Influence of the sewage irrigation on the agricultural soil properties in Tongliao City, China

Increasing shortages of fresh water has led to greater use of treated wastewater for irrigation of crops. This study evaluates the spatial variability of soil properties after irrigation with wastewater and freshwater. Geostatistical techniques were used to identify the variability of soil properties at the different sites. A set of physical and chemical soil properties were measured including total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), organic matter (OM) and soil moisture. The TN concentration levels varied from 567 to 700 mg·kg^-1, while OC levels ranged from 7.3 to 16.3 mg·kg^-1 in wastewater-irrigated zones. The concentration levels of TP were between 371.53 and 402.88 mg·kg^-1 for the wastewater-irrigated sites. Wastewater irrigation resulted in higher TN, TP and OM concentrations by 18.4%, 8% and 25%, respectively. The highest TN and OM occurred along the wastewater trunk. It was also observed that nitrogen concentrations correlate with the soil's organic matter. The increase of salinity may be associated with the increase of pH, which might suggest that a reduction of pH will be beneficial for plant growth due to the decrease of salinity. The average concentrations of nitrogen in topsoil were higher than those in subsurface soils in irrigated areas. Such differences of the N profile might be due to variations in organic matter content and microbial populations. Consistent with TN and OM, soil C:N decreased significantly with an increase of depth. This phenomenon possibly reflects a greater degree of breakdown and the older age of humus stored in the deeper soil layers. The analysis of pH levels at different depths for the three sites showed that pH values for wastewater irrigation were slightly lower than the controlled sites at the same depths.     

Contamination and vertical distribution of As,Cd, Cr,Cu, Pb,Tl, and Zn in paddy soil irrigated with untreated leachate from tailings retention ponds

The contamination and vertical distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Tl, and Zn in paddy soil irrigated with untreated leachate from the tailings retention pond were investigated. As, Cr, Cu, and Zn were slightly contaminated in the surface soil and hence their vertical distribution was not obvious. However, Cd and Pb were highly contaminated in the surface soil, while their concentrations decreased with depth, being negatively correlated with pH and positively with total organic matter. Tl was considerably contaminated in the surface soil and a V-shaped vertical distribution was observed where the concentration increased to a maximum at about 30 cm depth and decreased thereafter. The findings revealed that the regular irrigation with untreated leachate from the tailings retention ponds could cause considerable contamination of Cd, Pb, and Tl, and thus tailings should be stringently treated before disposal to minimize their potential environmental impacts on the surroundings.     

Health risk assessment of potentially harmful elements and dietary minerals from vegetables irrigated with untreated wastewater,Pakistan

In the developing world, vegetables are commonly grown in suburban areas irrigated with untreated wastewater containing potentially harmful elements (PHEs). In Pakistan, there is no published work on the bioaccessibility aspect of PHEs and dietary minerals (DMs) in sewage-irrigated soil or the vegetables grown on such soils in Pakistan. Several industrial districts of Pakistan were selected for assessment of the risk associated with the ingestion of vegetables grown over sewage-irrigated soils. Both the total and bioaccessible fraction of PHEs (Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb) and DMs (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, and I) in soils and vegetable samples were measured. The concentrations of these PHEs and DMs in sewage-irrigated and control soils were below published upper threshold limits. However, compared to control soils, sewage irrigation over the years decreased soil pH (7.7 vs 8.1) and enhanced dissolved organic carbon (1.8 vs 0.8 %), which could enhance the phyto-availability of PHEs and DMs to crops. Of the PHEs and DMs, the highest transfer factor (soil to plant) was noted for Cd and Ca, respectively. Concentrations of PHEs in most of the sewage-irrigated vegetables were below the published upper threshold limits, except for Cd in the fruiting portion of eggplant and bell pepper (0.06–0.08 mg/kg Cd, dry weight) at three locations in Gujarat and Kasur districts. The bioaccessible fraction of PHEs can reduce the context of dietary intake measurements compared to total concentrations, but differences between both measurements were not significant for Cd. Since the soils of the sampled districts are not overly contaminated compared to control sites, vegetables grown over sewage-irrigated soils would provide an opportunity to harvest mineral-rich vegetables potentially providing consumers 62, 60, 12, 104, and 63 % higher dietary intake of Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca, and Mg, respectively. Based on Fe and vanadium correlations in vegetables, it is inferred that a significant proportion of total dietary Fe intake could be contributed by soil particles adhered to the consumable portion of vegetables. Faecal sterol ratios were used to identify and distinguish the source of faecal contamination in soils from Gujranwala, Gujarat, and Lahore districts, confirming the presence of human-derived sewage biomarkers at different stages of environmental alteration. A strong correlation of some metals with soil organic matter concentration was observed, but none with sewage biomarkers.     

Leaching-induced migration and compositional form change of Cu,Zn, and Cd from sludge to loess

Land utilization of sewage sludge has become one of the major issues in environmental mitigation in China. This is particularly important in the Loess Plateau of Northwest China. Sludge enriched with organic matter and nutrients might effectively help to resolve the problems of silty loess soils as evidenced by porosity defect, structural alterations and absence of fertility. After sludge flows into the loess, irrigation water contains heavy metals that leach and migrate into sludge and consequently related human health risks may occur that raise concerns; and this situation needs to be rectified. The characteristics of the vertical migration and composition form change of Cu, Zn, and Cd from composted sludge to loess, and corresponding influencing factors, were investigated by performing a soil column simulation test under the leaching treatment of a one-year irrigation water capacity. Results demonstrated that: (1) composted sludge significantly improved loess fertility, and irrigation leaching transported only a small quantity of organic matter in sludge in the plough layer; (2) although some of the Cu, Zn, and Cd in composted sludge migrated to and concentrated in the middle and upper layers of the soil column during leaching, these metals were mostly retained in the plough layer; and (3) after the leaching treatment of the one-year irrigation water capacity, the compositions of Cu, Zn, and Cd (particularly Cu and Zn) in both plough layer and loess began to stabilize with low concentrations in the exudate. These findings confirmed the applicability of composted sludge in loess regions. This study provided a new insight into the sludge reuse in alkaline soils in arid and semi-arid region.     

西安污灌区土壤重金属含量及对西红柿影响研究

通过对西安污灌土和西红柿Cu,Pb,Cd,Cr,As,Hg元素分布的研究,结果表明这些元素在污灌土中发生了明显累积,但不同元素的累积强度不同。重金属从土壤向西红柿的迁移转化中,迁移累积率在灌土中Cd＞As＞Cu＞Cr＞Hg＞Pb,而正常土中Cd＞As＞Hg＞Cu＞Cr＞Pb。西红柿不同生长阶段对土壤中重金属吸收程度不同,西红柿Cu、Cd、Hg含量与土壤中该元素含量呈明显的正相关关系。     

Effect of acid rain on the fractionation of heavy metals and major elements in contaminated soils

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acid rain (1:1 equivalent basis H₂SO₄:HNO₃) at pH values of 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0 on the fractionation of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and major elements (K, Na, Ca, and Mg) in contaminated calcareous soils over a 2084 h period. Heavy metals and major elements in soil samples were fractionated before and after 2084 h kinetic release using a sequential extraction procedure. Before kinetic studies the predominant fractions of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cd and Ni were mainly associated with carbonate fraction (CARB), whereas Fe, Mn and Zn were associated with the Fe–Mn oxide fraction (Fe–Mn oxide). The highest percentage of Pb and Cu were found in the exchangeable (EXC) and organic matter (OM) fractions, respectively. After kinetic study using different simulated acid rain solutions, the major fractions of heavy metals (expect of Cu) and Na was the same as before release. Upon the application of different acid rain solutions, K and Mg were found dominantly in Fe–Mn oxide fraction, whereas Ca was in the EXC fraction. The results provide valuable information regarding metal mobility and indicated that speciation of metals (Cu and Zn) and major elements in contaminated calcareous soils can be affected by acid rain.     

污水灌溉区土壤肥力及酶活性特征研究

通过野外调查和采样分析,研究了石家庄栾城县不同污水灌溉时间（0-52a）和不同层位（0-100cm）耕地土壤肥力及酶活性的分布特征。研究结果表明：与清灌对照点相比,污水灌溉区表层（0-20cm）土壤有机质含量、全氮含量、全磷含量、蔗糖酶活性、脲酶活性和磷酸酶活性、亚表层（20-40cm）蔗糖酶活性、磷酸酶活性和下层（40-60cm）蔗糖酶活性均相对较高,而下层有机质含量、全氮含量和底层（60-100cm）全氮含量均相对较低。4层土壤阳离子交换量和过氧化氢酶活性较对照点均无明显的变化规律。表层土壤全氮含量、蔗糖酶活性和磷酸酶活性、亚表层有机质含量、蔗糖酶活性和磷酸酶活性、下层蔗糖酶活性与污灌时间之间均存在显著相关性沪〈0．05）。上述特征反映了土壤肥力及酶活性对污灌的响应具有明显的层位效应和非同步性,而这些响应是由于污水中的营养物质输入土壤后引发微生物活性提高的“激发效应”所致。     

蚯蚓-稻壳炭联合堆肥对工业污泥中重金属的影响研究

蚯蚓堆肥相关研究多集中在生活污泥方面,对工业污泥的探索较少。该研究以马鞍山某钢铁污水处理站污泥为例,添加不同比例稻壳炭(2%、4%、8%),设置污泥单独堆肥、稻壳炭与污泥堆肥以及蚯蚓-稻壳炭联合污泥堆肥试验,探索蚯蚓与稻壳炭联合堆肥对工业污泥中重金属形态和生物有效性的影响。研究表明,(1)相比污泥单独堆肥,稻壳炭联合污泥堆肥能增加污泥pH、EC、TP和降低TOC、TN,而蚯蚓联合稻壳炭堆肥污泥可增加TN,并进一步增加污泥EC、TP,显著降低污泥的pH、TOC。(2)稻壳炭堆肥中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd含量因浓缩效应而上升;而蚯蚓联合稻壳炭堆肥,重金属含量显著下降,添加4%稻壳炭时,重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd质量分数达到最小值,分别为856.64、137.10、158.92、15.48mg·kg-1。(3)重金属形态分析表明,随着稻壳炭比例增加,稻壳炭堆肥中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd的交换态和碳酸盐结合态转化为残渣态及铁锰氧化态的比例增大,添加8%稻壳炭时DTPA提取的有效态重金属质量分数最低,分别为705.72、47.95、50.43、4.47 mg·kg-1;蚯蚓-稻壳炭联合堆肥会使得污泥中重金属交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰结合态和有机结合态均向残渣态转化,添加4%稻壳炭与蚯蚓的协同转化能力最大,Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd有效态重金属质量分数分别为629.84、38.63、36.76、1.63mg·kg-1,说明稻壳炭添加入蚯蚓堆肥可进一步降低工业污泥中重金属有效性,使重金属钝化。本研究可为稻壳炭联合蚯蚓堆肥处理工业污泥提供参考和科学依据。     

The correlation of total and extractable heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to maize ( Zea mays L.) plants

A study to understand the mobility and transport of heavy metals (HMs) from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to maize plants was carried out. The total and ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA)-extractable HMs in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge samples, and the correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge were carried out. Pot experiments were performed to study the transfer of HMs to maize grains, grown in soil (control) and in soil amended with sewage sludge (test samples). The total and extractable HMs in soil, sewage sludge, and maize grains were analysed by FAAS/ETAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometer/electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer) after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the total contents of Cu, Cd, As and their respective extractable fractions in soil, while in domestic wastewater sludge (DWS) the better correlation was observed only for Ni and Cd. The edible part of maize plants (grains) from test samples presented high concentration of Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu, As, and Cr concentrations (80.7–85.6, 3.8–3.95, 2.35–2.5, 0.75–0.82, 3.21–3.29, 0.23–0.27, and 0.22–0.29?mg?kg^?1, respectively). Good correlations were found between metals in exchangeable fractions of both soil and DWS and total metals in control and test samples of maize grains. The transfer factor of all HMs from DWS to maize grains was also determined.     

Effect of clay minerals on extractability of heavy metals and sewage sludge mineralization in soil

An incubation experiment lasting 111 d was carried out to study the effect of the addition of three clay minerals (Na-bentonite, Ca-bentonite, and zeolite) to soil derived from sewage sludge on water-extractable and exchangeable forms of four heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni), as well as on soil organic matter mineralization, microbial biomass C and the release of inorganic N. The addition of clay minerals led to a significant decrease in water-extractable and exchangeable forms of heavy metals. The extent of decrease ranged from 14 to 75% for the water-extractable heavy metals and from 12 to 42% for the exchangeable form over the incubation time, as compared with untreated soil. The reduction in extractability of heavy metals was greater due to the addition of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite than that due to the addition of zeolite. Addition of clay minerals did not affect any of the following microbiological parameters in the soil: microbial biomass C, organic C (C_org) mineralization, and metabolic quotient (qCO₂), and release of inorganic N during the first 3 weeks of incubation. However, as the incubation period increased, these parameters were significantly increased by the addition of clay minerals, especially by the addition of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite. This result is explained by a strong reduction in extractability of heavy metals after the addition of Na-bentonite and Ca-bentonite.     

Heavy metal contamination of soil,and bioaccumulation in vegetables irrigated with treated waste water in the tropical city of Varanasi,India

The present study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contamination in soil with accumulation in plants in waste water irrigated areas. Results revealed that waste water contained lower concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb except Cd (0.03) than the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. The maximum metal concentrations occurred in Brassica oleracea (Zn 63.80, Cu 12.25, Cr 10.65, Pb 3.63, and Cd 0.56 mg Kg^?1).The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.9, Cr2.9, Zn 4.8, Cu 6.5, and Pb 15.5) and degree of contamination (CF of Cd 2.9, Cr 2.0, Zn 2.3, Cu 2.7, and Pb 2.2) showed that accumulation of the five toxic metals increased during sewage irrigation as compared with the reference values, other Indian regions and globally. However, based on WHO standards for heavy metal contamination of soil and irrigation water, our data does not ensure safe levels for food.     

Assessment of drain water receiving effluent from tanneries and its impact on soil and plants with particular emphasis on bioaccumulation of heavy metals

In the present study, impact of tannery and other industrial effluents on the physico-chemical characteristics of loamy drain water and their consequent impact on soil and plants irrigated with effluent have been studied. The study reveals most of the parameter pH, BOD5 and COD at sampling station I was higher than station II. Waste water quality at both Stations I and II exceeded prescribed limits (BIS) for safe disposal of effluents into the surface water Samples of soil and vegetables from the land irrigated with loamy drain water has been collected and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr Pb and Cd. The different metals showed different enrichment factor for loamy drain water irrigated soil and are as follows: Cd 30% (max), Pb 26%, Zn 18%, Cr 5%, Cu 5%, Ni 2% (min). For plant samples collected at polluted sites are Ni 46% spinach (whole plant) (max), Zn 42% spinach (whole plant), Cr 39% spinach (whole plant), Cu 33% spinach (whole plant), Pb 20% potato tuber, Cd 20% potato tuber (min). The levels of Zn 145, Cu 5.25, and Ni 39.25 microg/ g in spinach, Pb 29.25, Cr 38. 25 and Cd 3.2 microg/g in potato tuber grown on polluted soil irrigated with contaminated drain water were found more than the reference value, which may create chronic health hazard problem to human and cattle through food chain in long run. Accumulation of toxic heavy metals may be build up in the agriculturally productive land where it is treated with contaminated effluent enrich with metals in turn bio-concentrated in the edible fodder/plants.     

Stabilization of Cd-, Pb-, Cu- and Zn-contaminated calcareous agricultural soil using red mud: a field experiment

Red mud (RM) was used to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils. Experiments with two different dosages of RM added to soils were carried out in this study. It was found that soil pH increased 0.3 and 0.5 unit with the dosage of 3 and 5% (wt%), respectively. At the dosage of 5%, the highest stabilization efficiencies for Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn reached 67.95, 64.21, 43.73 and 63.73%, respectively. The addition of RM obviously transferred Cd from the exchangeable fraction to the residual fraction. Meanwhile, in comparison with the control (no RM added), it reduced 24.38, 49.20, 19.42 and 8.89% of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in wheat grains at the RM addition dosage of 5%, respectively. At the same time, the yield of wheat grains increased 17.81 and 24.66% at the RM addition dosage of 3 and 5%, respectively. Finally, the addition of RM did not change the soil bacterial community. These results indicate that RM has a great potential in stabilizing heavy metals in calcareous agricultural soils.

     

Speciation of Heavy Metals in Floodplain and Flood Sediments: a Reconnaissance Survey of the Aire Valley, West Yorkshire, Great Britain

A five-step sequential extraction technique was used to determine the chemical association of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd), with major sedimentary phases (exchangeable, surface oxide and carbonate, Fe and Mn oxides, organic and residual metal ions), in samples from floodplain and recent flood sediments of the River Aire, West Yorkshire. Analysis indicates that metals Pb and Zn are primarily associated with the Fe and Mn oxides, Cu with the organic fraction and Cd with exchangeable and surface oxide and carbonate metal ions. Knowledge of the chemical speciation of heavy metals in river sediment, despite the procedure's inherent limitations, facilitates an understanding of their bioavailability, storage and remobilisation in floodplain and river channel environments.     

Effect of pH values on the solubility of some elements in different soil samples

The purpose of this study is to know the concentrations of some heavy-metal elements (Zn, Pb and Cd) in different types of soil and the effect of pH values on their solubility. Two types of soil were selected from area adjacent to the sewage treatment plant, as well as from an agricultural area in the city of Al-Rass, Qassim, KSA for this purpose. The results showed high concentrations of elements in the acidic medium at pH 2, while concentrations decreased as the pH increased to reach the neutral medium. The decrease in concentrations was very clear in the alkaline medium and reached the lowest values at pH10. On the other hand, the highest concentrations were detected in soil adjacent to the sewage treatment specially for Pb and Cd in comparison with agricultural soil. The previous results show the urgent need for wastewater treatment and checking for pH values at standard limits before use in irrigation or discharge it on soil surface, as well as soil analysis prior to the planting and selection of appropriate plants by specialists for the health of citizens, where each plant characterise by its absorption for specific elements.     

The Environmental Capacity Approach to the Control of Marine Pollution: The Case of Copper in the Krka River Estuary

Changes in soil pH, soil heavy metal forms, and the metabolic diversity of microbial communities were examined in soil samples collected in 1-mm increments from barley roots in soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) using a rhizobox system. Concentrations of exchangeable Cd and Zn increased near the roots owing to a decrease in soil pH. Conversely, the concentration of inorganically bound Cd and Zn decreased near the roots. Despite having the highest concentration of the most toxic exchangeable metals, the rhizosphere also had the highest bacterial and fungal metabolic activity and diversity when assessed using BIOLOG plates. Therefore, the promoting effects of root exudates on microbial activity could outweigh the adverse effects of Cd and Zn on microorganisms in the rhizosphere.     

Effects of salinity on the transformation of heavy metals in tropical estuary wetland soil

Tropical estuary wetlands are important for aquaculture and wildlife. However, many of them receive large amounts of anthropogenic heavy metals annually. Here, the transformation of spiked heavy metals, namely, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and the effects of salinity on their transformation in wetland soils after an eight-month-long incubation under moisture-saturation conditions were studied in the Pearl River estuary in China. Cd exhibited high mobility and bioavailability, with 12.2% to 25% Cd existing in the exchangeable fraction. Other heavy metals primarily existed in the reducible and oxidisable forms, and less than 2% were bound to the exchangeable fraction. Compared with the controls, contents of none of the metals associated with residual forms were significantly altered. These results imply that most exchangeable metals, except for Cd, transformed into other stable fractions through an eight-month-long ageing process, but not into the residual fraction. Thus, transformation from non-residual to residual forms was very slow in the tropical estuary wetland environment. Addition of NaCl increased the exchangeable fractions of Cd, Pb, and Zn, suggesting that increased soil salinity induced by flood tides during the dry season may enhance their mobility.     

橡胶园土壤若干微量元素含量 ——以海南省胶园土为例

胶园土壤微量元素含量有一定的特征。海南省胶园土个别样点Ｃｄ偏高,Ｃｕ偏低,其它样点Ｃｄ、Ｃｒ、Ｐｈ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｎｉ、Ｍｏ、Ｈｇ含量正常。土壤母质、质地、化学组成、耕作等对微量元素含量有一定影响。玄武岩上的胶园土微量元素较丰富。质地粘重的土壤微量元素含量往往较高。由于铁的水合物吸附固定作用,Ｃｕ、Ｚｕ、Ｃｄ、Ｈｇ含量与Ｆｅ含量有一定关系。Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｄ、Ｈｇ的许多化学性质相似,它们的含量有一定的相关性。     

Heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to Sorghum plants

We studied the mobility and transport of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb, from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to sorghum plants. The total and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extractable heavy metals in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge (DWS) samples were determined. The correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge was investigated. The total and extractable heavy metals in soil, sewage sludge and sorghum grain were analysed by flame and electro thermal atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS/ETAAS), after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically good correlations were obtained between the total contents of all heavy metals and their respective extractable fractions in soil and domestic wastewater sludge. Transfer factors of all heavy metals from domestic sewage sludge to sorghum grains were determined.     

Fractionation analysis of some heavy metals in sediments of the north-western part of the Red Sea,Egypt

Sequential extraction was used to study operationally determined chemical forms (exchangeable, carbonate, reducible metal, oxidisable metal and the residual fractions) of the metals Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb in sediments from 12 sample sites collected from the north-western part of the Red Sea, where improper recreational facilities have resulted in diverse impacts on the coastal environments fronting some of the recreation projects. The results showed that the average percentage of each phase was different among metal types; the residual binding fraction was the most important phase for binding Zn and to a lesser degree Cu. The reducible fraction was the second most important phase for Zn and Cu. For Pb, the fractions bounded to the residual fractions and the reducible phases are equal and exhibited the highest percentages. By contrast, the carbonate fraction was predominant for Cd. The percentages of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb associated with the carbonate and exchangeable fractions, which are potentially the most harmful to the environment, were calculated and assessed at different sampling sites of the studied sediments. According to the Risk Assessment Code (RAC), the results reveal that Cd is the only metal that poses a high risk to the environment.