Concentration of Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in soil, sugarcane leaf and juice: residual effect of sewage sludge and organic compost application

Abstract

Many researchers have evaluated the effects of successive applications of sewage sludge (SS) on soil plant-systems, but most have not taken into account the residual effect of organic matter remaining from prior applications. Furthermore, few studies have been carried out to compare the effects of the agricultural use of SS and sewage sludge compost (SSC). Therefore, we evaluated the residual effect of SS and SSC on the heavy metal concentrations in soil and in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) leaves and juice. The field experiment was established after the second harvesting of unburned sugarcane, when the organic materials were applied. The SS and SSC rates were (t ha(-1), dry base): 0, 12.5, 25, and 50; and 0, 21, 42, and 84, respectively. All element concentrations in the soil were below the standards established by São Paulo State environmental legislation. SS promoted small increases in Zn concentrations in soil and Cu concentrations in leaves. However, all heavy metals concentrations in the leaves were lower than the limits established for toxic elements and were in accordance with the limits established for micronutrients. There were reductions in the concentrations of Ni and Cu in soil and the concentration of Pb in juice, with increasing rates of SSC. The heavy metal concentrations were very low in the juice. Under humid tropical conditions and with short-term use, SS and SSC containing low heavy metal concentrations did not have negative effects on plants and soil.

Biosolids: What are the different types of reuse?

“…Consequently, the accumulated heavy metals may mobilize from the soils to groundwater and surface water bodies. Other authors, such as Alvarenga et al 2015, Cai et al (2007), Hargreaves et al (2008) and Moretti et al (2016) point out that the use of compost produced by the mixing of municipal solid wastes and BS can exceed, in some cases, the limits settled by EU ECO Label for Soil Improvers and by the Proposed limit values for compost for the heavy metals, especially for Ni, Pb and Zn (Cai et al, 2007;Hargreaves et al, 2008). Therefore, in order to immobilize heavy metals, alkaline stabilization of BS is identified as a better strategy, as well as the control of heavy metal concentration in BS before their reuse in agriculture.…”

Multi-Analytical Interactions in Support of Sugarcane Agroecosystems Sustainability in Tropical Soils

“…Another organic fertilizer is sewage sludge. Although sewage sludge is also very lacking in K, it has high levels of P [60]. This organic fertilizer can improve soil's physical and chemical characteristics and can increase sugarcane productivity, acid phosphatase activity, and biomass [61].…”

Monitoring and characterization of compost obtained of sludge of ultra-processed food industry by conventional and spectroscopic analyses

“…Composting is a technology capable of obtaining a stabilized, nutrient-rich compound after the treatment of potentially toxic materials, which can benefit agricultural practices and reduce inorganic fertilizer applications (FIALHO et al, 2010;HE et al, 2011). Composting processes are usually characterized by the decomposition of materials that act as nitrogen sources (domestic organic waste) together with structural materials (plant pruning and sawdust) as a carbon source (MORETTI et al, 2016). Several criteria and parameters were proposed and adopted to test the maturity and stability of the compound ALBURQUERQUE;MORAL, 2009).…”