Accumulation and bioavailability of heavy metals in a soil-wheat/maize system with long-term sewage sludge amendments

A long-term field experiment was carried out with a wheat-maize rotation system to investigate the accumulation and bioavailability of heavy metals in a calcareous soil at different rates of sewage sludge amendment. There are significant linear correlations between the contents of Hg, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in soil and sewage sludge amendment rates. By increasing 1 ton of applied sludge per hectare per year in soil, the contents of Hg, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in soil increased by 6.20, 619, 92.9, 49.2, and 0.500 μg kg–1, respectively. For Hg, sewage sludge could be safely applied to the soil for 18 years at an application rate of 7.5 t ha–1 before content exceeded the soil environmental quality standards in China(1 mg kg–1). The safe application period for Zn is 51 years and is even longer for other heavy metals(112 years for Cu, 224 years for Cd, and 902 years for Pb) at an application rate of 7.5 t ha–1 sewage sludge. The contents of Zn and Ni in wheat grains and Zn, Cu, and Cr in maize grains increased linearly with increasing sewage sludge amendment rates. The contents of Zn, Cr, and Ni in wheat straws and Zn, Cu, and As in maize straws were positively correlated with sewage sludge amendment rates, while the content of Cu in wheat straws and Cr in maize straws showed the opposite trend. The bioconcentration factors of the heavy metals in wheat and maize grains were found to be in the order of Zn>Cu>Cd>Hg>Cr=Ni>Pb>As. Furthermore, the bioconcentration factors of heavy metals in wheat were greater than those in maize, indicating that wheat is more sensitive than maize as an indicator plant. These results will be helpful in developing the critical loads for sewage sludge amendment in calcareous soils.

Simulated Leaching Research on the Effects of Sewage Sludge on Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Aeolian Sandy Soil

[ Objective] The study aims at discussing the feasibility of urban sewage sludge applied to desertification forestland. [ Method] Through the simulated leaching test, the effects of sewage sludge application on the content of nutrients and heavy metals in aeolian sandy soil were ana- lyzed. [ Result] After the simulated leaching with sewage sludge, the contents of total nitrogen （TN）, total phosphorus （TP）, available nitrogen （AN） and available phosphorus （AP） in each layer of aeolian sandy soil increased significantly, and the increase in 0 -20 cm soil was more signifi- cant than that in 20 -40 and 40 -60 cm soil. Meanwhile, the content of each heavy metal in 0 -20 cm soil rose significantly, while the increase was small in 40 -60 cm soil. In addition, after the application of sewage sludge, the Nemrew Index of aeolian sandy soil was 0.67, lower than the na- tional soil quality standard of forestland （0.70）, and the short-time application of sewage sludge to sandy soil did not cause serious pollution. How- ever, if sewage sludge has been applied to aeolian sandy soil for a long term, the potential hazard of heavy metals （especially Cd） caused by loneterm accumulation should be paid more attention to.

Characteristics of heavy metal accumulation on fly ash-and sewage sludge-amended calcific soil

Land disposal of fly ash(FA)and sewage sludge(SS)is a major problem due largely to their potentially harmful constituents.In this paper,a potting experiment was performed to evaluate the effects on the plant growth and to discuss in particular the potential hazard to soils and plants according to the characteristics of heavy metal accumulation and migration when FA and SS are used as the amendments of calcific soil in a limestone mining area. The results showed that the application of FA-SS mixture is capable of accelerating the growth of plants and improving the biomass production at either 1:1 or 1:2 FA-SS mixture:soil(w/w).The highest yields were obtained at 1:1(w/w)mixing ratio.When compared with the Element Background Values of Soils in China,the analysis on heavy metals indicated that the contents of Pb,Cr,Hg,Cd,As,Ni,Cu and Zn in the amended soils came up to the second-class environmental quality standards,only Hg and Cd showed significant accumulation.At the same time, though the metal concentrations in roots were higher than those for the control,the concentrations except Cu,Zn in shoots were lower.And all the heavy metal contents in the plants were substantially lower than the toxicity limits. The results indicated that the combined use of FA and SS at a rational rate of application should pose no danger to both soil and food chain based on the characteristics of the FS and SS,heavy metals and calcific soil.

Potato absorption and phytoavailability of Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in sierozem soils amended with municipal sludge compost

Effects of sludge utilization on the mobility and phytoavailability of heavy metals in soil-plant systems have attracted broad attention in recent years. In this study, we analyzed the effects of municipal sludge compost （MSC） on the solubility and pIant uptake of Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in a soil-potato system to explore the mobility, potato plant uptake and enrichment of these five heavy metals in sierozem soils amended with MSC through a potato cultivation trial in Lanzhou University of China in 2014. Ridge regression analysis was conducted to investigate the phytoavailability of heavy metals in amended soils. Furthermore, CaC12, CH3COONH4, CH3COOH, diethylene triamine pentacetic acid （DTPA） and ethylene diamJne tetraacetic acid （EDTA） were used to extract the labile fraction of heavy metals from the amended soils. The results show that the MSC could not only improve the fertility but also increase the dissolved organic carbon （DOC） content of sierozem soils. The total concentrations and labile fraction proportions of heavy metals increase with increasing MSC percentage in sierozem soils. In amended soils, Cd has the highest solubility and mobility while Ni has the lowest solubility and mobility among the five heavy metals. The MSC increases the concentrations of heavy metals in the root, stem, peel and tuber of the potato plant, with the concentrations being much higher in the stem and root than in the peel and tuber. Among the five heavy metals, the bioconcentration factor value of Cd is the highest, while that of Ni is the lowest. The complexing agent （DTPA and EDTA） extractable fractions of heavy metals are the highest in terms of phytoavailability. Soil properties （including organic matter, pH and DOC） have important impacts on the phytoavailability of heavy metals. Our results suggest that in soil-potato systems, although the MSC may improve soil fertility, it can also increase the risk of soils exposed to heavy metals.

Mobilities and leachabilities of heavy metals in sludge with humus soil

Chemical forms of Zn, Ni, Cu, and Pb in municipal sewage sludge were investigated by adding humus soil to sludge and by performing sequential extraction procedures. In the final sludge mixtures, Zn and Ni were mainly found in Fe/Mn oxide-bound （F3） and organic matter/sulfide-bound （F4） forms. For Zn, exchangeable （F1）, carbonate-bound （F2）, and F3 forms were transformed to F4 and residual forms （F5）. For Ni, F1 and F2 forms were transformed to F1, F2, and F3 forms. Both Cu and Pb were strongly associated with the stable forms F4 and F5. For Cu, F2 and F3 forms were major contributors, while for Pb, F3 and F4 forms were major contributors to F5. Humus soil dosage and pH conditions in the sludge were strongly correlated with the forms of heavy metals. Five forms were used to evaluate metal mobilities in the initial and final sludge mixtures. The mobilities of the four heavy metals studied decreased after 28 days. The metal mobilities in the final sludge mixtures were ranked in the following order： Ni 〉 Zn 〉 Cu = Pb. Leaching tests showed that the mobilities of Zn and Ni in lower pH conditions （pH 4） were higher than those in higher pH conditions （pH 8）.

Implication of sewage sludge increased application rates on soil fertility and heavy metals contamination risk

This paper aims to assess soil fertility and risk contamination parameters in response to increased amendment rates of sewage sludge application,under semi-arid climatic conditions of Morocco,using two soil textures:soil A(clay-silty)and soil B(sandy-clay)over two years.To this end,sewage sludge and soils treatments physicochemical parameters,heavy metals content,degree of pollution and associated risks were evaluated and compared to controlled soils.The results showed that all studied parameters changed significantly(p<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner for both soils compared to the untreated control soils.Indeed,there were significant increase in organic matter(OM),total organic carbon(TOC)and nutrients content(N,P and K)of both sols as a response to increased sewage sludge amendment rates.Overall,sewage sludge application showed a positive agronomic potential for both soil and plant.However,there were concern about some heavy metals contamination risks,the results showed a gradual increase of heavy metals concentration in this order:Cu>Pb>Zn>Ni>Cd>Cr.Nevertheless,their concentrations were below the critical values established by the European Union for the agronomic use of soil.The obtained results of assessed parameters indicating SS degree of pollution and associated risks showed a low to a moderate contamination risks of heavy metals.Accordingly,environmental risks of sewage sludge application will be related to increase of heavy metals mainly in a long-term agricultural reuse.Thus,optimal management of sewage sludge application is recommended to ensure sustainability and benefits at the same time to master the contamination risks.

Sewage Sludge Usage in Cotton Crop: I. Influence on SoilProperties

A field experiment with cotton was conducted on a well drained, calcareous, clay loamy Typic Xerochreptto investigate the utility of sewage sludge as a partial substitute for fertilizers and the influence of its application on the basic soil properties and heavy metal concentrations. The experimental design was completelyrandomized blocks with five treatments replicated four times each. Sewage sludge came from the treatmentplant of the municipality of Volos, Central Greece, with the following characteristics: organic matter content36.6 %, pH (H2O 1:5) 6.89, CaCO3 53.4 g kg-1 , total N 26.5 g kg--1, total P 33.5 g kg--1 , and total K 968mg kg--1 soil. Heavy metal concentrations were Cd 5.24, Pb 442, Ni 38, Cu 224, Zn 1 812, and Mn 260 mgkg--1 dry weight, respectively. The soil was high in potassium (K) and poor in available phosphorus (P). Theresults showed that sewage sludge application increased cotton yield and K and P concentrations in cottonleaves. Soil pH was reduced in the case of higher sewage sludge rate. Electrical conductivity, organic mattercontent, total N, and available P were significantly increased. Total concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cu wereslightly increased. DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu and Mn were also significantly increased. Available forms ofall heavy metals, except Cd, were significantly correlated with organic matter content in a positive way andnegatively with soil pH.

Extraction DNA from Activated Sludge-Comparing with Soil Sample

DNA directly extraction from activated sludge and soil sample with enzyme lyses methods was investigated in this paper. DNA yield from activated sludge was 3.0 mg/g. MLSS, and 28.2 -43.8 μg/g soil respectively. The resulting DNA is suitable for PCR. By studied methods, higher quality and quantity of sludge DNA could be obtained rapidly and inexpensively from large number of samples, and the PCR product obtained from this protocol was not affected by contaminated higher concentration of heavy metals.

Sewage Sludge: An Important Biological Resource for Sustainable Agriculture and Its Environmental Implications

Intensive farming generally needs large addition of organic matter to maintain fertility and enhance crop yields. Sewage sludge/biosolids are by-products of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment and a rich source of organic nutrients. Sewage sludge having high content of organic matter, macro- and micro-nutrients, can be used as fertilizer/soil conditioner for food, vegetable crop, horticultural plants and pasture, which in most cases can be beneficially recycled. In the past sewage sludge was regarded as a waste product due to expected high level of contaminants such as pathogens, pollutants and synthetic materials discharged in sewer from homes and industries, which were often incinerated, dumped in occasion or land fill. As a result of rapidly increasing population, urbanization and industrialization, wastewater production and sewage sludge generation have increased manifold. Due to high cost of mineral fertilizers and escalating trends in their prices, there is an increasing trend of using sewage sludge in agriculture, especially under intensive cropping in arid and semi arid regions of the country. Therefore, application of sewage sludge to agricultural soils may be sustainable and economical due to nutrient cycling and disposal of sewage sludge. However, there may be a risk in use of sewage sludge due to potentially harmful contents present in the sludge such as heavy metals and pathogens. This paper, therefore, presents a review on various aspects of sewage sludge used in agriculture.

Insights into multisource sludge distributed in the Yangtze River basin, China: Characteristics,correlation, treatment and disposal

Sludge is the by-product of wastewater treatment process. Multisource sludge can be defined as sludge from different sources. Based on the sludge properties of five typical cities in the Yangtze River basin, including Jiujiang, Wuhu, Lu’an, Zhenjiang and Wuhan, this study investigated and summarized the characteristic variations and distribution differences of multiple indicators and substances from municipal sludge, dredged sludge, and river and lake sediments. The results demonstrated pH of multisource sludge was relatively stable in the neutral range. Organic matter and water content among municipal sludge were high and varied considerably between different wastewater treatment plants. Dredged sludge had an obviously higher sand content and wider particle distribution, which could be considered for graded utilization depending on its size. The nutrients composition of river and lake sediments was usually stable and special, with lower nitrogen and phosphorus content but higher potassium levels. The sources of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in multisource sludge were correlated, generally much higher among municipal sludge than dredged sludge and river and lake sediments, which were the most important limitation for final land utilization. Despite various properties of multisource sludge, the final fate and destination have some overall similarities, which need to be supplemented and improved by standards and laws. The study provided a preliminary analysis of suitable technical routes for municipal sludge, dredged sludge, river and lake sediments based on their different characteristics respectively, which was of great significance for multisource sludge co-treatment and disposal in the future of China.

Effects of Urban and Industrial Waste on Some Soil Properties of Agricultural Soils in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

The potential impact of the addition of untreated sewage sludge from domestic waste and effluent from textile and tannery industries on agricultural soils is a common practice in this area of study. A proportion of heavy metals in sewage sludge will be present in the soil solution. Soil samples from three Agricultural Site were collected at three depths （0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm） from the months of June to September, 2007 （Rainy season）, February - May, 2008 （Dry season） for the determination of pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, organic carbon, salinity, cation exchanged capacity, Ca, Na, K and heavy metals using standard procedures. Levels of the above parameters were higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. It was also observed from the result of this study that the levels of pH and organic carbon influenced the solubility and mobility of heavy metals. Generally, the levels of heavy metals, pH and organic carbon for the three agricultural sites increases significantly （P 〈 0.05） to a depth of 30 cm, while Conductivity, salinity, organic matter, CEC （Cation exchanged capacity）, Ca, Na and K decreased to a depth of 30 cm. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil samples were higher than the Interim Canadian Environmental quality criteria and FAO （Food and Agriculture Organization） for contaminated site. Based on the above results, the study underscores the need for immediate remediation programme to control the use of untreated sewage sludge and waste water from tannery and textile industries by farmers in the study areas for crop production.

农林废弃物共热解对污泥生物炭Cu(Ⅱ)吸附性能的影响

将山地城市污泥与水稻杆、水稻壳、桉树枝、桉树叶等农林废弃物进行共热解,研究共热解对生物炭理化性质及Cu(II)吸附性能的影响,探讨共热解对Cu(II)吸附性能的协同作用。结果显示,与污泥炭相比,水稻壳、水稻杆、桉树枝、桉树叶与污泥共热解制备的生物炭,C含量分别增大了0.64倍、0.87倍、1.04倍、1.22倍,O含量分别增大了1.11倍、1.25倍、2.01倍、2.17倍,对Cu(II)最大吸附量分别增大了28.4%,60.3%,82.7%,99.7%。共热解对生物炭Cu(II)吸附性能具有明显的协同作用,污泥与桉树叶共热解炭对Cu(II)最大吸附量的协同量化值最高(90.13%)。

市政污泥中重金属处置技术研究进展

论述了市政污泥中重金属的污染来源、污染现状及危害,着重阐述了市政污泥中重金属的处置技术及其优缺点,并对重金属处置的研究进行展望,为市政污泥中重金属污染治理的相关工作提供技术支持。

污泥共热解制备污泥基生物炭及其在土壤回用中的改良效益

随着全球污泥产量的快速增长,对其的资源化处置是亟待解决的现实问题.相较于传统的填埋以及新型的焚烧工艺,污泥热解可实现污泥的无害化、减量化并生成具有土壤改良潜力的污泥基生物炭,是污泥处理的一种较优选择.本文以市政污泥为研究对象,全面综述了污泥不同热解方法对生成污泥基生物炭的物化性质和其对土壤改良效应的影响,重点介绍了污泥中磷和重金属在不同热解工艺中的迁移转化机制,污泥基生物炭对土壤物化性质的影响机理、对污染土壤的修复机制、对土壤中微生物和微生物酶等的作用机制.通过以上分析,能够以此为理论支撑指导制备具有定向改良土壤功能的污泥基生物炭.本综述将有助于污泥定向热解制备污泥基生物炭的进一步发展,为污泥基生物炭土壤改良提供理论参考和支持.

污泥生物炭对土壤养分及重金属的影响

采用未、酸、碱改性污泥生物炭(SC1、SC2、SC3)修复受重金属单一污染(Cu、Zn、Cd)的土壤,研究生物炭对土壤理化性质、养分指标及重金属形态分布的影响。结果表明,施加三种SC后,土壤pH值与电导率均显著增加;阳离子交换量、有机质、有效磷及速效钾等养分指标也均呈现积极影响,即阳离子交换量在SC3的处理下提升效果更好,有机质与有效磷含量在SC2的处理下增加更为显著,速效钾含量的提升均在50%左右;三种重金属则在SC3的处理下修复固化效果更好。

河道淤泥疏浚和底泥污染评价研究——以三亚市某河道为例

为选择更有效更环保更经济的底泥清淤方式及淤泥处置方案,研究采用平行断面法和潜在生态危害指数法调查和分析了三亚市某河道的沉积物营养盐、有机质及重金属污染特征及污染程度,并根据污染程度初步确定是否需要清淤、清淤范围、深度和工程量。结果表明:(1)河道的底泥主要受到有机质和总磷污染,对水体的富营养化有潜在影响。(2)清淤淤泥富含有机质、氮、磷等营养元素,是一种优质的土壤改良剂。河道底泥中重金属的含量均符合《绿化种植土壤》(CJ/T340-2016)I级标准限值,清淤出的底泥可以直接或者经过干化处理后作为绿化种植土,用于园林绿化的土壤改良剂或客土置换。河道清淤的全过程研究对于其他河道淤泥监测评估及相应清淤疏浚施工及淤泥资源化处置方式的选择提供参考借鉴。

污泥生物质炭对杨树人工林土壤环境质量的影响

通过田间试验,研究了污泥生物质炭(SSBC)施用对杨树人工林土壤理化性质、重金属含量、土壤微生物生物量碳氮以及土壤酶活性的影响。试验设置4个处理:不施生物质炭对照(0t/hm^(2))、低量生物质炭(15t/hm^(2))、中量生物质炭(30t/hm^(2))及高量生物质炭(60 t/hm^(2))。结果表明:SSBC的施用可降低土壤pH,增加土壤电导率;随着SSBC用量的增加,土壤营养成分和重金属含量均呈现增加趋势,其中土壤有机碳增加18.4%~47.9%,全氮增加20.4%~46.5%,全磷增加27.9%~74.9%,有效氮增加4.2%~23.1%,有效磷增加16.3%~28.3%,且重金属污染可控。SSBC提高微生物生物量碳氮含量,并使土壤β-葡糖苷酶、N-乙酰-葡糖苷酶和蛋白酶活性分别显著增加17.1%~35.3%、18.1%~36.8%和29.3%~70.3%,其中中量生物质炭处理的增幅最大。总之,SSBC的应用不仅显著增加土壤营养成分,而且改善部分微生物环境,致使土壤环境质量一定程度上有所改善。

污泥基生物炭的制备与应用研究进展

城镇污水处理产生的污泥日益增多,双碳背景下的污泥转化与利用受到了越来越多的关注。本文综述了污泥基生物炭的制备方法及其影响因素,并从水处理、土壤改良、储能材料、生物质燃料等方面总结了污泥基生物炭的应用研究现状。采用物理化学改性技术,可以提高污泥基生物炭的比表面积、增加表面极性官能团和表面电荷等。随着技术的进步和制备成本的降低,污泥基生物炭有望在水处理、土壤改良、固碳、农业等领域发挥更大作用。未来,应根据污泥基生物炭的特性,协同其他生物质或采用物理化学改性技术,在提升其性能的同时大力拓展其应用范围。

造纸厂污泥添加对花生生长发育的影响及其安全性评价

试验通过添加造纸厂污泥来研究其对花生生长发育性状、产量及土壤理化性状的影响,并通过测定土壤及花生籽粒中重金属等有害物质的含量来对污泥应用的安全性进行评价。结果表明,添加污泥能促进花生生长发育、提高花生产量,并且与污泥施用量呈正相关,其中XCL3处理的效果最好;污泥还能提升土壤肥力水平、平衡土壤酸碱度、调节水溶性盐含量;施用污泥后土壤及花生籽粒中的重金属含量均符合国家标准。