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Toxicity of Light Soil Fertilized by Sewage Sludge or Compost in Relation to PAHs Content

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of light soil fertilization using sewage sludges or composts on soil toxicity for three plant species (Lepidium sativum, Sorgo saccharatum, and Sinapis alba) and crustaceans (Heterocypris incongruens). The results obtained were compared to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) content as a potential toxicity factor. The PAH content in soils fertilized with sludges was proportional to the dose applied. Soil fertilization with the studied materials negatively influenced plant growth and development. The negative influence was clearer in the case of sewage sludges than composts. Both sludges and composts significantly influenced H. incongruens mortality. However, the influence of sludges and composts on H. incongruens growth did not exceed 20%. The EC50 and LC50 values calculated on the basis of toxicity parameters showed that H. incongruens was characterized by a higher sensitivity to sludges and composts than most of the plants. L. sativum was characterized by the lowest EC50 values among all plants. No significant relationships between sewage sludge or compost toxicity and their PAHs content were observed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Soil Reclamation and Waste Management, University of Life Sciences, ul. Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069, Lublin, Poland

    Patryk Oleszczuk

  2. Laboratory of Soil Reclamation and Waste Management, Institute of Soil Science and Environmental Management, University of Agriculture, Lublin, Poland

    Patryk Oleszczuk

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  1. Patryk Oleszczuk
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Correspondence to Patryk Oleszczuk.

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Table S1

PAHs concentration in soil, sewage sludge and compost samples used in the experiment (DOC 53 kb)

Table S2

PAHs concentration in sewage sludge or compost-amended soil (DOC 59 kb)

Table S3

Correlation analysis between toxicity parameters and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content (DOC 58 kb)

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Oleszczuk, P. Toxicity of Light Soil Fertilized by Sewage Sludge or Compost in Relation to PAHs Content. Water Air Soil Pollut 210, 347–356 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0257-8

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