Agricultural reclamation of disturbed soils in a lignite mining area using municipal and coal wastes: the humus situation at the beginning of reclamation

Soils disturbed by long-term opencast mining were treated with organic waste materials for reclamation. Humic substances were extracted from waste and soil samples and analysed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and electrofocusing. Furthermore, analytical pyrolysis permits to study all starting materials in situ. According to structural similarities, the statistical evaluation of the pyrolysis results clearly indicates three sample groups. The first group, called compost, implies the waste materials compost and composted sewage sludge. Moreover, pyrolysis revealed that coal humic substances are predominant in brown coal sludge, pure mine soils and mine soils treated with the different organic waste materials. They constitute the second group. The sewage sludge contains a high nitrogen potential, as expected, and represents the third group. Finally, pyrolysis generally showed the specific structural characteristics of humic and fulvic acids, respectively. Electrofocusing yielded for all samples a signal pattern that is typical of humic substances. However, number and ratio of the signals differ according to the special structural features of the samples. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The influence of composting on the fertilizing value of an aerobic sewage sludge

The influence of composting on the fertilizing value of an aerobic sewage sludge and its action on ryegrass was studied. Soil P and K contents, cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and CEC/total organic carbon incresed with composting, while the percentage of phytotoxic substances diminished. The compost provided useful quantities of organic matter and macronutrients. The addition of uncomposted waste to the soil initially had a depressive effect on yield which disappeared after a period of incubation of this material in the soil, whereas the application of a mature compost produced yields superior to those in the control treatment.     

Soil microcosm experiments to study the effects of waste material application on nitrogen and carbon turnover of lignite mine spoils in Lusatia (Germany)

The lignite and pyrite containing spoil substrates of the Lusatian mining district are marked by very high acidity and salt concentrations due to pyrite oxidation and by a very low content of pedogenic organic matter and nutrients. The effects of fly ash application to neutralize the produced acid and of organic waste material application to improve the ecological soil functions were studied considering the carbon and nitrogen cycling. Nineteen, 38 and 57 t ha⁻¹ sewage sludge and 22, 44 and 66 t ha⁻¹ compost were applied to ameliorated lignite and pyrite containing substrate. An automated soil microcosm system was used to analyse the solid, gaseous and liquid phases. Almost 9% of total N applied with sewage sludge (620, 1240 and 1860 t N ha⁻¹ applied) were lost over a period of 150 days mainly as NO₃-N. The total N losses from compost treatments were three times lower (2.8–3.1% of applied Nt) and occurred in similar quantities as NH4-N and NO₃-N. Only sewage sludge treatments showed slightly increased N₂O emissions at the beginning of the experiment. CO₂ emissions determined the carbon losses of all treatments. The C losses amounted to 3.2–4.7% and 1.5–2.7% of C_t applied with sewage sludge and with compost, respectively. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

城市污泥农用对植物-土壤系统的影响

城市污泥的合理处置是目前资源与环境科学研究领域中的重要课题之一.城市污泥因富含大量的有机质和有效营养成分,对农业土壤肥力、土壤物理结构和农业生产均有一定的积极促进作用,使得污泥农用成为可能.但城市污泥中含有的重金属、有机污染物等有害物质尤其是重金属,成为污泥农用处置的瓶颈.为提高我国城市污泥的农业资源化利用效率和减少污染物造成的负面效应,本文就国内外施用城市污泥对植物-土壤互作系统的影响及过程进行了综述,为进一步提高污泥利用效率提供理论依据和科学指导.     

Copper and zinc fractions affecting microorganisms in long-term sludge-amended soils

The influences of Zn and Cu on soil enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, cellulase, dehydrogenase, protease (z-FLase), urease, beta-D-glucosidase and beta-D-fructofuranosidase (invertase)) and microbial biomass carbon were investigated in agricultural soils amended with municipal sewage sludge or compost since 1978. The trace metals in the soils were fractionated using a sequential extraction method. Long-term application of the sewage sludge and composts caused accumulations of Cu and Zn in the soils, ranging from 140 to 144 and from 216 to 292 mg kg(-1), respectively. The percentage of Cu was highest in the NaOH- and HNO3-extractable fractions (44-51% and 38-46%, respectively), while the percentage of Zn was highest in the HNO3- and EDTA-extractable fractions (65-83% and 11-32%, respectively). Although the percentage of the bioavailable fractions (sum of KNO3 + H2O-, NaOH-, and EDTA-extractable amounts) of Cu (53-64%) was higher than that of Zn (15-37%), the percentage of the most labile fractions (KNO3 + H2O) of Zn (2.1-5.9%) was larger than that of Cu (1.1-2.4%). The size of the microbial biomass carbon increased with the application of sewage sludge or compost. For some enzymes, however, the ratio of the enzyme activity to microbial biomass was lower in the soils amended with sewage sludge or compost than that in the control soil. The soil enzyme activities were more adversely affected by Zn than by Cu. From a multiple regression analysis, it was found that dehydrogenase, urease, and beta-D-glucosidase activities were reduced by the KNO3 + H2O-extractable fraction of Zn in the soils. These microbial activities seem to be sensitive to Zn stress, indicating the possibility that they might be useful bioindicators for evaluation of the toxic effects of Zn on microorganisms in the soils.     

Impacts of long-term application of organic fertilizers on soil quality parameters in reclaimed loess soils of the Rhineland lignite mining area

On the basis of long-term field experiments, the impact is demonstrated of the periodic application of organic fertilizers on the accumulation of organic matter and the development of the micro-pollutant content of reclaimed loess soils of the Rhineland lignite mining area under agricultural use. The oldest of these experiments (‘Berrenrath Humus Accumulation Experiment’) was begun in 1969. The results show that the regular input of organic matter (e.g. manure, waste compost, sewage sludge) favors the accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM). However, the type of organic material applied seems to be less important to the long-term accumulation process than the application rate. This is also true for composted and uncomposted manure, if the decay of organic matter during the composting process is taken into account. Nevertheless, the application of similar amounts of organic C in the form of manure resulted in a higher accumulation of SOM in a nitrogen-reduced farming system. Depending on the treatment, accumulation rates were between 0.02 and 0.08% SOM per year with values decreasing with time. From these results, it is estimated that reclaimed soils will take much longer to reach the former SOM level than was previously assumed. However, it is important to determine which SOM level is adequate for different soil functions (e.g. production function, filter and buffer function, transformation function), and whether the young SOM of reclaimed soils has the same properties as older SOM in undisturbed topsoils. As was expected, long-term fertilization with sewage sludge and waste compost led to an accumulation of some micro-pollutants in the topsoils treated. Nevertheless, the observed concentrations are quite low compared to background levels in topsoils of rural regions in North Rhine-Westphalia. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessing the microbiological,biochemical, soil-physical and hydrological effects of amelioration of degraded soils in semiarid Spain

The way of improving degraded soils fertility and particularly of improving its microbial activity is to add “young” exogenous organic matter that contribute to provide labile organic matter to stimulate the life of the microorganisms existing in the soil. This organic matter will also improve both the retention and hydraulic characteristics of the degraded soils, all this contributing to soil restoration. In this study, the microbiological, biochemical, soil-physical and hydrological effects of the addition of a municipal solid waste compost to a degraded soil in El Campello, SE Spain were evaluated in a field experiment. Soil samples from experimental plots were analyzed 6 and 18 months after soil amendment. In both sampling time treated plots showed significantly higher microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity values than control, indicating that soil microbial population’s development and activity were stimulated by compost addition, this effect being not ephemeral but lasting in the time. Soil urease activity was not affected by compost addition while protease hydrolysing N-α-benzoil-L-argininamide (BAA) activity was strongly stimulated by the incorporation of compost into the soils. Phosphatase and β-glucosidase activities were also stimulated by the organic amendment, this stimulation being particularly noticeable 18 months after the compost addition. Nevertheless, this increase in soil microbial populations and activity did not result in an increase in soil aggregation and hydrological parameters. This can be due to the high content of carbonates and Ca²⁺ ions in these calcareous soils, that lead to an initially high content of water-stable macroaggregates. Presented at the International Conference on Bioclimatology and Natural Hazards, Poľana nad Detvou, Slovakia, 17–20 September 2007.     

Characterization of organic matter microstructure dynamics during co-composting of sewage sludge, barks and green waste

A microstructure characterization study using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was conducted to specify organic matter dynamics during the co-composting process of sewage sludge, green waste and barks. TEM results showed that ligneous and polyphenolic compounds brought by barks were not biodegraded during composting. Green waste brought more or less biodegraded ligneous constituents and also an active microbial potential. Chloroplasts and sludge flocs appeared to be relevant indicators of green waste and sewage sludge in composted products, as they were still viewable at the end of the process. TEM characterization of the final product highlighted two main fractions of organic matter, one easily available and a more recalcitrant one, and also a remaining microbial activity. Thus microstructure characterization appeared to be an appropriate way of taking the heterogeneity of the organic constituents' size and composition into account when attempting to specify such compost quality parameters as maturity and stability.     

Ground beetle communities on reclaimed mine spoil: Effects of organic matter application and revegetation

On a study site in the Lusatian lignite mining region (Germany), sandy mine spoil was ameliorated with either sewage sludge, compost or mineral fertilizer. Plots were sown with the grass Secale multicaule and planted with pine seedlings except for a control that was not meliorated and not revegetated. Pitfall catches of ground beetles in 1996/97 yielded high numbers of species and individuals directly after revegetation. The dominant beetles were xerophilic species, known to prefer open sandy sites. Catches in different plots were positively correlated with the amount of vegetation cover and declined as follows: amelioration with sewage sludge > compost > mineral fertilizer > untreated control. Even beetles characteristic of open sandy sites showed a distinct preference for plots with high vegetation cover treated with organic waste. For the dominant species, an attraction to shelter and a more balanced, humid microclimate is assumed. A year-to-year comparison showed an increase in beetles typical of dry grasslands and ruderal sites in the second year, while characteristic species of open sandy sites decreased. Application of organic waste combined with revegetation led to an immediate increase in beetle numbers. In the long term, revegetation would be expected to reduce suitable habitats for endangered ground beetles which prefer open sites with poor sandy soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of Organic Residues and Liming Materials on Metal Extraction from a Mining-Contaminated Soil

Incubation tests were used to assess the effectiveness of three different organic residues and three different liming materials, alone or in combination, in the remediation of a mine contaminated soil. The organic residues tested were sewage sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (SS), compost from the organic fraction of unsorted municipal solid waste (MSWC), and garden waste compost (GWC), applied at 100 and 200 Mg ha^{? 1}. The liming materials tested were agriculture limestone (6.4 Mg ha^{? 1}), calcium oxide (3.7 Mg ha^{? 1}), and sugar beet sludge (12.2 Mg ha^{? 1}) from the sugar manufacturing process. The soil and mixtures of soil and amendments were adjusted to 70% of the maximum water holding capacity and incubated for 28 days in a controlled-temperature room at 20°C ± 1°C. At the end of the incubation, samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, CaCl₂-extractable, and' NH4Ac/HAc+ EDTA–extractable metal fractions (Cu, Zn, and Pb). Correlations among the variables and/or similarities among the treatments were identified by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The amendments tested decreased the CaCl₂-extractable Cu and Zn fractions, considered as mobile metal fractions, to below analytical detectable limits, providing organic matter to the soil with levels between 1% and 2% at the end of the experiment, significantly different relatively to the original soil. pH and electrical conductivity reached high values when using 200 Mg ha^{? 1} SS or 200 Mg ha^{? 1} MSWC, with any of the liming materials tested, making these application rates excessive for this particular situation. Furthermore, the treatments using MSWC increased the NH4Ac/HAc+ EDTA–extractable Cu, Pb, and Zn fractions, considered as mobilizable metal fractions, as did the 200 Mg ha^{? 1} SS for Pb and Zn. Considering the overall results, the compost made from garden waste decreased metal solubility in the soil and increased soil pH and organic matter content, without the addition of large amounts of soluble salts, and without increasing the mobilizable metal content. Of the organic materials tested, this was the only one that can be considered adequate for remediation of the contaminated soil under study, at the application rates tested.     

不同类型土壤小麦-水稻轮作体系施用含重金属污泥的环境效应

采用贵州黄壤、石灰土和浙江水稻土,通过盆栽试验探讨了在3种土壤上施用含不同浓度重金属的污泥对小麦、水稻生长及锌(Zn)镉(Cd)吸收性的影响.结果表明： 不同土壤施用同种污泥所产生的重金属污染风险不同,在黄壤和水稻土上施用高浓度重金属污泥对作物的污染风险较高.一次施用Zn、Cd浓度分别为1789、8.47 mg·kg-1的污泥1.6%,使黄壤小麦籽粒中Zn、Cd浓度分别达109、0.08 mg·kg-1;第二次施用后种植水稻,糙米中Zn、Cd浓度达52.0、0.54 mg·kg-1.而施用污泥后石灰性土壤的两种作物其可食部分均无重金属污染风险.土壤醋酸铵提取态Zn是影响麦粒和糙米中Zn浓度的主要因素,而土壤醋酸铵提取态Cd对麦粒和糙米中Cd浓度无明显影响.施用高浓度重金属污泥使3种土壤Zn、Cd全量显著提高,且两次施用后土壤全量Zn均超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准.     

Effects of Composts from Agroindustrial Wastes on Microbial Activity of a Typic Xerofluvent Soil Under Mediterranean Conditions,SE Turkey

Supplementing the nutrient requirement of crops through organic manures as compost derived from agroindustrial wastes plays a key role in sustaining soil fertility, and crop productivity and reducing use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, this work was conducted for investigating the effects of addition of oily cumin compost (CC) and oily oregano compost (OC) (these composts were derived from oily cumin and oily oregano wastes of aromatic plant factory) at rates of 40 t ha^?1 to identify those potential organic amendments that might improve the quality of an Entisol. Additionally, those effects on the biochemical properties of a Typic xerofluvent soil were compared to chemical fertilization (CF) and also control (CT) during a cotton vegetation period under a Mediterranean climatic condition. Soil biological status was evaluated by measuring the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal soil respiration (BSR), N-mineralization (N_min), soil metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase-DHG, urease-UA, protease-PRO, and alkaline phosphate-ALKPA) in soil samples that were collected on the 19th, 78th and 190th days followed by compost application to the experimental soils. The MBC, BSR and qCO₂, as well as soil enzyme activities, increased significantly in the compost-treated soils compared with the CF-treated soil and nontreated soils (CT) with respect mean values. The level of microbial activity of soil applied chemical fertilizer was almost the same to those of control soil. As a result of cumin compost (CC) application 137-1810% increase of the level of microbial activity with respect to the CT and CF, followed by OC, 47-314% occurred at the end of the experiment. Because of this there were no toxic effects caused by composts observed. The application of these composts to the soil resulted in the most increase in DHG activity significantly. The application of CC with a C/N ratio of 23 resulted a more favorable soil biological properties than the application of OC (C/N ratio = 32) during cotton vegetation period (190 days). Results from this study suggest that composted aromatic plant wastes can be used to enhance the soil microbial activity, thereby promoting plant growth.     

Effects of pulp mill solids and three composts on early growth of tomatoes

Compost has been proposed as a means of simultaneously diverting organic materials from landfills while producing a valuable product that improves tilth, organic matter content and nutrient supply of agricultural soils. Composts manufactured from different source materials may have markedly different properties however, even if they meet all regulatory requirements. We compared the capacity of composts made from three different combinations of organic wastes (horse manure and bedding, mink farm wastes, municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage sludge) along with clarifier solids from a chemo-thermomechanical pulp mill, to enhance the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings grown in nutrient-poor organic potting soil. Germination and seedling emergence of tomatoes, cress (Lapidium sativum L.) or radish (Raphanus sativus L.) were tested to assess phytotoxicity of the four amendments. Mink farm compost and horse manure compost stimulated root and shoot growth of tomato seedlings but MSW compost and pulp mill solids were strongly inhibitory. MSW compost and unamended potting soil also inhibited seedling emergence and pulp mill solids produced stunting and deformities in radish and cress seedlings. Both toxic constituents and nutrient imbalances may be responsible for the growth-inhibiting effects of these amendments. Application of pulp mill solids to agricultural soil without composting may lead to deleterious effects on vegetable crops.     

Heavy metal contents of vegetable crops treated with refuse compost and sewage sludge

Refuse compost and sewage sludge were mixed with a loamy sand at various rates in pots and sown withBrassica chinensis, Daucus carota andLycopersicon esculentum in a glasshouse. A commercial fertilizer was also applied to the same soil for comparison. Dry matter production of the three crops and contents of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in the harvested tissues were determined at the end of the experiment. In general, crop yield in refuse compost treatment was improved over that in sandy soil alone, but was less than that in the sludge and fertilizer treatments. Despite the relatively high heavy metal contents of refuse compost, crops grown on compost-treated soils accumulated lower levels of metal than those grown on sludge-treated soils. This is probably due to the high pH and organic matter content of the composted refuse. Higher levels of heavy metals were found in the roots than in the aerial parts ofB. chinensis andL. esculentum, but the reverse was found inD. carota. In the edible tissue of the three crops,L. esculentum accumulated metals to a lesser extent than the other two.     

Evaluation of sewage sludge, septic waste and sludge compost applications to corn and forage: yields and N, P and K content of crops and soils

This paper presents the data from two years of experiments concerned with the application of aerobically-digested sewage sludge, anaerobic lagoon septic sludge, sewage sludge compost or fertilizer to soils for grass forage and feed corn (Zea mays L.) production at two different sites 45 km from Truro, Nova Scotia. Crop yields, plant tissue and Mehlich-1 extractable soil nutrients were evaluated; 15 elements were analyzed in the plant tissue and nine elements in the soil extracts. This paper describes the results of crop yields, plant N, P and K content and Mehlich-1 extractable P and K. The research demonstrated the fertilizer produced higher yields of grass forage than the sludge and the compost but equivalent to the sludge in corn yields. Forage and corn N, P and K contents, however, varied with treatment, crop and year, while the compost-amended soils were highest in extractable nutrients. Both sludges and the compost, therefore, could be effective sources of N, P and K for crop production. Compared to the conventional fertilizer, the nutrient availability from the organic amendments (especially N and P) was considerably lower than the 50% assumed at the start of the experiment; the sludges however, provided higher nutrient availability than the compost.     

城市污泥堆肥对栽培基质保水能力和有效养分的影响

盆栽试验表明 ,城市污泥堆肥不仅可以明显提高栽培基质的有效氮、磷含量 ,而且可以增强栽培基质的保水性能和植物的抗旱能力 ,但是栽培基质的萎焉点也随着其用量的增加而增高。因此 ,从保证植物水分供应的角度考虑 ,虽然可以大量地使用城市污泥堆肥 ,但是其用量并不是越多越好 ;当用量超过 75 %时 ,继续增加城市污泥堆肥的比例 ,则植物的吸水能力反而会略有下降。从养分供应和保水性能等角度综合考虑 ,采用经过堆肥化处理的城市污泥作为植物栽培基质 ,是城市污泥资源化和无害化的可行途径     

Distribution of heavy metals in a sewage oxidation pond and their adsorption in residual solid (sewage sludge ash)

Abstract

Electrometric studies were carried out on the interaction of heavy metal ions such as manganese, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead with the extracted organic matter, humic and fulvic acid from the sludge in a sewage oxidation pond. The distribution of heavy metals was between 60 and 97%, which is associated with the solid waste (sludge) of the oxidation pond. The adsorption/removal efficiency of metal ions onto the sludge ash was more than 90% and 97%, respectively, in the pure system. To obtain the ash, the sludge was burnt at 500°C, treated with nitric acid (1+1) to leach out all the metals and then filtered; the residue left on the filter paper was the pure ash. Both this and that coated with organic matter were studied. The adsorption isotherm for metals, humic/fulvic acids and metal-humic/fulvic acid complexes in the metal-free sludge ash and in the organic matter in the pure system were studied using the Freundlich relationship. Good agreement was found suggesting that sediment and humic/fulvic acids have an important role in the mobility, dispersion and sedimentation of metal ions in an aquatic environment. More of these heavy metals are removed in the pure system than in the natural system. This may be due to the lesser availability of humic and fulvic acids in the lagoons during the short detention time of sewage in suspension in the oxidation pond, whereas the sludge which has settled to the bottom of the pond for several years contains rich decomposed organic matter in the form of humic and fulvic acids containing heavy metals. Such pure systems could be useful for the effective removal of heavy metals.     

城市污泥在矿山废弃地复垦的应用探讨

Based on the analysis of the existing problems in reclaimingabandoned mining land and their negative effect on the ecological environment,and in view of the limited factors to reclaim abandoned mining land,this paper puts forward the suggestions of using sewage sludge as an alternative in mining land reclamation.Application of sewage sludge in reclamation has beneficial effects, such as increasing organic matter content, preventing soil erosion,recovering vegetation,and promoting microbial population and its activities.Unfavorable factors including heavy metal and organic pollutant for applications of sewage sludge and their countermeasures are also discussed.     

Mid‐term effects on ecosystem services of quarry restoration with Technosols under Mediterranean conditions: 10‐year impacts on soil organic carbon and vegetation development

The use of Technosols for the restoration of limestone quarries overcomes the usual “in situ” scarcity of soil and/or its poor quality. The use of mine spoils, improved with mineral and/or organic amendments, could be an efficient and environmentally friendly option. Properly treated sewage sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants could be a suitable organic amendment and fertilizer (rich in N and P) whenever its pollutant burden is low (heavy metals and/or organic pollutants). Its appropriate use could improve essential soil physical and chemical properties and, therefore, promote key ecosystem services of restored areas, such as biomass production and carbon sequestration, as well as biodiversity and landscape recovery. However, the mid‐term impacts of these restoration practices on soil functioning and their services have rarely been reported in the available literature. In this study we assess the mid‐term effects (10 years) of the use of sewage sludge as a Technosol amendment on soil organic carbon (SOC), nutrient status, and plant development in several restored quarries. Soils restored using sewage sludge showed a threefold increase in SOC compared to the corresponding unamended ones, despite the moderate sludge dosage applied (below 50 tonnes/ha). Plant cover was also higher in amended soils, and recruitment was not affected by sludge amendment at these doses. This study demonstrates that, used at an appropriate rate, sewage sludge is a good alternative for the valorization of mine spoils in quarry restoration, improving some important regulatory ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, without compromising woody plant encroachment.     

Mobility and survival of Salmonella Typhimurium and human adenovirus from spiked sewage sludge applied to soil columns

Aims:  This study investigated the survival and transport of sewage sludge-borne pathogenic organisms in soils.
Methods and Results:  Undisturbed soil cores were treated with Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium- lux (STM- lux ) and human adenovirus (HAdV)-spiked sewage sludge. Following an artificial rainfall event, these pathogens were analysed in the leachate and soil sampled from different depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm) after 24 h, 1 and 2 months. Significantly more STM- lux and HAdV leached through the soil cores when sewage sludge was present. Significantly more STM- lux were found at all soil depths, at all time periods in the sewage sludge treatments, compared to the controls. The rate of decline of STM- lux in the controls was more rapid than in the sewage sludge treatments. Survival and transport of HAdV were minimal.
Conclusions:  The presence of sewage sludge can significantly influence the transport and survival of bacterial pathogens in soils, probably because of the presence of organic matter. Environmental contamination by virus is unlikely because of strong soil adsorption.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study suggests that groundwater contamination from vertical movement of pathogens is a potential risk and that it highlights the importance of the treatment requirements for biosolids prior to their application to land.