Sustaining Biosolids Recycling Under Phosphorus-Based Nutrient Management

Abstract

Forty-nine states have developed site assessment tools (Phosphorus (P) indices) to rank agricultural fields based on vulnerability to P loss. Because long-term biosolids application causes accumulation of soil P above concentrations needed for optimum crop yields, land-based recycling programs may be adversely affected by deployment of P management policies. Ninety-five active biosolids recycling fields were evaluated using the Pennsylvania P index. Without accounting for biosolids P solubility, only 22 of 95 fields qualify for standard nitrogen (N)-based biosolids application rates. Using biosolids-specific P source coefficients, based on laboratory testing, 76 fields could be managed by applying biosolids to satisfy crop N needs. Changes in crop management practices, biosolids application methods, and variables affecting crop / conservation practices were also evaluated as options for decreasing the overall P index ratings for the fields. A combination of measures could be used to qualify nearly all fields for Nbased biosolids application. Adapting this approach to other state P site assessment tools is essential for sustaining land application as a biosolids recycling option.

Terrestrial ecological risk evaluation for triclosan in land‐applied biosolids

“…Application rates in Europe and Canada are more restrictively regulated and are considerably lower (Hughes et al 2008;Schowanek et al 2007). To define a probability distribution of US biosolids application rates, we compiled data from representative land application reports submitted to USEPA Region 9 (L. Fondahl, personal communication) and from Pennsylvania State University researchers (Brandt and Elliott 2009;R. Brandt, personal communication).…”