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.     

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.     

污泥土地利用对土壤中重金属形态的影响

土地利用是资源化利用城市污水厂污泥的有效途径，随污泥中的营养成分一起进入土壤中的还有其中的重金属元素，它们有可能成为一种环境安全的隐患。本实验所用的土壤为污泥经过无害化及稳定化处理后，与上海潮滩沙土按不同比例(干污泥质量比)混配而成。种植前后分别对沙土、污泥及混配土的重金属含量及形态进行测试。选择几种花卉植物，如菊花(Calendula officinalis）等进行植物种植试验，一个生长季后对植物中的重金属含量及形态进行测试。应用Tessler连续提取法，对污泥中的重金属进入土壤后，土壤中重金属的含量、赋存状态等方面的规律进行研究，发现污泥的土地利用会明显增加土壤中的重金属含量，而且重金属的形态也有明显的变化，可交换态和碳酸盐结合态的重金属含量有明显的增加；如长期使用，则必须采取相应的措施，以消除有害的影响。     

Eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals from sewage sludge

Sewage sludge contains rich organic matter and nutrients essential for the growth of plants but the presence of toxic heavy metals restricts its land application. To overcome this, the study aims an eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals. Sewage sludge from sewage treatment plant, Chennai, India was characterised. The analysis of total heavy metal concentration was done by digesting in nitric acid and different forms were extracted by community bureau of reference sequential method. Heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry Perkin Elmer Optima 5300 DV. The experimental set-up for heavy metal leaching was held for five consecutive days at different concentrations of humic acid (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) at varied pH (5–9). Results revealed that at the end of fifth day at pH 8, 1% humic acid is capable of leaching out 75.5% cadmium, 66.0% nickel, 52.0% lead, 51.2% zinc, 31.2% copper and 8.5% cadmium from sewage sludge. Statistically positive correlation (0.7088) existed between the percentage of heavy metals leached out and the sum of soluble and reducible fractions. Thus, from ecological point of view, humic acid can be used to leach out heavy metals from sewage sludge serving the need in restoration of soil fertility upon land application.     

未消化生活污泥中氮磷供应特性及其环境行为

采用土柱模拟试验，比较了生活污泥和化肥在水－旱耕作制下氮磷的肥效及其对地下水的影响。结果表明，污泥氮磷生物有效性在当季虽比等量的化肥略低，但仍有较大的肥效，且较化肥后效显著，有利于后茬作物的稳健生长。种水稻施用污泥或化肥都未发现有氮磷下渗现象；旱作条件下施化肥和污泥会产生较多的硝酸盐，且极易向下层土壤移动，但污泥的影响程度远没有化肥的大。作者认为在供试条件下按作物对养分的需要来施用污泥，不会构成氮磷对地下水污染的威胁。     

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 metals and soil microbes

Heavy metal pollution is a global issue due to health risks associated with metal contamination. Although many metals are essential for life, they can be harmful to man, animal, plant and microorganisms at toxic levels. Occurrence of heavy metals in soil is mainly attributed to natural weathering of metal-rich parent material and anthropogenic activities such as industrial, mining, agricultural activities. Here we review the effect of soil microbes on the biosorption and bioavailability of heavy metals; the mechanisms of heavy metals sequestration by plant and microbes; and the effects of pollution on soil microbial diversity and activities. The major points are: anthropogenic activities constitute the major source of heavy metals in the environment. Soil chemistry is the major determinant of metal solubility, movement and availability in the soil. High levels of heavy metals in living tissues cause severe organ impairment, neurological disorders and eventual death. Elevated levels of heavy metals in soils decrease microbial population, diversity and activities. Nonetheless, certain soil microbes tolerate and use heavy metals in their systems; as such they are used for bioremediation of polluted soils. Soil microbes can be used for remediation of contaminated soils either directly or by making heavy metals bioavailable in the rhizosphere of plants. Such plants can accumulate 100 mg g^?1 Cd and As; 1000 mg g^?1 Co, Cu, Cr, Ni and 10,000 mg g^?1 Pb, Mn and Ni; and translocate metals to harvestable parts. Microbial activity changes soil physical properties such as soil structure and biochemical properties such as pH, soil redox state, soil enzymes that influence the solubility and bioavailability of heavy metals. The concept of ecological dose (ED₅₀) and lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was developed in response to the need to easily quantify the influence of pollutants on microbial-mediated ecological processes in various ecosystems.     

Heavy metals in contemporary Chinese sewage sludges

The heavy metal content in sewage sludges from a big Chinese city was investigated. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the sludges were 258–4050 mg kg^‐1, bd: 994 mgkg^‐1, 8.3–566 mg kg^‐1, 26.3–370mgkg^‐1 4.2–113 mg kg^‐1 0.9–6.4 mg kg^‐1 and 1.8–12.4 mg kg^‐1 respectively. The concentrations of Zn and Pb in the sewage sludges from the residential areas were higher than those in the mixed ones (from both residential and industrial areas). The concentrations of heavy metals in the flocculently dewatered sewage sludges were higher than those in the sediment of the centrifuged undewatered sewage sludges. After centrifuging, more than 60% of heavy metals remained in the sludge sediment with an exception of Cd. The content of organic matter, total phosphorus (T‐P) and total potassium (T‐K) in these sewage sludges was also measured.     

植物对污泥的响应及根系对重金属的活化作用

为了研究植物对污泥的改良作用及植物根系对重金属的活化作用,在温室盆栽条件下对生长于污泥中的几种耐性植物遏蓝菜属(Thlaspi goesingense)、羽叶鬼针草(Bidens maximowicziana Oett)、酸模(Rumex acetosa L.)、紫苜蓿(Medicogo sativa L.)和印度芥茉(Indian mustard)的植物干重、体内重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd)的含量、叶片中叶绿素含量和植物根系对重金属的活化率做了研究。结果表明,生长于污泥中的植物其干重比对照均有不同程度的增加,其中羽叶鬼针草与对照相比差异极显著;不同植物对不同重金属的吸收量亦不同;各种植物叶片中的叶绿素含量变化不同,与对照相比,差异不显著;遏蓝菜对Cu、Zn的活化率最高,印度芥茉对Cd的活化率最高。     

微生物淋滤法去除城市污泥中重金属的效果

以广州市城市污泥作为培养介质,利用以硫代硫酸钠作为生长基质进行生命活动的氧化亚铁硫杆菌(T.f]和氧化硫硫杆菌(T.t)来淋滤去除污泥中的重金属,研究了不同底物含量及不同驯化污泥接菌量对重金属去除效果的影响.结果表明,在无驯化污泥接种的条件下,最佳基质投配率为10 g·L-1;驯化污泥接种培养可以缩短污泥的酸化周期,并且在相同投配比条件下,接种培养较不接种培养的去除效果明显提高.驯化污泥接种量为10%、投配比为7 g·L-1时,污泥中主要超标元素Cu、Zn、Cd和Ni的去除率分别达到67.2%,88.9%,82.4%,和68.4%.同时,处理后污泥中的重金属含量可满足污泥农用的国家标准.     

污泥施用对林地土壤基本性质及酶活性的影响

以无锡卢村污水处理厂厌氧消化的脱水污泥为有机肥源,采用土培盆栽试验的方法,研究了不同用量污泥施用后土壤基本性质的变化及对土壤酶活性的影响。试验设计5种处理,污泥施用量和占土质量的比例分别为0（不施污泥的对照处理,CK）,30（3%）,60（6%）,120（12%）和240（24%）g·kg^-1。结果表明,污泥使用提高了土壤中养分元素和有机质的含量;黄棕壤中过氧化氢酶的活性平均比潮土中的高5.2%,随污泥用量的增加潮土中过氧化氢酶活性提高,而黄棕壤中的无明显变化;与对照相比,土壤脲酶活性在两种土壤上分别增加55.6%～122%（黄棕壤）和46.2%～67.5%（潮土）,且与土壤全氮、全磷、水解氮、速效磷和有机质（黄棕壤）和土壤全氮、水解氮和有机质（潮土）呈正相关;结果还显示污泥使用增加了土壤蔗糖酶活性,但不同污泥用量之间无明显差异。     

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。     

污泥发酵产物应用于草坪基质的伴生杂草辨识与溯源

通过在工程化草坪生产基地设置污泥发酵产物施川处理,对在草坪应用的杂草问题进行了深入分析。结果表明．污泥发酵物料的掺人增加伴生杂草总量2．92～6．67倍。主要伴生杂草种类为牛筋草（Eleusine indica（Linn）Gaertn）,与对照相比,污泥发酵物处理的牛筋草密度增加O．84～1．67倍;种籽主要来自于污泥物料。适当增加施用深度和预喷施除草刹可昆著降低伴生杂草密度约50％。     

Heavy metals,occurrence and toxicity for plants: a review

Metal contamination issues are becoming increasingly common in India and elsewhere, with many documented cases of metal toxicity in mining industries, foundries, smelters, coal-burning power plants and agriculture. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead, chromium and mercury are major environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Heavy metal accumulation in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food safety and marketability, crop growth due to phytotoxicity, and environmental health of soil organisms. The influence of plants and their metabolic activities affects the geological and biological redistribution of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil. This article details the range of heavy metals, their occurrence and toxicity for plants. Metal toxicity has high impact and relevance to plants and consequently it affects the ecosystem, where the plants form an integral component. Plants growing in metal-polluted sites exhibit altered metabolism, growth reduction, lower biomass production and metal accumulation. Various physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metals. The contemporary investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted by the growing metal pollution in the environment. A few metals, including copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc and chromium are, however, essential to plant metabolism in trace amounts. It is only when metals are present in bioavailable forms and at excessive levels, they have the potential to become toxic to plants. This review focuses mainly on zinc, cadmium, copper, mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, manganese and iron.     

Accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and plants from fly ash contaminated area

The present investigation deals with the accumulation of heavy metals in fields contaminated with fly ash from a thermal power plant and subsequent uptake in different parts of naturally grown plants. Results revealed that in the contaminated site, the mean level of all the metals (Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn and Fe) in soil and different parts (root and shoots) of plant species were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than the uncontaminated site. The enrichment factor (EF) of these metals in contaminated soil was found to be in the sequence of Cd (2.33) > Fe (1.88) > Ni (1.58) > Pb (1.42) > Zn (1.31) > Mn (1.27) > Cr (1.11) > Cu (1.10). Whereas, enrichment factor of metals in root and shoot parts, were found to be in the order of Cd (7.56) > Fe (4.75) > Zn (2.79) > Ni (2.22) > Cu (1.69) > Mn (1.53) > Pb (1.31) > Cr (1.02) and Cd (6.06) approximately equal Fe (6.06) > Zn (2.65) > Ni (2.57) > Mn (2.19) > Cu (1.58) > Pb (1.37) > Cr (1.01) respectively. In contaminated site, translocation factor (TF) of metals from root to shoot was found to be in the order of Mn (1.38) > Fe (1.27) > Pb (1.03) > Ni (0.94) > Zn (0.85) > Cd (0.82) > Cr (0.73) and that of the metals Cd with Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe; Cr with Pb, Mn, Fe and Pb with Fe were found to be significantly correlated. The present findings provide us a clue for the selection of plant species, which show natural resistance against toxic metals and are efficient metal accumulators.     

污泥有机碳在林地土壤中的分解动态

采用室内培养试验研究了不同温度及污泥施入量的条件下土壤后有机碳的降解动态规律。结果表明,污泥有机碳的矿化速度在前期较快(前3周)。在整个培养过程中,污泥有机碳的累积分解率和周分解率变化规律为12%>6%≥24%;结果还表明,污泥有机碳的分解受温度和污泥施用量的影响。在前3周,50℃培养条件下,有机碳的平均累积矿化量分别比30℃和15℃高出52%和71%。此外,随污泥施用量的增加,有机碳的矿化量增加,而矿化率则呈下降趋势。     

城市污泥好氧堆肥过程中重金属的形态转化

城市污泥是一种富含作物生长需要的多种养分的生物固体废弃物,但重金属问题又成为影响污泥农用的关键因素,而重金属的生物活性、迁移性及毒性不仅取决于总量,很大程度上取决于其存在的形态.该实验通过调节城市污泥的水分和C/N比,利用笔者所在课题组自行开发的好氧堆肥反应器进行城市污泥堆肥处理,经过为期20 d的好氧堆肥处理,研究堆肥前后污泥中的重金属总量和化学形态的变化.实验结果表明:堆肥处理由于添加能源调理剂等,使堆肥产品中的重金属含量低于原污泥,符合了农用污泥污染物控制标准;同时堆肥也改变了重金属的化学形态,降低了剧毒性的Cd的生物有效性.对污泥及堆肥的重金属形态研究发现:大部分重金属主要以残渣态形式存在,生物毒性很小,农用时的重金属污染度也很低.     

Hg transfer from contaminated soils to plants and animals

Understanding the transfer of mercury (Hg) from soil to crops is crucial due to Hg toxicity and Hg occurrence in terrestrial systems. Previous research has shown that available Hg in soils contributes to plant Hg levels. Plant Hg concentrations are related to soil conditions and plant characteristics. Mechanistic models describing such soil–plant interactions are however difficult to quantify. Here we performed a field study in agricultural, mining and industrial areas in Portugal to evaluate potential food chain risks. The uptake of Hg by Italian ryegrass, ryegrass, orchard grass, collard greens and rye was measured to calculate daily intakes (DI) of Hg for cows and sheep grazing. A total of 136 soil samples and 129 plant samples were analysed. Results show that total Hg concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 98 mg kg⁻¹ in soils; 0.01–5.4 mg kg⁻¹ in shoots and 0.01–42 mg kg⁻¹ in roots. Calculated DI ranged from 0.18 to 132 mg d⁻¹ for cows, and from 0.028 to 23 mg d⁻¹ for sheep. In 27 grassland sites, daily intakes exceeded the acceptable daily intake of both cows and sheep in view of food safety considering Hg in animal kidneys evidencing potential risks to human health. The transfer of Hg from soil to crops was described using empirical Freundlich-type functions. For ryegrass, orchard grass and collard greens, the soil-to-root or soil-to-shoot transfer of Hg appeared to be controlled by the total soil Hg concentration and levels of Al_ox and Fe_ox. Empirical functions allowed us to obtain realistic estimates of Hg levels in crops and can be used as an alternative to mechanistic models when evaluating food chain risks of Hg contamination in agricultural soils.     

Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and biomass for stabilizing heavy metals and reducing biochar toxicity: A review

The huge amounts of sewage sludge produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants induce major environmental and economical issues, calling for advanced disposal methods. Traditional methods for sewage sludge disposal increase greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Moreover, biochar created from sewage sludge often cannot be used directly in soil applications due to elevated levels of heavy metals and other toxic compounds, which alter soil biota and earthworms. This has limited the application of sewage sludge-derived biochar as a fertilizer. Here, we review biomass and sewage sludge co-pyrolysis with a focus on the stabilization of heavy metals and toxicity reduction of the sludge-derived biochar. We observed that co-pyrolyzing sewage sludge with biomass materials reduced heavy metal concentrations and decreased the environmental risk of sludge-derived biochar by up to 93%. Biochar produced from sewage sludge and biomass co-pyrolysis could enhance the reproduction stimulation of soil biota by 20‒98%. Heavy metals immobilization and transformation are controlled by the co-feed material mixing ratio, pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis atmosphere.