Effect of liming on the distribution of heavy metals in untreated industrial sewage sludge produced in Pakistan for the cultivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.)

The recycling of sewage sludge on agriculture land represents an alternative, advantageous, disposal of this waste material. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using industrial sewage sludge, produced in Pakistan, as a fertiliser. Agricultural soil amended with 25% (w/w) sewage sludge with or without lime treatment was used for growing a variety of sorghum (PARC-SS-1). The mobility of the heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) and metalloid (As) in the untreated industrial waste water sewage sludge (UIWS) samples were assessed by applying a modified BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure. The single extraction procedure comprised of the application of mild extractant (CaCl₂) and water for the estimation of the proportion of easily soluble metal fractions. The precision and accuracy of BCR was evaluated by using a certified reference material of soil amended with sewage sludge BCR 483. The plant available metal contents, as extracted by the deionised water and 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution and exchangeable fraction of BCR sequential, decreased with lime application in the range of 10–44% for As, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn, except in the cases of Cd and Cu, where their mobility was increased by 10% and 24%, respectively. Sludge amendment enhanced the dry weight yield of sorghum and the increase was more obvious after liming up to 25%. The uptake of HMs were lower in test samples (3.2–21.8%), except for Cu and Cd, which was higher (4%), while they were below the permissible limit of these metals. The present experiment demonstrates that liming was important in factors facilitating the growth of sorghum in sludge-amended soil.     

Trace metal leaching through a soil-grassland system after sewage sludge application

To determine whether sludge applications to soil would lead in the short term to toxicity to plants and trace metal leaching to ground water, we studied the fate of some trace and major elements in a brown soil-meadow system just after repeated sewage sludge applications. The main pathways were quantified over a 37-mo period with undisturbed monolith lysimeters including two controls, four lysimeters treated with 3 x 100 m3 ha-1, and four with 3 x 400 m3 ha-1 of sewage sludge. In drainage waters the effect was limited in time and, in the case of NO3-N and Cl, delayed by 1 to 4 mo and lasted several months before returning to background conditions. Nickel and Cu concentrations in solution increased also after sludge application and had not return to background conditions after 20 mo. Trace metal concentrations did not reach toxic levels in herbage and N, Cu, Cd, and Zn concentrations were correlated with the first sludge input only. Calculated over a 37-mo period, total element output was significantly increased for Ca, NO3-N, and Ni only, because of the time-dependent response to sludge application and high variability between replicates. Output was maximal for Cd, with 1.5% of total input for the 100 m3 ha-1 treatment. Particulate matter in drainage water accounted for an average of 20% of trace metal leaching. The main long-term risk was the rapid increase in trace metal concentrations in the topsoil, which may eventually lead to toxic levels in herbage.     

西安市生活污水厂污泥中重金属特性及再利用风险评价

通过评价西安市污水厂污泥理化性质、重金属含量和潜在生态风险,探究污泥再利用的可行性.分析了西安市7个具有代表性的生活污水处理厂污泥的基本理化性质和6种重金属(Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Cd和Zn)在不同时期的含量变化,并对污泥再利用做了可行性评价和潜在风险评价.结果 表明,各污水厂污泥除XA3污水厂Cd未达标外,其余污水...     

Characteristics of slag, fly ash and deposited particles during melting of dewatered sewage sludge in a pilot plant

This study examines slag, fly ash, and deposited particles during melting of dewatered sewage sludge in a pilot plant. In addition, the chemical composition of particles in flue gas was simulated using a thermodynamics program, namely FACTSage 5.2. The results showed that the main components of slag were Al, Fe, Ca, P and Si; the minor components were Na, K, Mg, Cu, and Zn. The main chemical compound of slag was Ca4(Mg,Fe)5(PO4)6. For fly ash particles, heavy metals with the highest concentrations were in the order of Zn and As, Pb, Cu, and Cd, respectively. For non-heavy metals, Al, Fe and P were also found in significant amounts. The majority of deposited particles were composed of elements of Zn, P, S, Na, Fe, Al, Si, and Ca and such chemical compounds as Zn3(PO4)2, AlPO4, FePO4 and Fe(OH)3 while the minority consisted of elements of As, Cu, and Pb. Moreover, the compositions of deposited particles in each chamber differed due to different flue gas temperatures inside. In the secondary chamber at 760 degrees C, the amounts of Fe and Al were higher than Zn, whereas, in the other chambers (600-400 degrees C), the amount of Zn was higher. In other words, at the lower temperature the deposition of Zn was higher than the deposition of Fe and Al. In the water cooling section, volatile elements (i.e. Zn, As, Cu, Pb) were found in the highest concentrations due to a big difference in temperature between the wall surface and flue gas. From the simulation results, most of the elements in the gas phase were found to be chloride compounds, whereas those in the solid phase were in the form of oxide, sulfate, and phosphate compounds.     

Radioactive materials in biosolids: national survey, dose modeling, and publicly owned treatment works (POTW) guidance

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced the availability of three new documents concerning radioactive materials in sewage sludge and ash from publicly owned treatment works (POTW). One of the documents is a report presenting the results of a volunteer survey of sewage sludge and ash samples provided by 313 POTWs. The second document is a dose modeling document, using multiple exposure pathway modeling focused on a series of generic scenarios, to track possible exposure of POTW workers and members of the general public to radioactivity from the sewage sludge or ash. The third document is a guidance report providing recommendations on the management of radioactivity in sewage sludge and ash for POTW owners and operators. This paper explains how radioactive materials enter POTWs, provides criteria for evaluating levels of radioactive material in sludge and ash, and gives a summary of the results of the survey and dose modeling efforts.     

Distribution and movement of sludge-derived trace metals in selected Nigerian soils

Use of metal-rich sewage sludge as soil fertilizer may result in trace- metal contamination of soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of long-term sludge application on trace-metal (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni) distribution and potential bioavailability in Nigerian soils under a tropical wet-dry climate. Total metal analyses, sequential chemical fractionation, and DTPA extractions were carried out on samples of control and sludge-amended pedons in Nigeria (a Rhodic Kandiustult and two Rhodic Kandiustalfs from Nigeria, respectively). The sewage sludge applied to the soils contained higher levels of Zn and Cu than Pb and Ni. The control pedon contained low levels of all four metals. Soil enrichment factors (EF) were calculated for each metal in the sludge-amended pedons. Compared with the control soil, the sludge-amended pedons showed elevated levels of Zn and Cu, reflecting the trace-metal composition of the sewage sludge. Zinc and Cu in the sludge-amended soils were strongly enriched at all depths in the profile, indicating that they had moved below the zone of sludge application. The sequential extraction and DTPA analyses indicated that the sludge-amended soils contained more readily extractable and bioavailable metal ions than the unamended soil.     

超声波去除农用污泥中重金属的试验研究

污水处理厂污泥中的重金属浓度高是污泥农用的主要障碍。为了降低农用污泥中的重金属含量,以Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb为对象,研究了超声波对其的影响。结果表明:超声对污泥中重金属有一定的溶出作用。当超声时间为30min时,溶解状态Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb的析出率分别为42.1%、37.5%、12.7%、14.7%;总的析出率分别为52.7%、44.7%、23.6%、71%。其中析出的Pb大部分以胶体状态存在,而溶解状态只占很少一部分。其他几种金属则以溶解状态为主。     

Long-term biosolids application effects on metal concentrations in soil and bermudagrass forage

The long-term application of biosolids that periodically contained elevated metal concentrations has raised questions about potential effects on animal health. To address these concerns, we determined metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, and Zn) in both soil and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] forage from 10 fields in the following categories of biosolids application: six or more years (>6YR), less than six years (<6YR), and no applications (NS). Soil metal concentrations in all groups were similar to values reported for mineral soils in Georgia, and well below USEPA cumulative limits. Average metal concentrations in the forage were below the maximum tolerable level (MTL) for beef cattle, although two biosolids-amended fields in the >6YR group produced forage that was at or near the MTL for Cd and Mo, and one field in the <6YR group produced forage above the MTL for Cd. The Cu to Mo ratios in forage decreased with increasing time of sludge application, with the average in the >6YR group at a proposed 5:1 Cu to Mo ratio limit to protect ruminant health. Sulfur concentrations in the forage from all three groups was near the MTL of 4 g kg(-1). The study indicated that toxic levels of metals have not accumulated in the soils due to long-term biosolids application. Overall forage quality from the biosolids-amended fields was similar to that of commercially fertilized fields; however, due to the relatively high S and potential for a low Cu to Mo ratio, Cu supplements should be used to ensure ruminant health.     

Metal pollution in sediments of Jamaica Bay,New York,USA—An urban estuary

Calculations of the annual input of heavy metals to Jamaica Bay, New York, USA, reveal that sewage effluent carries the largest quantities of Ni, Zn, Cu, and Cd to the bay. Storm sewers and atmospheric fallout are the main sources of Pb. Atmospheric fallout of Zn, Cu, and Cd, although smaller than the combined input from sewers, contributes a significant fraction of these metals. The metal input from landfill leachate is far smaller than that from other sources. Analysis of available data shows that metal concentrations in the sediment of the bay correlate with each other and with percent total organic carbon (%TOC). This is consistent with the observation that the input of metals is predominantly associated with sewage. It is demonstrated that metal-TOC ratios, rather than metal concentrations, must be used in efforts to detect local intensive sources of metals in solution; metal-TOC ratios in intertidal sediment adjacent to these landfills are elevated by the adsorption of leachate metals, while metal concentrations are not. Subtidal sediment within a few hundred meters from two landfills shows no evidence of the addition of metals from that source, which is consistent with the small input of metals estimated for these landfills. The evidence cited in this study sharply contradicts the implication made in a widely publicized report issued by an environmental advocacy group that a significant link exists between metals found in subtidal sediment of Jamaica Bay and landfill leachate.     

污泥处理与处置技术研究

通过污泥的综合利用、填埋、投海等世界各国通常采用的几种主要的污泥处置方式的分析,对各种污泥利用方案进行比较,找出适合我国污泥无害化处理的先进技术以及制约我国污泥处理的因素.污泥的资源化利用应立足于各地实际,在兼顾环境生态效益、社会效益和经济效益平衡的前提下,选择最佳处置与利用方案.     

Cadmium content of wheat grain from a long-term field experiment with sewage sludge

Grain Cd concentrations were determined in the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Soissons, Brigadier, and Hereward grown in 1994,1996, and 1999, respectively, in soils of a long-term field experiment to which sewage sludges contaminated with Zn, Cu, Ni, or Cr had previously been added. Soil pore water soluble Cd and free Cd2+ increased linearly with increasing total soil Cd (R2=0.82 and 0.84, respectively; P<0.001). Similarly, soil pore water free Cd2+ increased linearly with increasing soil pore water soluble Cd (R2=0.98; P<0.001). There was no evidence of a plateau in soil pore water Cd concentrations with increasing soil Cd concentrations. Grain Cd concentrations were significantly correlated with total soil Cd (P<0.001), soil pore water Cd (P<0.001), and free Cd2+ (P<0.001). A slight curvilinear relationship between grain Cd and soil Cd was apparent, but there was no plateau, even at the maximum soil Cd concentration of about 2.7 mg kg(-1). The relationship between soil pore water Cd and grain Cd was linear for all three cultivars. The slopes were in the order 1994 > 1996 > 1999, with more Cd being taken up into the grain by Soissons grown in 1994, and least by Hereward grown in 1999. For Soissons, Cd concentration in the grain greater than the EU limit (0.24 mg kg(-1) dry wt.) occurred at soil Cd less than the current UK limit of 3 mg kg(-1) for soils receiving sewage sludge. In contrast, for Brigadier and Hereward, grain Cd concentrations were near to and less than the EU limit, respectively, at soil Cd concentrations of 3 mg kg(-1).     

低含油污泥固化处理技术研究*

针对辽河油田欢采水厂低含油污泥,采用固化处理方法,测定了固化剂用量对抗压强度的影响和促凝剂用量对固化时间的影响,得到含油污泥:固化剂:促凝剂最佳配比为100:12:1.5。对含油污泥固化块进行浸出液毒性监测,分析结果表明:含油污泥固化块浸出液中重金属Cu、Pb、Cr、As、Zn、Ni、Cd的含量明显降低,远低于GB5085.3-2007《危险废物鉴别标准浸出毒性鉴别》;浸出液中COD降低了77%。     

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF APPLYING MANURE,FERTILIZER, AND SEWAGE BIOSOLIDS ON A DAIRY FARM1

ABSTRACT: Farms that once spread only manures are now also applying sewage biosolids (sludge) and/or other wastes such as those from food processing. The objective of this study was to monitor environmental impacts at a dairy farm applying these materials. Fields were selected representing recent waste applications of manure (M1, M2), sewage biosolids (B1, B2), or fertilizer only control (F1, F2), although most fields had historical biosolids applications. Fields representing each treatment were not experimental replicates because of varying applications and soil characteristics. Septage and food processing wastes were also applied. Soil percolates were collected with wick lysimeters. Runoff was sampled at seven stream sites. Test field soils and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) were analyzed for trace elements. Cumulative trace metal loadings were low, at most only 1 percent of USEPA Part 503 limits. Surface soil enrichment was most evident for Mo, P, and S. Alfalfa tissue showed no trends of concern. The B2 site had the greatest percolate concentrations for 6 of 13 elements. Percolate Cu was somewhat elevated at Sites M1, M2, B2, and Fl. Percolate sodium was elevated on all M and B fields and sulfur was greatest at M2, B1, and B2. Soluble orthophosphate correlated with stream discharge during intensive monitoring of Stream Sites S1 (fertilizer) and S2 (biosolids). Peaks in S2 streamwater Mo lagged large runoff events by five days. Total streamwater export of Cu, Na, Mo, and soluble P were greater from the S2 biosolids subwatershed than from the S1 fertilizer subwatershed. Percolate concentrations exceeded corresponding streamwater concentrations in most cases.     

Application of treated wastewater and digested sewage sludge to obtain biodiesel from Helianthus annuus L. seeds oil

Waste from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) for Helianthus annuus L. production may be a viable solution to obtain biodiesel. This study achieved two objectives: assess the agronomical viability of waste (wastewater and sludge) from the Alcázar de San Juan WWTP in central Spain for H. annuus L. production; use H. annuus L. seeds grown in this way to obtain biodiesel. Five study plots, each measuring 6 m × 6 m (36 m²), were set up on the agricultural land near the Alcázar de San Juan WWTP. Five fertilizer treatment types were considered: drinking water, as the control; treated wastewater; 10 t ha^?1 of air-dried sewage sludge; 20 t ha^?1 of air-dried sewage sludge; 0.6 t ha^?1 of commercial inorganic fertilizer. Soil, irrigation water, sewage sludge, crop development and fatty acid composition in achenes oil were monitored. The 20 t ha^–1 dose of sewage sludge proved effective to grow H. annuus L. with similar results to those grown with a commercial fertilizer. However, precautions should be taken when irrigating with wastewater because of high salinity and nutrient deficiency. Sunflower oil was composed mostly of linoleic and oleic acid. The remaining fatty acids were linolenic, estearic, nervonic, palmitoleic, and palmitic.     

An inventory of trace element inputs to agricultural soils in China

It is important to understand the status and extent of soil contamination with trace elements to make sustainable management strategies for agricultural soils. The inputs of trace elements to agricultural soils via atmospheric deposition, livestock manures, fertilizers and agrochemicals, sewage irrigation and sewage sludge in China were analyzed and an annual inventory of trace element inputs was developed. The results showed that atmospheric deposition was responsible for 43–85% of the total As, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb inputs, while livestock manures accounted for approximately 55%, 69% and 51% of the total Cd, Cu and Zn inputs, respectively. Among the elements concerned, Cd was a top priority in agricultural soils in China, with an average input rate of 0.004 mg/kg/yr in the plough layer (0–20 cm). Due to the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the sources, the inventory as well as the environmental risks of trace elements in soils varies on a regional scale. For example, sewage sludge and fertilizers (mainly organic and phosphate-based inorganic fertilizers) can also be the predominant sources of trace elements where these materials were excessively applied. This work provides baseline information to develop policies to control and reduce toxic element inputs to and accumulation in agricultural soils.     

Phytoextraction of heavy metals by willows growing in biosolids under field conditions

Biosolids produced by sewage treatment facilities can exceed guideline thresholds for contaminant elements. Phytoextraction is one technique with the potential to reduce these elements allowing reuse of the biosolids as a soil amendment. In this field trial, cuttings of seven species/cultivars of Salix(willows) were planted directly into soil and into biosolids to identify their suitability for decontaminating biosolids. Trees were irrigated and harvested each year for three consecutive years. Harvested biomass was weighed and analyzed for the contaminant elements: As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb, Ni, and Zn. All Salix cultivars, except S. chilensis, growing in soils produced 10 to 20 t ha(-1) of biomass, whereas most Salix cultivars growing in biosolids produced significantly less biomass (<6 t ha(-1)). Salix matsudana (30 t ha(-1)) and S. × reichardtii A. Kerner (18 t ha(-1)) had similar aboveground biomass production in both soil and biosolids. These were also the most successful cultivars in extracting metals from biosolids, driven by superior biomass increases and not high tissue concentrations. The willows were effectual in extracting the most soluble/exchangeable metals (Cd, 0.18; Ni, 0.40; and Zn, 11.66 kg ha(-1)), whereas Cr and Cu were extracted to a lesser degree (0.02 and 0.11 kg ha(-1)). Low bioavailable elements, As, Hg, and Pb, were not detectable in any of the aboveground biomass of the willows.     

Predicting cadmium concentrations in wheat and barley grain using soil properties

The entry of Cd into the food chain is of concern as it can cause chronic health problems. To investigate the relationship between soil properties and the concentration of Cd in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and harley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain, we analyzed 162 wheat and 215 barley grain samples collected from paired soil and crop surveys in Britain, and wheat and barley samples from two long-term sewage sludge experiments. Cadmium concentrations were much lower in barley grain than in wheat grain under comparable soil conditions. Multiple regression analysis showed that soil total Cd and pH were the significant factors influencing grain Cd concentrations. Significant cultivar differences in Cd uptake were observed for both wheat and barley. Wheat grain Cd concentrations could be predicted reasonably well from soil total Cd and pH using the following model: log(grain Cd) = a + b log(soil Cd) - c(soil pH), with 53% of the variance being accounted for. The coefficients obtained from the data sets of the paired soil and crop surveys and from long-term sewage sludge experiments were similar, suggesting similar controlling factors of Cd bioavailability in sludge-amended or unamended soils. For barley, the model was less satisfactory for predicting grain Cd concentration (22% of variance accounted for). The model can be used to predict the likelihood of wheat grain Cd exceeding the new European Union (EU) foodstuff regulations on the maximum permissible concentration of Cd under different soil conditions, particularly in relation to the existing Directive and the proposed new Directive on land applications of sewage sludge.     

城市污泥在农业上的合理利用

本文根据近年来有关污泥在农业上合理利用的研究状况，简述了污泥处理的主要途径及发展趋势，指出了污泥在农业利用上的合理性和在农用过程中应注意的几个问题．     

Cottongrass effects on trace elements in submersed mine tailings

Phytostabilization may limit the leakage of metals and As from submersed mine tailings, thus treatment of acid mine drainage with lime could be reduced. Tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium Honckeny) and white cottongrass (E. scheuchzeri Hoppe) were planted in pots with unlimed (pH 5.0) and limed (pH 10.9) tailings (containing sulfides) amended with sewage sludge (SS) or a bioashsewage sludge mixture (ASM). Effects of the amendments on plant growth and plant element uptake were studied. Also, effects of plant growth on elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and concentrations of SO4(2-), in the drainage water as well as dissolved oxygen in tailings, were measured. Both plant species grew better and the shoot element concentrations of white cottongrass were lower in SS than in ASM. Metal concentrations were lowest in drainage water from limed tailings, and plant establishment had little effect on metal release, except for an increase in Zn levels, even though SO4(2-) levels were increased. In unlimed tailings, plant growth increased SO4(2-) levels slightly; however, pH was increased and metal concentrations were low. Thus, metals were stabilized by plant uptake and high pH. Amendments or plants did not affect As levels in the drainage water from unlimed tailings. Thus, to reduce the use of lime for stabilizing metals, phytostabilization with tall cottongrass and white cottongrass on tailings is a sound possibility.     

COMPARISON OF TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN TISSUE OF COMMON CARP AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MONITORING1

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) collected from four sites in the Red River of the North in 1994 were analyzed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (So), and zinc (Zn). Concentrations differed among liver, muscle, and whole body. Generally, trace element concentrations were the greatest in livers while concentrations in whole bodies were greater than those in muscle for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and concentrations in muscle were similar to whole body for As and Se. Concentrations of Cr were lower in liver than either muscle or whole body. Correlations between liver and whole body concentrations were stronger than those between liver and muscle concentrations, but the strongest correlations were between muscle and whole body concentrations. Examination of tissue concentrations by collection sites suggested that, for a general survey, the whole body may be the most effective matrix to analyze.