Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The effect of biosolids on cereals in central New South Wales, Australia. 2. Soil levels and plant uptake of heavy metals and pesticides

J. L. Cooper
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, NSW 2823, Australia; present address for correspondence: PO Box 163, Narromine, NSW 2821, Australia. Email: cooperj@tpg.com.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(4) 445-451 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03100
Submitted: 25 May 2003  Accepted: 29 November 2004   Published: 23 May 2005

Abstract

Two forms of biosolids, with and without lime, were applied to acid soils at 2 sites growing wheat and triticale in central New South Wales. The forms of biosolids used were dewatered sewage sludge cake, and N-Viro Soil which is a lime-amended sewage sludge. Dewatered sewage sludge cake was applied at rates of 0, 6, 12 and 24 dry Mg/ha, and N-Viro soil at 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 dry Mg/ha. The soil was sampled and analysed at 2 points in time to determine the effect of the biosolids on heavy metal concentrations. Vegetative plant material and grain were also analysed for heavy metal and organo-chlorine pesticide levels.

Zinc and copper concentrations increased significantly with the addition of biosolids, especially with the highest rates of dewatered sewage sludge cake. However, all soil heavy metals were below the maximum allowable soil contaminant concentrations set by Environment Protection Authority, NSW. Cereal species, the addition of lime, and biosolids each affected heavy metal concentrations in plant material, but the responses differed between sites. Also, the changes in heavy metal concentrations in plant material were smaller and less consistent than the changes in soil heavy metal concentrations. The maximum heavy metal concentrations in grain were all below the maximum permitted concentrations of Food Standards Australia New Zealand. There were no detectable changes in the levels of organo-chlorine pesticides in the grain.

Additional keywords: acid soil, lime, sewage sludge.


Acknowledgments

The technical assistance of Mr A. Holmes, Mr R. Pither and Mr I. Bamforth in conducting the trials is greatly appreciated. This work would not have been possible without the financial assistance of NSW Agriculture Sludge Applications Program and Sydney Water.


References


Barbarick KA, Ippolito JA, Westfall DG (1995) Biosolids effect on phosphorus, copper, zinc, nickel, and molybdenum concentrations in dryland wheat. Journal of Environmental Quality 24, 608–611. open url image1

Blunt CG, Saunders PJ (1978) The distribution, live sampling for and decline of DDT in steers. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 18, 335–339.
Crossref |
open url image1

Chang AC, Page AL, Warneke JE (1987) Long-term sludge applications on cadmium and zinc accumulation in Swiss chard and radish. Journal of Environmental Quality 16, 217–221. open url image1

Cooper JL (2005) The effect of biosolids on cereals in central New South Wales, Australia. I. Crop growth and yield. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 435–443. open url image1

Corey RB, King LD, Lue-Hing C, Fanning DS, Street JJ, Walker JM (1987) Effects of sludge properties on accumulation of trace elements by crops. In ‘Land application of sludge, food chain implications’. (Eds AL Page, TJ Logan, JA Ryan) pp. 25–51. (Lewis Publishers Inc.: Michigan)

Davies BE, Jones LHP (1988) Micronutrients and toxic elements. In ‘Russell’s soil conditions and plant growth’. 11th edn. (Ed. A Wild) pp. 780–814. (Longman Scientific and Technical: England)

Environment Protection Authority NSW (1997) ‘Environmental guidelines: use and disposal of biosolids products.’ (Environment Protection Authority: Chatswood)

Epstein E (1980) Impact and possibilities of the use of sludge and sludge compost in agriculture. In ‘Agrochemicals in soils’. (Eds A Banin, U Kafkafi) pp. 415–425. (Permagon Press: Oxford, England)

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (2002) Standard A12. Metals and contaminants in food. Available online at: www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/oldfoodstandardscodecontents/parta generalstandards/a12metalsandcontamin658.cfm

Fresquez PR, Francis RE, Dennis GL (1990) Sewage sludge effects on soil and plant quality in a degraded, semiarid grassland. Journal of Environmental Quality 19, 324–329. open url image1

Grant CA, Buckley WT, Bailey LD, Selles F (1998) Cadmium accumulation in crops. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 78, 1–17. open url image1

Jarvis SC (1981) Copper concentrations in plants and their relationship to soil properties. In ‘Copper in soils and plants’. (Eds JF Loneragan, AD Robson, RD Graham) pp. 265–285. (Academic Press: Australia)

Kelling KA, Peterson AE, Walsh LM, Ryan JA, Keeney DR (1977) A field study of the agricultural use of sewage sludge. I. Effect on crop yield and uptake of N and P. Journal of Environmental Quality 6, 339–345. open url image1

Michael P (1987) Broadacre pest control after DDT. Journal of Agricultural Western Australia 28, 75–80. open url image1

Norvell WA (1980) Surface reactions of heavy metals with clays, oxides, and humic substances. In ‘Agrochemicals in soils’. (Eds A Banin, U Kafkafi) pp. 315–336. (Permagon Press: Oxford, England)

Sommers LE (1977) Chemical composition of sewage sludges and analysis of their potential use as fertilisers. Journal of Environmental Quality 6, 225–232. open url image1

Steel RGD, Torrie JH (1960) ‘Principles and procedures of statistics.’ (McGraw Hill Book Co. Inc.: New York)

Underwood EJ (1977) ‘Trace elements in human and animal nutrition.’ 4th edn. (Academic Press Inc.: New York)

Zadoks JC, Chang TT, Konzak CF (1974) A decimal code for the growth stages of cereals. Weed Research 14, 415–421. open url image1