scholarly journals The Effect of Biochar Mixed with Compost on Heavy Metal Concentrations in a Greenhouse Experiment and on Folsomia Candida and Eisenia Andrei in Laboratory Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Goldan ◽  
Valentin Nedeff ◽  
Narcis Barsan ◽  
Emilian Mosnegutu ◽  
Andrei Victor Sandu ◽  
...  

Organic wastes treated, used on agricultural land, can replace inorganic fertilizers, due to physical and chemical properties that improve soil and crop quality on long-term. In this study, was used biochar produced from sewage sludge, compost obtained from cattle manure, and mixtures made from biochar-compost in different concentration, at 5 t/ha and 30 t/ha, application rates. The aim of the study is to determine the influence of this organic wastes on the heavy metals bioavailability in greenhouse conditions and on Folsomia candida and Eisenia Andrei, used as test organisms under laboratory conditions. Compared to control variants, the use of biochar mixed with compost in different concentration at 5 t/ha and 30 t/ha, application rates, in a greenhouse experiment did not significantly affect the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb). Reproduction of collembolans has not been influenced by increasing application rate of the mixtures, and by concentrations of biochar or compost. The earthworms recorded weight losses, only in the experimental treatments with sewage sludge biochar used in different concentrations, at both application rates.

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 585
Author(s):  
Catalina Iticescu ◽  
Puiu-Lucian Georgescu ◽  
Maxim Arseni ◽  
Adrian Rosu ◽  
Mihaela Timofti ◽  
...  

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture decreases the pressure on landfills. In Romania, massive investments have been made in wastewater treatment stations, which have resulted in the accumulation of important quantities of sewage sludge. The presence of these sewage sludges coincides with large areas of degraded agricultural land. The aim of the present article is to identify the best technological combinations meant to solve these problems simultaneously. Adapting the quality and parameters of the sludge to the specificity of the land solves the possible compatibility problems, thus reducing the impact on the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented sludge were monitored and optimal solutions for their treatment were suggested so as to allow that the sludge could be used in agriculture according to the characteristics of the soils. The content of heavy metals in the sewage sludge was closely monitored because the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer does not allow for any increases in the concentrations of these in soils. The article identifies those agricultural areas which are suitable for the use of sludge, as well as ways of correcting some parameters (e.g., pH), which allow the improvement of soil quality and obtained higher agricultural production.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
M T Morera ◽  
J. Echeverría ◽  
J. Garrido

The recycling of sewage sludge to agricultural land results in the slow accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the bioavailability of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn applied to soils in urban anaerobically stabilized sewage sludge. The soils were Lithic Haplumbrept (Lh), Calcixerollic Xerochrept (Cx1 and Cx2) and Paralithic Xerorthent (Px). Sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus L) were grown in the soils following amendment with the sludge. The addition of sewage sludge markedly increased the average dry weight of the plants in the soils that had lower yields without sludge addition (Lh, Cx2, and Px). The acid pH of the Lh soil favoured the bioavailability of Zn from sewage sludge. The bioavailability of Cu was greater in the alkaline soils than in the acidic soil (Lh), which can be attributed to the high organic matter content of the Lh soil which complexes Cu and impairs its uptake by the plants. The concentration of metals in the plants increased with the sewage sludge dose. The effect of the soil type on the metal concentration in plants was greater that the effect of the dose. Key words: Soils, sewage sludge, heavy metals, bioavailability, sunflower


1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 413-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Qiao ◽  
Goen Ho

When sewage sludge is used as a soil conditioner, heavy metal contamination can limit its application rates. The potential hazard of heavy metals is, however, dependent on the physico-chemical forms of the metals in the sludge and soil. Bauxite refining residue (red mud) has been used to reduce the mobility and availability of heavy metals in municipal solid waste compost. In the present research a sequential step extraction was employed to investigate metal speciation (into exchangeable, bound to carbonate, to Mn & Fe oxides, to organic matter and in residue phase) and the effect of red mud on metal speciation in sewage sludge for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The effect of red mud addition on metal distribution in sewage sludge compost was significant. Red mud addition can effectively reduce the metal mobility and the potential hazard of releasing metals from sludge due to the further breakdown of organic matter. Drying of sludge makes heavy metals more available. Red mud addition will be desirable in such a case. Plant available metals (determined by DTPA extraction) are, however, not as effectively reduced except for Pb and Zn.


1983 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wong ◽  
J.G. Henry

Abstract Spreading of sewage sludges on agricultural land is an attractive sludge management option because it combines beneficial reuse and disposal at the same time. However, it is important to reduce the metal content in the sludge in order to minimize the health hazard associated with metal uptake by plants and its subsequent accumulation in the food chain. Treatment of sludge with acid for metal removal is not practical because a large amount of acid is required. Typically 0.5 to 0.8 g of H2SO4/g dry weight of sludge will be required to achieve over 70% removal of cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni). Lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) are not significantly removed. A biological process called bacterial leaching, which has been used commercially for extracting copper and uranium from low grade ores, was reviewed and its potential for removing heavy metals from anaerobically digested sewage sludge was investigated. Leaching experiments were conducted and the results showed that about 80 to 90% removal of cadmium, zinc and nickel, and 60 to 70% removal of copper were possible. The acid requirement was significantly reduced because only 0.15 g of H2SO4/g dry weight of sludge was needed.


2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 303-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Zain ◽  
H. Basri ◽  
F. Suja' ◽  
O. Jaafar

Some of the major concerns when applying sewage sludge to land include the potential effect on pH and cation exchange capacity; the mobility and the accumulation of heavy metals in sludge treated soil; the potential of applying too much nutrients and the problems associated with odors and insects. The main objective of this study is to identify the effects of sewage sludge application on the physical and chemical properties of sludge treated soil. Sewage sludge was applied to soil at various rates ranging from 0 L/m2 to 341 L/m2. In order to simulate the natural environment, the study was carried out at a pilot treatment site (5.2 m × 6.7 m) in an open area, covered with transparent roofing material to allow natural sunlight to pass through. Simulated rain was applied by means of a sprinkler system. Data obtained from sludge treated soil showed that the pH values decreased when the application rates were increased and the application period prolonged. The effect of sewage sludge on cation exchange capacity was not so clear; the values obtained for every application rate of sewage sludge did not indicate any consistent behaviour. The mobility of heavy metals in soils treated with sludge were described by observing the changes in the concentration of the heavy metals. The study showed that Cd has the highest mobility in sludge treated soil followed by Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni and Pb.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1477
Author(s):  
Naeimeh Vali ◽  
Lars-Erik Åmand ◽  
Aurélie Combres ◽  
Tobias Richards ◽  
Anita Pettersson

Sewage sludge is regarded as a potential source for soil fertilizer However, the direct utilization of sewage sludge in agricultural land is restricted since it also contains heavy metals, pathogens, and toxic compounds. Pyrolysis of the sewage sludge destroys the organic pollutants and partly volatilizes the heavy metals. In this study, pyrolysis of sewage sludge was carried out in order to determine the optimum residence time and temperature to recover the phosphorous and remove heavy metals from the resultant sewage sludge char (SSC). Pyrolysis was conducted on dried sewage sludge (DSS) by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and high-temperature oven with an N2-atmosphere. Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES) was used to determine the concentration of P and trace elements in the resulting solid char fraction. A combination of chemical fractionation (step-by-step leaching) of the DSS and thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were utilized to estimate the availability of phosphorous and removal of heavy metals in the SSC fraction at different temperatures. The results from the thermodynamics calculation were in line with the measured chemical composition of the SSC. Furthermore, the energy contents of the SSC obtained at different temperatures were measured. The pyrolysis evaluation results indicate that phosphorous was enriched in the char, while lead, zinc, and cadmium were significantly removed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e0807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada Elloumi ◽  
Dalel Belhaj ◽  
Boutheina Jerbi ◽  
Mohamed Zouari ◽  
Monem Kallel

The proposal to use sewage sludge (SS) on agricultural fields as a sustainable way to dispose of the waste is based on its high organic and nutrients content. However, the presence of heavy metals (HMs) in sludge can contaminate crops and accumulate in the food chain. The aim of this study was to assess changes in soil fertility, biochemical responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Rio Grande) seedlings and the availability of HMs with increased rate application of SS (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5%). Leaf chlorophyll content, nutritional status, proline, membrane peroxidation, stomatal conductance and HM accumulation were investigated. Results showed that the soil pH decreased, whereas soil salinity, organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable Na, Ca, K and HM content increased significantly with increasing application rates of SS. Among the three HMs (Zn, Cu and Cr), Zn had the highest capacity for transferring from soil into plants. Low metal translocation was observed from roots to leaves. The 7.5% SS dose decreased biomass production and caused a decline in chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. However, lipid peroxidation and proline contents increased. Therefore, the use of 2.5 and 5% doses of sewage sludge in agriculture would be an efficient and cost-effective method to restore the fertility of soil and an environment-friendly solution for disposal problems.


2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-60
Author(s):  
Ricardo Gonçalves Cesar ◽  
Silvia Gonçalves Egler ◽  
Renata De Carvalho Jimenez Alamino ◽  
Helena Polivanov ◽  
Raphael Corrêa da Silva ◽  
...  

Sewage Sludge (SEL) has been used in agricultural activities to improve physical and chemical properties of soils. However, this compound also contains very high levels of heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms, which can cause serious negative effects on biota and human health. This paper aims to assess potential toxicity of latosols and chernosols amended with SEL, using Eisenia andrei earthworms. Acute toxicity and behavioral tests were performed according to ASMT (2004) and ISO (2002) procedures, respectively. Heavy metals determination was made by Atomic Absorption, and mineralogical characterization by Ray-X Difratometry. Biomass loss was evaluated considering average individual weight. Mercury, lead, zinc and cooper determination in SEL in natura and soils amended with SEL revealed values higher than that recommended by Brazilian legislation. SEL addition to the soils caused no mortality to the organisms, while SEL in natura provoked lethal effects on 100% of the earthworms. Latosol in natura demonstrated higher mortality in comparison to chernosol in natura Behavioral tests indicated that 98,3% and 96,43% of the organisms avoided SEL in natura and latosol with SEL, respectively. However, only 31% of the organisms avoided chernosol with SEL, suggesting a lower level of toxicity in comparison to latosol. Possibly the natural properties of the studied soils (fertility, organic matter content, clay mineralogy, etc.) played an important role in the avoidance behavior of the organisms. Probably expansive clays presence in chernosol stimulates ions adsorption and their concentrations decreasing in soil solution; consequently contaminants bioavailability also tends to decrease. Biomass loss results revealed that the SEL addition decreased the weight loss of the tested organisms, and biomass losses were higher for latosol than for chernosol. In conclusion, it is expected that these results can be used in human health and ecological risk assessment, as well as in sustainable reconditioning of tillable soils, facilitating decision actions in environmental control and public health programs


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Martha Alicia Velázquez Machuca ◽  
Juan Rosario Equihua Soriano ◽  
José Venegas González ◽  
José Luis Montañez Soto ◽  
José Luis Pimentel Equihua ◽  
...  

Pyrolysis treatment of sewage sludge to generate biochar is one of the current alternatives for environmental management of this waste. The treatment transforms sewage sludge into biochar, conserves some of the characteristics that give it an important agronomic value and reduces its pathogen content. The objective of this study was to analyze the potential use of the sewage sludge biochar obtained from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of Morelia, Michoacán, México, as an agricultural soil improver considering the physical-chemical properties of the material and its content of nutrients and heavy metals as indicators. The sewage sludge was subjected to pyrolysis (SSB) in an experimental scale reactor that uses solar energy, with six residence times and temperature of 280 to 355 oC. The parameters analyzed were: pH EC, OM, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe available (DTPA and EDTA), elemental composition (C, N, O, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, S, Cl, Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ti, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb). The EC of the SSB obtained was from 592 to 5240 μS cm‑1, pH = 6.33 to 7.02, OM = 3.8 to 5.6%, high contents of C, N, P (31 to 38%, 6.5 to 7.7% and 37.7 to 48.8 g kg‑1, respectively), low Na/Ca ratio and a low content of total and available heavy metals. The properties of the SSB obtained indicate that it can be used as an agricultural soil improver since it is a material with high nutrient content and low environmental risk in terms of its low heavy metal content. These results should be complemented with studies on the response of plants to BLR, monitoring of physical-chemical conditions and analysis of organic contaminants in soil and water where this material is applied.


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