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Sewage Biosolids Cumulative Effects on Extractable‐Soil and Grain Elemental Concentrations
Author(s) -
Barbarick K. A.,
Ippolito J. A.,
Westfall D. G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1997.00472425002600060033x
Subject(s) - biosolids , loam , sewage sludge , environmental chemistry , soil water , chemistry , soil pollutants , agronomy , sewage , environmental science , soil contamination , environmental engineering , soil science , biology
While land application of sewage biosolids is the most expedient method of recycling plant nutrients, concern over trace element additions resulted in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) beneficial‐use regulations. We studied 11‐yr biosolids addition effects on ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB‐DTPA) and 4 M HNO 3 extractable levels of soil Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn, and the relationship between the soil‐extractable concentrations and grain concentrations. The soils at our four dryland wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) sites were Aridic Paleustolls (Weld and Platner loam). For each application, we used four rates of biosolids (0, 7, 14, and 28 Mg ha −1 ) from the Littleton/Englewood, CO Wastewater Treatment Plant. We tested linear, quadratic, and either exponential‐rise (plateau) or exponential‐decay models for AB‐DTPA‐ and 4 M HNO 3 ‐extractable concentrations compared with the cumulative quantity of biosolids‐borne element added and with elemental grain concentrations. Models for AB‐DTPA‐extractable Cu, P, Pb, and Zn and 4 M HNO 3 ‐extractable Cu and P vs. the cumulative quantity added produced R 2 values ≥ 0.46. For grain concentrations, only the models for AB‐DTPA vs. grain Zn produced an R 2 ≥ 0.50. For monitoring soil levels of Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn in Paleustolls (common soils in the western Great Plains dryland wheat areas) that continuously receive biosolids, we recommend AB‐DTPA over 4 M HNO 3 soil extractions. The AB‐DTPA extractions also provide soil fertility information (NO 3 ‐N and plant available P, K, and micronutrients).