the bacterial phyla and classes showed the relationship between the significant chemical properties and the bacterial community of the soil after the CTS amendment over time. Therefore, there was a shift in the bacterial community over time with the application of the composted tannery sludge. Our study has shown that the less abundant bacterial groups were more influenced by the CTS than the most abundant bacterial groups and that these bacterial groups were driven by soil chemical properties, primarily chromium (Cr) and the soil pH.

<b>Chromium accumulation in maize and cowpea after successive applications of composted tannery sludge

Chromium (Cr) accumulation in soil and plants has been reported after successive applications of tannery sludge, which is a matter of concern because Cr can promote environmental contamination and affect the food chain. In this study, we evaluated the growth of and Cr accumulation in maize and cowpea after seven years of consecutive applications of composted tannery sludge (CTS) under field conditions. The experiment consisted of application of CTS at five levels: 0 (control), 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 Mg ha -1 (dry basis). The growth of and Cr accumulation in maize and cowpea were evaluated at 75 and 65 days after plant emergence, respectively. CTS application increased the shoot biomass of maize and cowpea. Accumulation of Cr was similar for both plant species, with higher accumulation in roots. However, Cr accumulation in grains differed as the CTS doses increased; cowpea accumulated more Cr while maize did not accumulate more Cr in grains with higher CTS doses. In conclusion, application of CTS led to higher growth of maize and cowpea plants, and both species exhibited similar Cr accumulation in roots and shoots.

Responses of soil bacterial community after seventh yearly applications of composted tannery sludge

Composted tannery sludge (CTS) contains organic compounds and inorganic elements, mainly chromium (Cr), and its long-term application in soil can alter the bacterial structure and diversity. Thus, we used the next-generation sequencing to assess the structure and diversity of bacterial communities in soils after 7years of CTS application. CTS was applied at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20Mgha−1 and the soil samples were collected at 75days after application in the seventh year. The most abundant phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi. The abundance of some specific groups increased with application of CTS, such as Anaerolinea S0208 and Firmicutes. Six bacterial genera differed between amended and unamended soil. The abundance of Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Symbiobacterium, Clostridium, Microlunatus, and Actinomadura increased after application of CTS. The Redundancy Analysis between the structure of the bacterial community and chemical variables in soil did not cluster all treatments clearly, but showed Cr, pH, and organic C as significant chemical variables that influenced the bacterial communities. Application of CTS in soil has a primary effect on the bacterial communities that, negatively, alter the bacterial diversity and community similarity, while that, positively, it permits to select specific bacterial groups able to resist and biodegrade contaminants.

Time-dependent effect of composted tannery sludge on the chemical and microbial properties of soil.

Composting has been suggested as an efficient method for tannery sludge recycling before its application to the soil. However, the application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) should be monitored to evaluate its effect on the chemical and microbial properties of soil. This study evaluated the time-dependent effect of CTS on the chemical and microbial properties of soil. CTS was applied at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 Mg ha-1 and the soil chemical and microbial properties were evaluated at 0, 45, 75, 150, and 180 days. Increased CTS rates increased the levels of Ca, Cr, and Mg. While Soil pH, organic C, and P increased with the CTS rates initially, this effect decreased over time. Soil microbial biomass, respiration, metabolic quotient, and dehydrogenase increased with the application of CTS, but decreased over time. Analysis of the Principal Response Curve showed a significant effect of CTS rate on the chemical and microbial properties of the soil over time. The weight of each variable indicated that all soil properties, except β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase and microbial quotient, increased due to the CTS application. However, the highest weights were found for Cr, pH, Ca, P, phosphatase and total organic C. The application of CTS in the soil changed the chemical and microbial properties over time, indicating Cr, pH, Ca, phosphatase, and soil respiration as the more responsive chemical and microbial variables by CTS application.

Bradyrhizobium sp. inoculation ameliorates oxidative protection in cowpea subjected to long-term composted tannery sludge amendment

Oxidative stress can strongly affect biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in nodules; therefore, the antioxidant system in nodules works to reduce the damage caused by the deleterious effects of oxidizing compounds and maintain adequate BNF. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate variables related to BNF and oxidative metabolism in the nodules of cowpea inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. and grown in soils subjected to different levels of composted tannery sludge amendment. A randomized block design was used with a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, involving four doses of composted tannery sludge (0, 5, 10, and 20 t ha−1) for uninoculated cowpea and cowpea inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. The cowpea inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. showed a better growth response than the cowpea inoculated with native rhizobia. Increases in the number of nodules, nodule dry mass, nitrogen fixation efficiency and nitrogen content were recorded in the cowpea inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. grown in soils with composted tannery sludge. The cowpea nodules colonized by Bradyrhizobium sp. showed lower hydrogen peroxide levels, while leghemoglobin was maintained at the highest levels. The catalase and phenol peroxidase enzymes were positively modulated in the nodules of the cowpea inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. We conclude that the presence of composted tannery sludge affects the establishment and development of the symbiosis between rhizobia and cowpea, mainly between native soil rhizobia and cowpea. When cowpea was inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp., it was concluded that these plants were able to maintain better plant growth and nitrogen capture and lower oxidative stress in their nodules. Thus, inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. could be a useful tool for minimizing the deleterious effects of exposing plants to composted tannery sludge and for ensuring plant growth and productivity.

Repeated application of composted tannery sludge affects differently soil microbial biomass, enzymes activity, and ammonia-oxidizing organisms.

Repeated application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) changes the soil chemical properties and, consequently, can affect the soil microbial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responses of soil microbial biomass and ammonia-oxidizing organisms to repeated application of CTS. CTS was applied repeatedly during 6years, and, at the sixth year, the soil microbial biomass, enzymes activity, and ammonia-oxidizing organisms were determined in the soil. The treatments consisted of 0 (without CTS application), 2.5, 5, 10, and 20tha(-1) of CTS (dry basis). Soil pH, EC, SOC, total N, and Cr concentration increased with the increase in CTS rate. Soil microbial biomass did not change significantly with the amendment of 2.5Mgha(-1), while it decreased at the higher rates. Total and specific enzymes activity responded differently after CTS application. The abundance of bacteria did not change with the 2.5-Mgha(-1) CTS treatment and decreased after this rate, while the abundance of archaea increased significantly with the 2.5-Mgha(-1) CTS treatment. Repeated application of different CTS rates for 6years had different effects on the soil microbial biomass and ammonia-oxidizing organisms as a response to changes in soil chemical properties.

CHROMIUM IN SOIL ORGANIC MATTER AND COWPEA AFTER FOUR CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL APPLICATIONS OF COMPOSTED TANNERY SLUDGE

Tannery sludge contains high concentrations of inorganic elements, such as chromium (Cr), which may lead to environmental pollution and affect human health The behavior of Cr in organic matter fractions and in the growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) was studied in a sandy soil after four consecutive annual applications of composted tannery sludge (CTS). Over a four-year period, CTS was applied on permanent plots (2 × 5 m) and incorporated in the soil (0-20 cm) at the rates of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 Mg ha-1 (dry weight basis). These treatments were replicated four times in a randomized block design. In the fourth year, cowpea was planted and grown for 50 days, at which time we analyzed the Cr concentrations in the soil, in the fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin fractions, and in the leaves, pods, and grains of cowpea. Composted tannery sludge led to an increase in Cr concentration in the soil. Among the humic substances, the highest Cr concentration was found in humin. The application rates of CTS significantly increased Cr concentration in leaves and grains.

Soil microbial properties after 5 years of consecutive amendment with composted tannery sludge.

Composting has been recognised an alternative method to tannery sludge recycling and afterwards to be used in agriculture. As the tannery sludge contains salts and chromium, the application of composted tannery sludge (CTS) should be performed carefully to minimise negative effects on soil microbial properties. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of 5-year repeated CTS amendment on soil microbial biomass (SMB) and enzyme activities in a tropical soil. CTS was applied during 5 years at 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 Mg ha(-1), and at the fifth year, the microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), basal and substrate-induced respiration (SIR), metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and dehydrogenase (DHA) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis were determined in the soil samples. Soil MBC and MBN showed the highest values with the amendment of 5 Mg ha(-1) CTS. Soil respiration increased with the increase in CTS rates, while SIR showed the highest values with the amendment of 0, 2.5 and 5 Mg ha(-1) CTS. DHA activity showed the highest values with the amendment up to 2.5 Mg ha(-1), while FDA hydrolysis increased up to the rate of 5 Mg ha(-1) CTS. The results show that after 5 years of permanent amendment of CTS, soils amended with 2.5 Mg ha(-1) have SMB and enzymatic activities similar to those in unamended soil.

Short communication. Growth and nodulation of cowpea after 5 years of consecutive composted tannery sludge amendment

Tannery industry releases high amounts of tannery sludge which are currently composted and used in agricultural soils. The consecutive amendment of such composted tannery sludge (CTS) may affect soil microrganisms, such as rhizobia. In this study, we evaluated the effects of 5-year repeated CTS amendment on growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) CTS was applied in different amounts (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 Mg/ha) to a sandy soil. Amendment of CTS increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium and chromium content. Plant growth, nodulation, N accumulation, and cowpea yield increased up to 10 Mg/ha; however, above this rate, these variables decreased. After 5 years of CTS amendment, the increase in soil chemical properties, particularly EC and Na content, exerted negative effects on the growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea.

Soil Microbial Biomass After Three-Year Consecutive Composted Tannery Sludge Amendment

Brazilian industry produces huge amounts of tannery sludge as residues, which is often disposed by landfilling or land application. However, consecutive amendment of such composted industrial wastes may cause shifts in soil microbial biomass (SMB) and enzyme activity. This study aimed to evaluate SMB and enzyme activity after 3-year consecutive composted tannery sludge (CTS) amendment in tropical sandy soils. Different amounts of CTS (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 t ha−1) were applied to a sandy soil. The C and N contents of SMB, basal and substrate-induced respiration, respiratory quotient (qCO2), and enzyme activities were determined in the soil samples collected after CTS amendment for 60 d at the third year. After 3 years, significant changes were found in soil microbial properties in response to different CTS amounts applied. The organic matter and Cr contents significantly increased with increasing CTS amounts. SMB and soil respiration peaked following amendment with 10.0 and 20.0 t ha−1 of CTS, respectively, while qCO2 was not significantly affected by CTS amendment. However, soil enzyme activity decreased significantly with increasing CTS amounts. Consecutive CTS amendment for 3 years showed inconsistent and contrasting effects on SMB and enzyme activities. The decrease in soil enzyme activities was proportional to a substantial increase in soil Cr concentration, with the latter exceeding the permitted concentrations by more than twofold. Thus, our results suggest that a maximum CTS quantity of 5.0 t ha−1 can be applied annually to tropical sandy soil, without causing potential risks to SMB and enzyme activity.

Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel, and Lead in a Tropical Soil after 3 Years of Consecutive Applications of Composted Tannery Sludge

Agricultural use of tannery sludge (TS) may increase risks to soils. Thus, composting is recognized as one of the most suitable alternatives for TS recycling. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) accumulation in soil after 3 years. Soil samples were collected 60 days after CTS application. After 3 years, The CTS increased Cr and Ni content, while Cd and Pb contents decreased. The third year, Cr contents showed linear increases as CTS rates were applied. The application of CTS, after 3 years, in the 2.5, 5, and 10 Mg ha−1 increased Cr significantly (140.7%, 159.7%, and 19%, respectively) and Ni (32%, 53%, and 43.8%, respectively) contents in the soil surface layer. This means that consecutive amendments of CTS increase Cr contents in the soil and plants.

<b>Heavy metals and yield of cowpea cultivated under composted tannery sludge amendment

The study aimed to evaluate the phytoavailability of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb) concentrations in leaves and grains, and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) grown in soil amended with composted tannery sludge (CTS) for two consecutive years. The experiments were carried out in 2009 and 2010 in soil amended with CTS at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 Mg ha -1 . The CTS amendment rates applied were above 10 Mg ha -1 , increased Cr concentrations in cowpea leaves. There were not increases in the heavy metals concentrations in cowpea grains after two years. In 2009, the application of CTS amendment did not promote increase in plant yield. However, in 2010, CTS amendment at 10 and 20 Mg ha -1 increased cowpea yield. The amendment of composted tannery sludge linearly increased linearly the concentration of Cr in the leaves of cowpea after two years. Composted tannery sludge promoted increases in cowpea yield.

Soil microbial biomass after two years of the consecutive application of composted tannery sludge - doi: 10.4025/actasciagron.v36i1.17160

Because the agricultural use of tannery sludge may cause increased risks to soils, composting is recognized as one of the most suitable alternative for tannery sludge recycling. Experiments were conducted under field conditions to evaluate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on the soil microbial biomass and trace elements after two years of consecutive applications. The following five treatments were used: 0 (without CTS application), 5, 10, 20 and 40 ton ha -1 of CTS (dry basis). Soil samples were collected at 60 days after the CTS application at 0-20 cm depth. The CTS application promoted changes in the soil microbial biomass C (SMB-C) and N (SMB-N). In the first year, significant increases in the SMB-C and SMB-N were observed with the application of 10 ton ha -1 . Furthermore, CTS application increased the Cr content in the soil after two years of application.