Long-term Sewage Sludge Application Research Articles

Microbial Multitrophic Communities Drive the Variation of Antibiotic Resistome in the Gut of Soil Woodlice (Crustacea: Isopoda).

Multitrophic communities inhabit in soil faunal gut, including bacteria, fungi, and protists, which have been considered a hidden reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, there is a dearth of research focusing on the relationships between ARGs and multitrophic communities in the gut of soil faunas. Here, we studied the contribution of multitrophic communities to variations of ARGs in the soil woodlouse gut. The results revealed diverse and abundant ARGs in the woodlouse gut. Network analysis further exhibited strong connections between key ecological module members and ARGs, suggesting that multitrophic communities in the keystone ecological cluster may play a pivotal role in the variation of ARGs in the woodlouse gut. Moreover, long-term application of sewage sludge significantly altered the woodlice gut resistome and interkingdom communities. The variation portioning analysis indicated that the fungal community has a greater contribution to variations of ARGs than bacterial and protistan communities in the woodlice gut after long-term application of sewage sludge. Together, our results showed that changes in gut microbiota associated with agricultural practices (e.g., sewage sludge application) can largely alter the gut interkingdom network in ecologically relevant soil animals, with implications for antibiotic resistance, which advances our understanding of the microecological drivers of ARGs in terrestrial ecosystem.

Soil Quality Assessment after 25 Years of Sewage Sludge vs. Mineral Fertilization in a Calcareous Soil

The aim of this work was to identify the most sensitive soil quality indicators and assess soil quality after long-term application of sewage sludge (SS) and conventional mineral fertilization for rainfed cereal production in a sub-humid Mediterranean calcareous soil. The treatments included six combinations of SS at different doses (40 t ha−1 and 80 ha−1) and frequencies (every 1, 2 and 4 years), plus a control with mineral fertilization, and a baseline control without fertilization. Twenty-five years after the onset of the experiment, 37 pre-selected physical, chemical and biological soil parameters were measured, and a minimum data set was determined. Among these indicators, those significantly affected by treatment and depth were selected as sensitive. A principal component analysis (PCA) was then performed for each studied depth. At 0–15 cm, PCA identified three factors (F1, F2 and F3), and at 15–30 cm, two factors (F4 and F5) that explained 71.5% and 67.4% of the variation, respectively, in the soil parameters. The most sensitive indicators (those with the highest correlation within each factor) were related to nutrients (P and N), organic matter, and trace metals (F1 and F4), microporosity (F2), earthworm activity (F3), and exchangeable cations (F5). Only F3 correlated significantly (and negatively) with yield. From these results, we concluded that soil quality can be affected in opposite directions by SS application, and that a holistic approach is needed to better assess soil functioning under SS fertilization in this type of agrosystem.

Effect of the Long-Term Application of Sewage Sludge to A Calcareous Soil on Its Total and Bioavailable Content in Trace Elements, and Their Transfer to the Crop

Sewage sludge (SS) can be used as an organic amendment in agricultural soils, provided they comply with the relevant legislation. This use can incorporate traces of metals into the soil, which can cause environmental or human health problems. In the study period between 1992 and 2018 (26 years), it was observed that the use of SS as an organic fertilizer significantly increased the total concentration of Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Hg of this study between 55.6% (Hg) and 7.0% (Ni). The concentration of Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd extracted with DTPA, also increased between 122.2% (Zn) and 11.3% (Cd). In contrast, the Mn concentrations extracted with Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid (DTPA)were 6.5% higher in the treatments without SS. These changes in the soil had an impact on the crop, which showed a significant increase in the concentration of Zn, Cu and Cr in the grain, between 15.0% (Cr) and 4.4% (Cu), and a decrease in the concentration of Mn, Cr and Ni in the barley straw when SS was added to the soil between 32.2% (Mn) and 29.6% (Ni). However, the limits established by current legislation on soil protection and food were not exceeded. This limited transfer to the crop, is likely due to the high content of carbonates and organic matter in the soil, which limit the bioavailability of most of the trace metals (TM) in the soil. As a conclusion, we observe that the use of SS as an organic amendment increased the concentration of some TM in the soil, in its bioavailable forms, and in the crop.

Long-term sewage sludge application in a tropical Oxisol: Effects on acidity and availability of micronutrientes

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of acidity and availability of micronutrients on a sandy clay loam Oxisol grown with soybeans (summer) and black oat (autumn/winter), after long-term applications of biodigested sewage sludge (BS) and centrifuged sewage sludge (CS). The experiment was conducted in Botucatu, SP, Brazil, from 2002 to 2014, using a randomized block design, in 2×4 factorial scheme, with four repetitions. Treatments corresponded to six biennial applications of BS and CS at four doses: 0, 2, 4 and 8 Mg ha-1 (dry basis). Soil samples up to 0.60 m depth were taken after twelve years, and pH, potential acidity, exchangeable acidity and micronutrient contents were evaluated. The CS applications of 4 and 8 Mg ha-1 led to pH values within the recommended range up to depths of 0.10 and 0.20 m, respectively, whereas BS applications did not result in adequate pH values in any layer. The increased soil pH caused by CS applications resulted in a proportional reduction in soil potential acidity, whereas BS applications resulted in high value of potential acidity (70 mmolc dm-3) in all layers. The CS applications resulted in low Al3+ concentrations up to 0.20 m depth, whereas BS applications led to high Al3+ concentrations from the 0.05-0.10 m layer. The successive applications of both sludges resulted in Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ concentrations that exceeded the maximum values allowed in all soil layers. Low boron concentrations were found in the soil, and pH was the determinant factor for it.

Is the long-term application of sewage sludge turning soil into a sink for organic pollutants?: evidence from field studies in the Czech Republic

Long-term microscale field experiments established at four sites in the Czech Republic (since 1996) were used for an assessment of the severity of the wide-scale contamination of treated soils by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as a result of the long-term regular pollutant load via sewage sludge and farmyard manure applications and for an estimation of the potential environmental risk caused by long-term pollutant inputs to agricultural soils. The experimental plots were treated as follows: (i) NPK mineral fertilization (NPK); (ii) sewage sludge (SS1); (iii) sewage sludge applied at three times the rate compared to SS1 (SS2); (iv) farmyard manure (FYM); and (v) untreated control. Except for antibiotics, which showed results for all analyses below the detection limit, all groups of the analyzed compounds showed measurable contents in the treated soils. Among the POPs, the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were detected at two locations at levels exceeding the Czech preventive values for their contents in agricultural soils (7.5 μg/kg for dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane family, 20 μg/kg for hexachlorbenzene, and 10 μg/kg for α-hexachlorocyclohexane), regardless of the treatment. Similarly, elevated contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were occasionally observed without any substantial relationship to the fertilizer application scenario. Thus, these contaminants are connected with atmospheric deposition in the given areas (PAHs) and their long-term stability (OCPs) even several decades after their ban; the role of the fertilizer composition was negligible. The levels of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances, brominated flame retardants, and synthetic musk compounds tended to increase in the sewage sludge–treated plots, indicating that sewage sludge can contribute to the abundance of these compounds in soil, although the contaminant levels determined do not represent a direct environmental risk. The levels of these contaminants in sewage sludge and sludge-treated soils should be regularly monitored in further research.

Long-term organic fertilization increased antibiotic resistome in phyllosphere of maize

Phyllosphere contains various microorganisms that may harbor diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, we know little about the composition of antibiotic resistome and the factors influencing the diversity and abundance of ARGs in the phyllosphere. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR approaches were employed to investigate the effects of long-term (over 10 years) organic fertilization on the phyllosphere bacterial communities and antibiotic resistome. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes dominated in the phyllosphere bacterial communities. Long-term application of sewage sludge and chicken manure altered the phyllosphere bacterial community composition, with a remarkable decrease in bacterial alpha-diversity. A total of 124 unique ARGs were detected in the phyllosphere. The application of sewage sludge and chicken manure significantly increased the abundance of ARGs, with a maximum 2638-fold enrichment. Variation partitioning analysis (VPA) together with network analysis indicated that the profile of ARGs is strongly correlated with bacterial community compositions. These results improve the knowledge about the diversity of plant-associated antibiotic resistome and factors influencing the profile of ARGs in the phyllosphere.

Long-term field application of sewage sludge increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil

Sewage sludge and manure are common soil amendments in crop production; however, their impact on the abundance and diversity of the antibiotic resistome in soil remains elusive. In this study, by using high-throughput sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR, the patterns of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in a long-term field experiment were investigated to gain insights into these impacts. A total of 130 unique ARGs and 5 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were detected and the long-term application of sewage sludge and chicken manure significantly increased the abundance and diversity of ARGs in the soil. Genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams, tetracyclines, and multiple drugs were dominant in the samples. Sewage sludge or chicken manure applications caused significant enrichment of 108 unique ARGs and MGEs with a maximum enrichment of up to 3845 folds for mexF. The enrichment of MGEs suggested that the application of sewage sludge or manure may accelerate the dissemination of ARGs in soil through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Based on the co-occurrence pattern of ARGs subtypes revealed by network analysis, aacC, oprD and mphA-02, were proposed to be potential indicators for quantitative estimation of the co-occurring ARGs subtypes abundance by power functions. The application of sewage sludge and manure resulted in significant increase of bacterial diversity in soil, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla (>10% in each sample). Five bacterial phyla (Chloroflexi, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes and Bacteroidetes) were found to be significantly correlated with the ARGs in soil. Mantel test and variation partitioning analysis (VPA) suggested that bacterial community shifts, rather than MGEs, is the major driver shaping the antibiotic resistome. Additionally, the co-occurrence pattern between ARGs and microbial taxa revealed by network analysis indicated that four bacterial families might be potential hosts of ARGs. These results may shed light on the mechanism underlining the effects of amendments of sewage sludge or manure on the occurrence and dissemination of ARGs in soil.

Changes in fertility parameters and contents of heavy metals of soddy-podzolic soils upon the long-term application of sewage sludge

The effect of the long-term sewage sludge (SS) application on the chemical, agrophysical, and biological properties of a soddy-podzolic soil (Umbric Albeluvisols Abruptic) was studied. Regular SS application in the course of five crop rotations (1976–2013) ensured the improvement of the soil fertility parameters, i.e., a rise in the contents of humus, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium; a better state of the soil adsorption complex, bulk density, and aggregation; and higher cellulolytic, nitrification, and urease activities. The efficiencies of SS and the traditional organic fertilizer (cattle manure) were compared. The effect of the long-term application of SS on the accumulation of heavy metals in the soils was also studied. It was found that the application of SS caused a rise in the bulk content of heavy metals and in the contents of their acid-extractable and mobile forms by 1.1–6.0 times. However, the maximum permissible concentrations of heavy metals in the soils were not exceeded. In the soil subjected to the application of SS for more than 25 years, the cadmium concentration somewhat exceeded the maximum permissible concentration.

Efficiency of Repeated Phytoextraction of Cadmium and Zinc from an Agricultural Soil Contaminated with Sewage Sludge

Long-term application of sewage sludge resulted in soil cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) contamination in a pot experiment conducted to phytoextract Cd/Zn repeatedly using Sedum plumbizincicola and Apium graceolens in monoculture or intercropping mode eight times. Shoot yields and soil physicochemical properties changed markedly with increasing number of remediation crops when the two plant species were intercropped compared with the unplanted control soil and the two monoculture treatments. Changes in soil microbial indices such as average well colour development, soil enzyme activity and soil microbial counts were also significantly affected by the growth of the remediation plants, especially intercropping with S. plumbizincicola and A. graveolens. The higher yields and amounts of Cd taken up indicated that intercropping of the hyperaccumulator and the vegetable species may be suitable for simultaneous agricultural production and soil remediation, with larger crop yields and higher phytoremediation efficiencies than under monoculture conditions.

A study on temporal trends and estimates of fate of Bisphenol A in agricultural soils after sewage sludge amendment

Temporal concentration trends of BPA in soils were investigated following sewage sludge application to pasture (study 1: short term sludge application; study 2: long term multiple applications over 13years). The background levels of BPA in control soils were similar, ranging between 0.67–10.57ngg−1 (mean: 3.02ngg−1) and 0.51–6.58ngg−1 (mean: 3.22ngg−1) for studies 1 and 2, respectively. Concentrations in both treated and control plots increased over the earlier sampling times of the study to a maximum and then decreased over later sampling times, suggesting other sources of BPA to both the treated and control soils over the study period. In study 1 there was a significant treatment effect of sludge application in the autumn (p=0.002) although no significant difference was observed between treatment and control soils in the spring. In study 2 treated soils contained considerably higher BPA concentrations than controls ranging between 12.89–167.9ngg−1 (mean: 63.15ngg−1). This and earlier studies indicate the long-term accumulation of multiple contaminants by multiple sewage sludge applications over a prolonged period although the effects of the presence of such contaminant mixtures have not yet been elucidated. Fugacity modelling was undertaken to estimate partitioning of Bisphenol A (soil plus sewage: pore water: soil air partitioning) and potential uptake into a range of food crops. While Bisphenol A sorbs strongly to the sewage-amended soil, 4% by mass was predicted to enter soil pore water resulting in significant uptake by crops particularly leafy vegetables (3.12–75.5ngg−1), but also for root crops (1.28–31.0ngg−1) with much lower uptake into cereal grains (0.62–15.0ngg−1). This work forms part of a larger programme of research aimed at assessing the risks associated with the long-term application of sewage sludge to agricultural soils.

Changes in the distribution of chemical elements throughout the profile of a soddy-podzolic soil after the long-term application of sewage sludge

The distributions of the total and water-soluble macro- and microelements throughout the profile of a loamy sandy soddy-podzolic soil were studied six years after the long-term (for more than 15 years) application of sewage sludge and lime as ameliorants. It was shown that the anthropogenic factor affecting the distributions of the metals in the soil remained predominant. The highest differences compared to the control were observed for P, S, Cl, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb. A second accumulative soil horizon was developed, which was an additional source of contamination with mobile metals for the adjacent environments. Six years after the cessation of the application, the contents of Cu, Zn, and Ni exceeded their PPCs for sandy and loamy sandy soils.

Major nutrients, heavy metals and PBDEs in soils after long-term sewage sludge application

Purpose Two contrasting soils receiving long-term application of commercial sewage sludge fertilizers in China were investigated to determine the concentrations of selected nutrients, heavy metals (HMs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) present to evaluate the impact of sewage sludge fertilizer on soil fertility and environmental risk.

Fractionation of lead in soil by isotopic dilution and sequential extraction

Environmental contextThe chemical reactivity of lead in soil is difficult to assess and depends on both soil conditions and the origins of the lead. This paper tests the combined application of lead isotopic techniques and chemical extraction against our understanding of lead fractionation in soils. Possibly against expectation, it appears that the ‘reactivity’ of lead can be high and yet there is tentative evidence that the original source of the metal affects its fractionation in soil, even after long contact times. Abstract‘Reactivity’ or ‘lability’ of lead is difficult to measure using traditional methods. We investigated the use of isotopic dilution with 204Pb to determine metal reactivity in four soils historically contaminated with contrasting sources of Pb, including (i) petrol-derived Pb, (ii) Pb/Zn minespoil, (iii) long-term sewage sludge application and (iv) 19th century urban waste disposal; total soil Pb concentrations ranged from 217 to 13 600 mg kg–1. A post-spike equilibration period of 3 days and suspension in 5.0 × 10–4 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid provided reasonably robust conditions for measuring isotopically exchangeable Pb. However, in acidic organic soils a dilute Ca(NO3)2 electrolyte may be preferable to avoid mobilisation of ‘non-labile’ Pb. Results showed that the reactive pool of soil Pb can be a large proportion of the total soil lead content but varies with the original Pb source. A comparison of isotopic exchangeability with the results of a sequential extraction procedure showed that (isotopically) ‘non-labile’ Pb may be broadly equated with ‘residual’ Pb in organic soils. However, in mineral soils the ‘carbonate’ and ‘oxide-bound’ Pb fractions included non-labile forms of Pb. The individual isotopic signatures of labile and non-labile Pb pools suggested that, despite prolonged contact with soil, differences between the lability of the original contaminant and the native soil Pb may remain.

Modelling phytoremediation by the hyperaccumulating fern, Pteris vittata, of soils historically contaminated with arsenic

Pteris vittata plants were grown on twenty-one UK soils contaminated with arsenic (As) from a wide range of natural and anthropogenic sources. Arsenic concentration was measured in fern fronds, soil and soil pore water collected with Rhizon samplers. Isotopically exchangeable soil arsenate was determined by equilibration with 73As V. Removal of As from the 21 soils by three sequential crops of P. vittata ranged between 0.1 and 13% of total soil As. Ferns grown on a soil subjected to long-term sewage sludge application showed reduced uptake of As because of high available phosphate concentrations. A combined solubility-uptake model was parameterised to enable prediction of phytoremediation success from estimates of soil As, ‘As-lability’ and soil pH. The model was used to demonstrate the remediation potential of P. vittata under different soil conditions and with contrasting assumptions regarding re-supply of the labile As pool from unavailable forms.

The influence of long-term sewage sludge application on the activity of phosphatases in the rhizosphere of plants

Model experiments using rhizoboxes were carried out in order to evaluate the influence of different plants (wheat, rape) on the changes in water extractable contents of P, the pH/H2O value and the activity of acidic and alkaline phosphatase in soil of plant rhizosphere. For this experiment, a Cambisol with different long-term fertilizing systems was used: (i) control (with no fertilizer application), (ii) sewage sludge, and (iii) manure. A lower content of water-soluble P was observed in close vicinities of root surfaces (up to 2 mm) at all the studied variants. The control (non-treated) variant reflected a significantly lower content of water-soluble P in the rhizosphere compared to the fertilized ones. The activities of the acidic and alkaline phosphatases were significantly higher in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil (soil outside the rhizosphere). The long-term application of organic fertilizers significantly increased phosphatase activity; the activity of the acidic phosphatase was significantly higher in the rhizosphere of rape plants compared to wheat. The variant treated with manure exhibited an increased activity of both the acidic and alkaline phosphatases compared to the variant treated with sewage sludge. In the case of the variant treated long-term with sewage sludge, the portion of inorganic P to total soil P content proportionally increased compared to the manure-treated variant. Soil of the rape rhizosphere showed a trend of lower pH/H<sub>2</sub>O value of all variants, whereas the wheat rhizosphere showed an opposite pH tendency.

Long-term sewage sludge application and wastewater irrigation on the mineralization and sorption of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in soils

The disposal of animal manures, wastewater and sewage sludge to agricultural land can lead to the transfer of steroid hormones like 17beta-estradiol and testosterone into soils, surface and groundwaters. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different site histories like wastewater irrigation and sewage sludge application on hormone mineralization and sorption in soils. Two agricultural sites with different long-term treatment histories with wastewater and sewage sludge were sampled. The mineralization of (14)C-17beta-estradiol and (14)C-testosterone was studied during incubations at 20 degrees C over three weeks. Despite the structural resemblance of both hormones the mineralization rate of 17beta-estradiol was about an order of magnitude lower than that of testosterone in all four soils, reaching 5-7% vs. 50-59%, respectively. Estradiol mineralization was significantly lower in soils with long-term wastewater irrigation than in the corresponding soil with freshwater irrigation. Pre-incubation of the soils with unlabeled hormones or application of the hormones within a wastewater matrix had only minor effects on their mineralization. The results indicate that estradiol mineralization occurs co-metabolically and is limited by sorption, whereas testosterone appears to be utilized directly by soil microorganisms. Sorption of (14)C-17beta-estradiol and (14)C-testosterone to sterile and unsterile soils was determined in batch experiments with CaCl(2) or wastewater solution with hormone concentrations of 0.13-0.0013 mug mg(-1). FREUNDLICH sorption isotherms and parameters like K(F) and log K(oc) values were used to describe the results. The K(F) values for estradiol sorption were generally about 1.2 to 1.6-fold higher than for testosterone. The SOC-normalized partition coefficients K(oc) also differ accordingly and indicate quite large differences in soil organic matter qualities relating to hormone sorption between the soils and treatments. When the hormones were added to the soil within a wastewater matrix less estradiol was sorbed in the solid phase than in the controls with pure water, thus indicating that wastewater contains soluble sorbents.

Effects of heavy metals contained in soil irrigated with a mixture of sewage sludge and effluent for thirty years on soil microbial biomass and plant growth

The use of sewage effluent as a source of nutrients and water in peri-urban crop production is widespread in developing countries. A study was conducted in 2005 at Crowborough and Firle farms (near Harare) to assess effect of Cd on microbial biomass and activity, effect of sewage sludge and effluent on soybean (Glycine max L (Merr)) nodulation, and uptake of Zn and Cu by lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), mustard rape ( Brassica juncea L.), covo ( Brassica napus) and star grass ( Cynodon nlemfuensis). The soil that was used had been irrigated with sewage sludge and effluent for 30 years. Soil collected from Crowborough farm was enriched with Cd to different concentrations (0.4–5 mg Cd kg −1 soil) using Cd(NO 3) 2 and microbial biomass C and N (chloroform-incubation extraction) and respiration rates (CO 2 evolution) determined. A similar experiment to determine the effect of repeated addition of small amounts of Cd to soil over time on the same parameters was conducted. Three vegetables and star grass were grown in a pot experiment and harvested at six weeks after transplanting for the determination of above ground dry matter yield, and Zn and Cu, uptake. In another pot experiment, two soybean varieties, Magoye and Solitaire, were harvested after eight weeks and nodule number and effectiveness, and above ground dry matter yield were then determined. Cd significantly decreased biomass C (68%) and N (73%). Microbial respiration also significantly decreased. It was concluded that long-term application of sewage sludge and effluent to soil has negative effects on soil micro organisms, including Rhizobia. These micro organisms are essential for N-fixation. The damage to Rhizobia, caused diminished nodulation of soybean. Mustard rape and lettuce can accumulate Zn and Cu beyond toxic limits without apparent reduction in growth thereby posing a serious concern to the food chain. The consumption of mustard rape and lettuce grown on soil amended with sewage sludge and effluent at Crowborough and Firle farms poses a health risk to people who consume vegetables grown in this area.

Bioavailability and plant accumulation of heavy metals and phosphorus in agricultural soils amended by long-term application of sewage sludge

Amendment of agricultural soils with municipal sewage sludges provides a valuable source of plant nutrients and organic matter. Nevertheless, addition of heavy metals and risks of eutrophication continue to be of concern. Metal behaviour in soils and plant uptake are dependant on the nature of the metal, sludge/soil physico-chemical properties and plant species. A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate plant production and heavy metal uptake, soil heavy metal pools and bioavailability, and soil P pools and possible leaching losses, in agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge for at least 10 years (F20) compared to non-amended soils (control). Sewage sludge application increased soil pH, N, Olsen-extractable-P, DOC and exchangeable Ca, Mg and K concentrations. Total and EDTA-extractable soil concentrations of Cu and Zn were also significantly greater in F20, and soil metal (Cu, Mn and Zn) and P fractionation altered. Compared to the control, in F20 relative amounts of acid-extractable (Mn, Zn), reducible (Mn, Zn) and oxidisable (Cu, Zn) metal fractions were greater, and a dominance of inorganic P forms was observed. Analyses of F20 soil solutions highlighted risks of PO 4 and Cu leaching. However, despite the observed increases in metal bioavailability sewage sludge applications did not lead to an increase in plant shoot concentrations (in wild plants or crop species). On the contrary, depending on the plant species, Mn and Zn tissue concentrations were within the deficiency level for most plants.

Predicting Metal Uptake and Risk to the Human Food Chain from Leaf Vegetables Grown on Soils Amended by Long-Term Application of Sewage Sludge

The success of risk assessment of metal contaminated soils depends on how precisely one can predict the bio-availability of metals in soil and transfer to the human food chain. In the present investigation, we tested several formulations of the ‘free-ion activity model (FIAM)’ to predict uptake of Cd, Zn and Cu by perpetual spinach (Beta vulgaris, Cicla) grown on a range of soils amended with sewage sludge. The model was parameterised using data measured on samples of pore water extracted by centrifugation and with porous Rhizon samplers installed within the rhizosphere of the growing plants. Free ion activities (M2+) were estimated following speciation of solution data using version 6 of the ‘Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM-VI). For all three metals, the best formulation of the FIAM appeared to require only one hypothetical root sorption site without competition from protons. Values of (M2+) could also be predicted satisfactorily from a pH-dependent Freundlich relation. Thus, from a combined FIAM–Freundlich relation and population dietary information, it was possible to estimate risk (hazard quotients) to consumers from very simple soil measurements: extractable metal content (0.05 M EDTA (Zn and Cu) or 1 M CaCl2 (Cd)), soil humus content and pH. The role of increased soil organic matter content and soil pH, in reducing risk to consumers, is illustrated for Cd in a hypothetical soil at the current UK statutory Cd limit for sludge application to agricultural land.

Bioavailability and crop uptake of trace elements in soil columns amended with sewage sludge products

In order to assess the potential impact of long-term sewage sludge application on soil health, the equivalent of about 25 years of agronomic applications of low-metal (`EQ') sewage sludge products were made to greenhouse soil columns. After a 6-year period of `equilibration', during which time successive crops were grown with irrigation by simulated acid rain, the plant-available quantities of trace elements were estimated in the soils by extraction with 0.01 M CaCl2 at 90 °C, and measured directly by uptake into a crop of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Soil pH had a strong influence on the level of extractable and plant-available metals, and because the tested sludge products affected soil pH differently, pH was directly factored into the comparison of different sludge treatments with controls. CaCl2-extractable levels of several metals (Cu, Zn, Mo), sulfur and phosphorus were found to be higher in the soils amended with organic-rich sludge products than in the control soils. However, extractable Cd and Ni were not significantly elevated by the sludge amendments, presumably because of the low total loading of these metals. Copper, Zn and Mo applied in the form of sludge ash had low soil extractability, suggesting that these trace metals were trapped in high-temperature mineral phases formed during sludge incineration, and resisted subsequent weathering in the soil environment. Extractable soil metals in the alkaline-stabilized sludge treatment were also generally low. Phytotoxicity from the sludge metal loadings (Zn≤125, Cu≤135 kg/ha), was not clearly indicated as long as soil pH was maintained in the 6–7 range by lime amendment. Nevertheless, unexplained depressions in yield were noted with some of the sludge products applied, particularly the dewatered and composted materials. On limed soil columns, the most consistent effect of sludge product amendment on red clover composition was a marked increase in plant Mo.