☆ 4.7 Article

Estimation of PCB content in agricultural soils associated with long-term fertilization with organic waste

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH (2016)

Journal

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH

Volume 23, Issue 12, Pages 12372-12383

Publisher

SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6439-1

Keywords

Agricultural soils; Compost; Fertilization; PCBs; Pollution; Sludge

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Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution related to the use of organic waste as fertilizers in agricultural soils is a cause of major concern. In the study presented herein, PCB concentration was studied through a field trial conducted in two agricultural soils in the province of Palencia (Spain) over a 4-year period, assessing the impact of irrigation and of different types of organic waste materials. The amounts of organic waste added to the soil were calculated according to the nitrogen needs of the crop, and the concentration of PCBs was determined before and after the application of the organic waste. The resulting persistence of the total PCB content in the agricultural soils, compared with the PCB concentration in the original soils, ranged from 27% to 90%, with the lowest value corresponding to irrigated soils treated with municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and the highest value to non-irrigated soils treated with composted sewage sludge (CSS). An estimate of the PCB content in agricultural soils after the application of organic waste materials until year 2050 was obtained, resulting in a value below 5 ng center dot g(-1), considered a background value for soils in sites far away from potential pollution sources.

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Fate of microplastics in sewage sludge and in agricultural soils

Asta Hooge, Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen, Wiebke M. Heinze, Gry Lyngsie, Tiffany M. Ramos, Monica H. Sandgaard, Jes Vollertsen, Kristian Syberg

Summary: The aim of this study was to review the occurrence of microplastics in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants and evaluate the implications of sludge application to agricultural soils. Sludge serves as a significant sink for microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, emphasizing its importance as a pathway for environmental exposure. The application of sludge on agricultural fields is associated with increased concentrations of microplastics in soils, potentially impacting soil health. However, sludge treatments prior to application may alter the abundance and properties of microplastics, such as shape and size, subsequently affecting environmental risk. Knowledge gaps still exist regarding sludge treatments and their effects on microplastics. Further investigation is needed to assess the risk of microplastics exposure in wastewater treatment plants, explore the effects of sludge treatments on soil health, and better understand how management practices in wastewater treatment plants and agricultural systems influence microplastic properties.

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