Effect of Sewage Sludge on Trace Element Mobility in Soils

Abstract

Adsorption of Be, F, B, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Tc, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Pb, Bi, and P was measured in a sandy soil and a sandy loam soil at concentration levels closely corresponding to those to be expected for field conditions. Mobilities of the elements in the soils were calculated from the adsorption data. Of the trace elements studied, F, B, and Tc were found to be very mobile in both the sandy and sandy loam soils. Manganese, Sr, and Sb were highly mobile only in the sandy soil, and Mo in the sandy loam soil. In general, sludge solutions appeared to increase the mobility of elements in a soil. This is due to a combination of complexation by dissolved organic compounds, high background concentrations, and high ionic strengths of the soil solutions. The relative effects of these factors vary strongly among elements.Equations were derived predicting the rates of accumulation in soils and accompanying increases in the soil solutions of trace elements added with sewage sludge.When adsorption was related to soil organic matter content, for many trace elements the strength of adsorption was found to depend only on pH, increasing with increasing pH.

Antimony in the environment: knowns and unknowns

“…Very few studies contradict this statement (e.g. Gerritse et al [48] ). It must be mentioned, however, that most of the soils studied were heavily polluted systems, often located in the proximity of mines and smelters (M. Filella, unpubl.…”

Toxicological Profile for Zinc

“…K d values of 100±770 mL/g for sandy loam soil and 0.2±4 mL/g for sandy soils were reported by Gerritse et al (1982). K d values ranging from 0.1 to 8,000 mL/g were reported by Baes and Sharp (1983).…”

“…Distribution constants (K d =concentration of sorbed zinc/concentration of zinc in solution) for zinc in soil range widely from 0.1 to 8,000 L/kg (or mL/g) (Baes and Sharp 1983;Bunzl and Schimmack 1989;Gao et al 1997;Gerritse et al 1982;Janssen et al 1997). K d values of 100±770 mL/g for sandy loam soil and 0.2±4 mL/g for sandy soils were reported by Gerritse et al (1982).…”

“…Data are available that adequately characterize the physical and chemical properties of the various forms of zinc to permit estimation of their environmental fate (ACGIH 1991;Baes and Sharp 1983;Baes et al 1984;Gerritse et al 1982;HSDB 1986HSDB , 1990NIOSH 1990;Weast 1988;Weiss 1986;Windholz 1983).…”

The fate of phosphorus and molybdenum after biosolids, swine manure and triple superphosphate were applied to a soil

“…However, repeated manure application to high STP soils might increase P mobility in the soil (Gerritse et al, 1982;. Summers et al (1979) observed minimal P leaching in a study in Pennsylvania.…”