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Effects of sewage sludge fertilizer on heavy metal accumulation and consequent responses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

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Abstract

Use of sewage sludge, a biological residue produced from sewage treatment processes in agriculture, is an alternative disposal technique of waste. To study the usefulness of sewage sludge amendment for Helianthus annuus, a pot experiment was conducted by mixing sewage sludge at 2.5, 5, and 7.5 % (w/w) amendment ratios to the agricultural soil. Soil pH decreased whereas electrical conductivity, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable Na, K, and Ca increased in soil amended with sewage sludge in comparison to unamended soil. Sewage sludge amendment led to significant increase in Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Zn concentrations of soil. The increased concentration of heavy metals in soil due to sewage sludge amendment led to increases in shoot and root concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in plant as compared to those grown on unamended soil. Accumulation was more in roots than shoots for most of the heavy metals. Moreover, high metal removal for the harvestable parts of the crops was recorded. Sewage sludge amendment increased root and shoot length, leaves number, biomass, and antioxidant activities of sunflower. Significant increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and in the glutathione, proline, and soluble sugar content in response to amendment with sewage sludge may be defense mechanisms induced in response to heavy metal stress.

Origin, fate and behavior of sewage sludge fertilizer

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENIS. Laboratory of Water-Energy-Environment, University of Sfax-Tunisia, Street Soukra Km 3.5. BP 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    Dalel belhaj, Nada Elloumi, Bouthaina Jerbi & Monem Kallel

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Botany and Cryptogamy, University of Limoges, GRESE EA 4330, 2 rue du Docteur Marcland, 87025, Limoges, France

    Mohamed Zouari

  3. Department of Life Sciences, University of Sfax-Tunisia, FSS, Street Soukra Km 3.5, Sfax, Tunisia

    Ferjani Ben Abdallah

  4. Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Aquatic Ecosystems, Ecology and Planktonology, University of Sfax-Tunisia, FSS, Street Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia

    Habib Ayadi

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  1. Dalel belhaj
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  2. Nada Elloumi
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Correspondence to Dalel belhaj.

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Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Dalel Belhaj and Nada Elloumi contributed equally to this work.

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belhaj, D., Elloumi, N., Jerbi, B. et al. Effects of sewage sludge fertilizer on heavy metal accumulation and consequent responses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 20168–20177 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7193-0

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