Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Bacteria Tile and Groundwater Quality Following Direct Injection of Dewatered Municipal Biosolids into Soil

Abstract

Application of municipal biosolids (sewage) to agricultural land is a common practice to improve soil physical quality and fertility. Th e chosen method of land application can have a strong impact on the extent of adjacent water contamination by nutrients and bacteria. Dewatered municipal biosolids (DMB) were applied to silt-clay loam experimental fi eld plots in Ontario, Canada using two application methods: (i) surface spreading followed by shallow incorporation (SS) and (ii) a newly developed implement that directly injects DMB into the topsoil (DI). Th e objective of this study was to compare N, P, and bacteria quality of tile drainage and shallow groundwater associated with each land application technique. Th ere were no signifi cant diff erences (P > 0.05) in N, P, and bacteria tile mass loads among the application treatments for time periods <100 d postapplication, when the greatest peak loads and peak tile water concentrations were observed. Both land application treatments caused groundwater Escherichia coli contamination to at least 1.2 m depth below surface after the fi rst postapplication rainfall event, and NO 3 -N contamination to at least 2.0 m depth below surface. Th e DI treatment did, however, have signifi cantly (P < 0.05) higher tile mass loads of total Kjeldahl N (TKN), total phosphorus (TP), E. coli, Enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens relative to the SS treatment for time periods >100 d postapplication. Nevertheless, relative to tile effl uent data collected <100 d postapplication (no application treatment diff erences), peak loads, and concentrations during this time were, overall, considerably lower for both treatments. Th is fi nding, along with no signifi cant diff erences in N, P, and bacteria groundwater concentrations among the application treatments, and that the direct injection technique could potentially reduce vector attraction problems and odor, suggests that the direct injection technique should be considered a dewatered municipal biosolid land application option.

Microbial and Chemical Markers: Runoff Transfer in Animal Manure-Amended Soils

“…Our results are in agreement with previous studies showing that the nature of the effluent has an impact on the runoff. Thus, runoff is greatly stimulated when the effluent is in liquid form, such as swine slurry (Heinonen‐Tanski and Uusi‐Kämppä, 2001; Berry et al, 2007; Lapen et al, 2008), whereas solid wastes enhance retention of the micoorganisms by the soil surface (Chetochine et al, 2006; Gottschall et al, 2009; Horswell et al, 2010).…”

Long-Term Monitoring of Waterborne Pathogens and Microbial Source Tracking Markers in Paired Agricultural Watersheds under Controlled and Conventional Tile Drainage Management

“…However, it is well documented that conventional tile drainage can serve as an efficient means by which agricultural pollutants from field systems can enter the broader surface water environment (1)(2)(3)(4). Fecal pollution in tile drainage as derived from land application of manure or municipal biosolids is well documented (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

Effects of Biosolids and Manure Application on Microbial Water Quality in Rural Areas in the US

“…In addition, Munir and Xagoraraki [99] reported that 24 manure samples from three farms and 18 biosolids samples from seven different wastewater treatment plants across Michigan were analyzed for tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes (Tet-W, Tet-O, and Sul-I). They reported high concentrations of antibiotic resistance genes in manure and biosolids samples.…”