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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #378221
Research Project: Developing Practices for Nutrient and Byproducts to Mitigate Climate Change, Improve Nutrient Utilization, and Reduce Effects on Environment

Location: Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory

Title: Residual effects of long-term biosolids application on carbon, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in soils from two regions of the United States

Author
item CODLING, ETON - Retired ARS Employee
item JAJA, NGOWARI - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item ADEWUNMI, WALE - Middlesex County Utilities Authority
item EVANYLO, GREGORY - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University

Submitted to: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2020
Publication Date: 4/18/2021
Citation: Codling, E., Jaja, N., Adewunmi, W., Evanylo, G.K. 2021. Residual effects of long-term biosolids application on carbon, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in soils from two regions of the United States. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2020.1869772.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2020.1869772

Interpretive Summary: Sewage sludge (Biosolids) have been used as soil amendments to improve soil texture, structure, pH, carbon and plant nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. However, analysis of biosolids-amended soils from multiple regions of the United States using the same analytical methods is lacking. This study evaluated the lingering effects of long-term biosolids applications on soil pH, electrical conductivity, and carbon, as well as other trace metals like cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc content in soils from two states in the United States. Soil samples were collected from biosolids and comparable no-biosolids fields in New Jersey and Virginia. Long-term biosolids application had little effects on soil pH and electrical conductivity levels compared to areas without biosolids applications. At one location, biosolids-amended soils had elevated carbon levels. Soil Cd and Zn concentration ranges of 2.42 to 3.79 and 149 to 207 mg kg-1 were observed at sites in one location which exceeded the levels of 2 and 100 mg kg-1 respectively considered safe for residential use.

Technical Abstract: Biosolids have been used as soil amendments to improve soil physical and chemical properties. However, analysis of biosolids-amended soils from multiple regions of the United States using consistent analytical methods is lacking. This study evaluated the residual effects of long-term biosolids application on soil pH, electrical conductivity, and carbon, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc content in soils from two states in the United States. There was little difference in pH and EC between biosolids-amended and control soils at all sites. At one location, biosolids-amended soils had elevated carbon levels. Soil Cd and Zn concentration ranges of 2.42 to 3.79 and 149 to 207 mg kg-1 were observed at sites in one location which exceeded the levels of 2 and 100 mg kg-1 respectively considered safe for residential use.