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Environmental consequences of the use of sewage sludge compost and limestone outcrop residue for soil restoration: salinity and trace elements pollution

  • Soils, Sec 5 • Soil and Landscape Ecology • Research Article
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

This article analyzed the use of composted sewage sludge and limestone outcrop residue as a source of saline pollution to groundwater due to their use in soil rehabilitation and land restoration.

Materials and methods

This experiment analyzed the salinity and some important anions and cations related to those wastes under an experimental design based on the use of columns (0–30 cm) formed by both wastes and a heavy irrigation regime. Two different quality waters (saline and nonsaline) were used for irrigation. The pH, electrical conductivity, anions (Cl−, SO4 2−, PO4 3−, and HCO3 −), cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), and heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb) were analyzed.

Results and discussion

The environmental risk of salinization due to the species associated with the use of these materials was important, although chloride and sodium were the most important favoring the salinization of water. The effect was especially detected in the first weeks, while sewage sludge added important amounts of salts to leachates. After that, salinity coming from the irrigation determined the salinization of the groundwater.

Conclusions

The combination of saline water for irrigation with the compost has to be seriously considered as a source of salts and heavy metal pollution for surface and ground waters. Phosphate and trace elements pollution are clearly associated to the use of the composted sewage sludge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agrochemistry and Environment, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Av. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202, Elche, Alicante, Spain

    Ana Pérez-Gimeno, José Navarro-Pedreño, Maria Belén Almendro-Candel, Ignacio Gómez & Manuel M. Jordán

Authors
  1. Ana Pérez-Gimeno
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  2. José Navarro-Pedreño
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  3. Maria Belén Almendro-Candel
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  4. Ignacio Gómez
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  5. Manuel M. Jordán
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Correspondence to Manuel M. Jordán.

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Responsible editor: Claudio Bini

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Pérez-Gimeno, A., Navarro-Pedreño, J., Almendro-Candel, M.B. et al. Environmental consequences of the use of sewage sludge compost and limestone outcrop residue for soil restoration: salinity and trace elements pollution. J Soils Sediments 16, 1012–1021 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1288-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1288-y

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