Changes in physical and chemical properties of three soil types in India as a result of amendment with fly ash and sewage sludge

The use of coal fly ash and domestic sewage sludge in agriculture is being considered as one of the methods for recycling of these wastes in an environmental beneficial manner. Mixtures with soil were prepared at different proportions of fly ash and sludge, either alone or in combination at a maximum application rate of 52 t ha^-1. The changes in the selected properties and heavy metal contents of three soil types in India were studied after incubating the respective mixtures for 90 days at near field capacity moisture level. Sewage sludge, due to its acidic and saline nature, high organic matter and heavy metals content, had more impact on soil properties than the fly ash. Sludge application produced several changes including an increase in available nitrogen, organic carbon, salinity and water-holding capacity of the soils. The concentrations of major cations and heavy metals also increased because of the sludge application and the pH was decreased. However, the levels of individual metal concentrations in all the mixture types were below the allowable limits prescribed by several environmental agencies. Using fly ash either alone or in equal quantity with sewage sludge had little influence on soil properties and heavy metal content. The relative availability (RA) of heavy metals in three soils amended with 52 t ha^-1 of sewage sludge was observed to be highest in oxisol, followed by alfisol and vertisol.     

Technosols made with various urban wastes showed contrasted performance for tree development during a 3-year experiment

Vegetation in urban areas is generally living in a stress-inducing environment. Sustaining good soil quality is crucial to improve tree development and heath in such (artificial) environment. This study investigates the dynamics of the physico-chemical properties of Technosol, and compares tree development performances in various waste mixtures. A 3-year experiment was conducted with Acer platanoïdes L. grown in three distinct constructed soils, in three replicates, in 0.480-m³ lysimeters in Angers (France). Four combinations of artefacts were studied either as “growing material” (GM) or “structural material” (SM). Three different SMs were used: (1) a mixture of fine mineral material, demolition rubble and green waste (SM-DR/GW), (2) a mixture of fine mineral material, track ballast and sewage sludge (SM-TB/SS), and (3) the SM currently used by Angers city for green space settlements (SM-CT). Waste characteristics and mixing proportions both affected tree development. Physical properties were not a limiting factor for tree development, despite a relatively low soil water reservoir due to high stone content. Moreover, the chemical properties of the materials, more particularly low water pH and CEC, led to poor tree development in SM-CT, whereas the other two SMs did not affect tree development. SM-TB/SS was the most suitable constructed soil after 3 years because it exhibited satisfactory soil nutrient contents that promoted the best tree crown quality. Waste mixtures can sustain soil functions for tree development. As for urban street tree pits that are 2–8 m³ in volume, soil water, and nutrient autonomy should satisfactorily sustain tree development.     

A geoenvironmental application of burned wastewater sludge ash in soil stabilization

This paper studied the use of burned sludge ash as a soil stabilizing agent. The sludge ash was obtained from a public wastewater treatment plant, and it was burned at 550 °C. Different percentages of burned sludge ash were mixed with three different types of clayey soil. A laboratory study consisting of Atterberg’s limits test, unconfined compressive strength test, standard proctor density test, and swelling pressure test were carried out on samples treated with burned sludge at different percentages by dry weight of the clayey soils. The results show that the addition of 7.5 % of the burned sludge ash by the dry weight of the soil will increase the unconfined compressive strength and maximum dry density and also decrease the swelling pressure and the swell potential of the soil. The addition of percentage higher than 7.5 % by dry weight of the soil decreases both the maximum dry density and the unconfined compressive strength; as a result it showed less effectiveness in stabilizing the soil. The conclusion of this research revealed that the burned sludge ash can be used as a promising material for soil stabilization.     

石漠化地区不同种植年限李树土壤呼吸月动态变化研究

选取桂林恭城县国家可持续发展试验示范区石漠化治理过程中不同种植年限李树样地土壤为研究对象,对土壤呼吸进行以月为周期的监测,结果表明:（1）不同种植年限李树土壤呼吸速率的变化趋势随月份变化基本保持一致,呈现多峰形,而从季节尺度上看,随着春夏秋冬四季的交替,土壤呼吸速率逐渐下降;（2）李树种植年限在不同程度上对土壤呼吸速率均有影响,2 a,5 a和20 a的土壤呼吸速率年均值分别为48.56 mgC·（m2·h）-1、45.63 mgC·（m2·h）-1、41.64 mgC·（m2·h）-1,其中幼龄期（2 a）和盛果期（5 a）土壤呼吸速率较高,高的土壤呼吸速率反映了较快的有机代谢和物质循环,是为了满足植物在生长初期所需的碳源及养分,而20 a李树处于生长老龄期,其已维持了一个较稳定的地下生态系统,土壤呼吸作用降低;（3）在雨热同期（4-8月）时,土壤温度和土壤含水量之间呈极显著负相关关系（P<0.01）,土壤温度和土壤呼吸速率之间呈极显著负相关关系（P<0.01）,而土壤含水量与土壤呼吸速率呈极显著正相关关系（P<0.01）,这主要是由于土壤呼吸在时间尺度上存在滞后效应。      

粉煤灰土壤及所产蔬菜的有害元素含量变化和环境意义

利用南京第二热电厂湿排的粉煤灰,进行了改良蔬菜土壤的试验,并对试验用的粉煤灰、不同施灰量的土壤及所产蔬菜共３８ 个样品的有害元素和放射性元素含量进行了系统的测定。结果表明：这些元素在土壤中的含量与粉煤灰施用量无明显相关性;在本次试验范围内施用粉煤灰没有造成土壤的污染;其所产蔬菜的这些元素含量也均低于国家卫生标准限值,食用是安全的。     

粉煤灰土壤主所产蔬菜的有害元素含量变化的环境意义

利用南京第二热电厂湿排的粉煤灰,进行了改良蔬菜土壤的试验,并对试验用的粉煤灰,不同施灰量的土壤及所产蔬菜的３８个样品的有害元素和放射性元素含量进行了系统的测定。结果表明：这些元素在土壤中的含量与粉煤灰施用量无明显相关性;在本次试验范围内施用粉煤灰没有造成土壤的污染,其所产蔬菜的这些元素含量也均低于国家卫生标准限值,食用是安全的。     

矿渣−粉煤灰地聚合物固化砂土力学特性研究

硅酸盐水泥作为常规的土壤固化剂存在高能耗、高排放等问题,研究人员一直在寻求一种更加经济环保的水泥代替品。使用基于高炉矿渣（ground granulated blast-furnace slag,简称 GGBS）、粉煤灰（ fly ash,简称 FA）的地聚合物对砂土进行加固,通过调整激发剂的种类和配比、矿渣与粉煤灰比例、水灰比和养护条件等,研究不同因素对地聚合物固化砂土力学性能的影响。通过无侧限抗压强度（unconfined compressive strength,简称 UCS）测试、电子计算机断层扫描（ computed tomography,简称 CT ）分析、扫描电子显微镜（scanning electron microscope,简称 SEM）对试样进行了深入研究。结果表明：基于 GGBS-FA 的地聚合物可有效地提高砂土的力学性能;复合激发剂的加固效果优于单组分激发剂;低温不会明显降低地聚合物固化砂土的最终力学性能,仅延缓了地质聚合反应和结构的形成;碱性环境对地聚合物固化砂土的强度有促进作用;酸性环境及长时间暴露在空气中,会降低地聚合物固化砂土的强度。     

Chemical element concentrations in black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) and green ash (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus pennsylvanica</Emphasis> Marsh.) leaves at the reclaimed Green Valley coal Mine,Indiana, USA

The Green Valley Mine in Indiana was abandoned in 1963 after 15 years of coal mining. Reclamation began in 1994 and ended in 1999 with the dense planting of twelve different tree species. By 2006, only green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) had survived in any significant numbers. Given the acid mine drainage found at the site, we sought to determine whether element toxicity originating from mine waste was responsible for the extirpation of the trees. Leaf samples taken from 125 mine trees and 29 control trees were acquired and assayed for 41 element concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Except for sodium, there was no compelling evidence to indicate that toxic elemental levels were responsible for the widespread tree deaths. In addition to sodium toxicity, we suspect that micronutrient deficiency was a primary factor explaining the extirpation of trees at the mine.     

Spatial distribution characteristics of soil moisture in different types of sand dune in the Mu Us Sandy Land,adjacent to north of Chinese Loess Plateau

The distribution of soil moisture in arid and semiarid regions is a major environmental factor and is regulated by regional topography, vegetation and soil texture. Here, we present the results of a study of the spatial distribution characteristics of soil moisture in the Mu Us Sandy Land, which is the transitional area between the northwestern deserts and the Chinese Loess Plateau, in North China. Samples were taken from holes drilled to a depth of 4 m in 52 different microtopographic positions on different types of dune (bare dunes, shrub-covered dunes and tree-covered dunes). The sites were located in the northwestern margin, the central region and the southeastern margin. All samples were analyzed for moisture content and grain size distribution. The results show that: (1) for the same type of dune, the soil moisture content varies in different microtopographic positions. The soil moisture content on windward slopes is greater than on leeward slopes in the shrub-covered dunes and the tree-covered dunes, while this is the case in only some of the bare migratory sand dunes. In addition, the soil moisture content on leeward slopes is greater than on the corresponding windward slope. (2) The vegetation type and density have a large influence on the moisture content of sandy soils; specifically, the presence of shrubs and trees significantly affects the soil moisture content of windward and leeward slopes and the inter-dune lowland. (3) Soil moisture content is positively correlated with the clay and silt content of sandy soils. From northwest to southeast across the Mu Us Sandy Land, the silt and clay content increases gradually; however, in the case of dunes covered with planted trees, a peak in the content of fine-grained material occurs in the central region, while for shrub-covered sand dunes, the peak occurs in the southeastern margin. In addition, the correlation between soil moisture and soil grain size distribution of the three types of dunes varies from northwest to southeast. (4) The proportion of fine-grained material and the correlation between the content of fine-grained material and soil moisture are the two main factors influencing the soil moisture distribution of the different types of dune. A soil moisture concentration index can be used as a rough indicator of the distribution characteristics of soil moisture.     

南沙珊瑚砂的动剪切模量和阻尼比特性试验研究

珊瑚砂的物理力学性质与陆相沉积物有显著的差异。对南沙岛礁饱和珊瑚砂进行了不排水应变控制分级循环加载动三轴试验,研究了有效围压 和相对密实度Dr对饱和珊瑚砂动剪切模量和阻尼比特性的影响。通过与陆源砂砾土试验结果的对比发现：珊瑚砂与陆源砂砾土在最大动剪切模量Gmax、动剪切模量比G/Gmax曲线及其上下界、参考剪应变 、阻尼比? 曲线及其上下界等均存在显著的差异;珊瑚砂的Gmax比陆源砂的大,采用陆源砂Gmax的经验模型,珊瑚砂的Gmax将被低估约30%;珊瑚砂的非线性稍弱于陆源砂砾土,陆源砂砾土G/Gmax和? 的经验公式不适用于珊瑚砂。给出了珊瑚砂G/Gmax和? 的经验公式及相关参数。     

Use of Sewage Sludge Ash and Hydrated Lime to Improve the Engineering Properties of Clayey Soils

Using various additives has been considered as one of the most common stabilization methods for improvement of engineering properties of fine-grained soils. In this research the effect of sewage sludge ash (SSA) and hydrated lime (HL) on compressive strength of clayey soil was investigated. For this purpose, 16 kinds of mixtures or treatments were made by adding different amounts of SSA; 0, 5, 10 and 15% by weight and HL; 0, 1, 3 and 5% by weight of a clayey soil. First, compaction characteristics of the treatments were determined using Harvard compaction test apparatus. So that, 12 unconfined compressive strength test specimens were made using Harvard compaction mold from each treatments taking into account four different curing ages, including 7, 14, 28 and 90 days in three replications. Therefore, a total of 192 specimens were prepared and subjected to unconfined compressive strength tests. The results of this study showed that the maximum dry density of the treated soil samples decreases and their optimum water content increases by increasing the amount of SSA and hydrated lime in the mixtures. It is also found that the adding of HL and SSA individually would increase the compressive strength up to 3.8 and 1.5 times respectively. The application of HL and SSA with together could increases the compressive strength of a clayey soil more efficiently even up to 5 times.     

Ecotoxicological assessment of heavy metals in sewage sludge amended soils

Contamination of soils by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (e.g. Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd) from amendments of sewage sludge is subject to strict controls within the European Community in relation to total permissible metal concentrations, soil properties and intended use. This paper highlights the need for ecotoxicological data for the assessment of PTE impacts in addition to geochemical data alone. The soil microflora plays an essential role in determining levels of soil fertility, being intimately associated with the biogeochemical cycling of essential plant nutrients and the turnover of organic carbon. The measurement of soil microbiological parameters can provide insight into the impact of PTEs upon soil fertility, where geochemical analysis alone can often be inadequate to assess contaminant effects on essential components of the soil ecosystem. Microbial investigations were conducted on soils sampled from a well-controlled field experiment previously amended with specific types and rates of sewage sludge. Key microbiological parameters measured included the activity of the dehydrogenase enzyme and the presence and number of effective nitrogen fixing cells of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii capable of nodulating the host plant, white clover (Trifolium repens). Results were evaluated with respect to maximum permissible concentrations of PTEs in sludge amended soils, as stipulated under UK limit values and the European Directive 86/278/EEC. Important effects on the size of the Rhizobium population and dehydrogenase activity were apparent in soils samples in relation to the soil pH, sludge type, addition rates and the concentrations of PTE present.     

Contribution of a sewage sludge application to the short-term carbon sequestration across a wide range of agricultural soils

The atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) have increased dramatically since the industrial revolution. The atmospheric enrichment with CO₂ and other GHGs has resulted in multiple negative consequences: such as the increase in the average temperature and the rise of the sea level. Hence, there is a growing interest in developing feasible methods to reduce the atmospheric levels of these gases. One of these strategies is to enhance C sequestration through the increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) pool by the amendment of agricultural soils with sewage sludge. However, there is considerable uncertainty about the effects (positive or negative) of sewage sludge applications on the SOC pool. Thus, a simple approach developed under laboratory conditions is presented to discern the effect of a single sewage sludge application of 50 t ha⁻¹ on the short-term SOC pool in 60 contrasting agricultural soils. The role of soil factors in the C sequestration of the recently added carbon was also studied. The application of sewage sludge supposed a mean increase of 1.7 ± 1.6 g SOC kg⁻¹, with peak increases of up to 3.8 g SOC kg⁻¹ and decreases of up to 4.6 g SOC kg⁻¹. The initial SOC contents conditioned the C sequestration after sewage sludge application, and no other soil property was related.     

Characteristics of heavy metal accumulation on fly ash- and sewage sludge-amended calcific soil

Land disposal of fly ash(FA)and sewage sludge(SS)is a major problem due largely to their potentially harmful constituents.In this paper,a potting experiment was performed to evaluate the effects on the plant growth and to discuss in particular the potential hazard to soils and plants according to the characteristics of heavy metal accumulation and migration when FA and SS are used as the amendments of calcific soil in a limestone mining area. The results showed that the application of FA-SS mixture is capable of accelerating the growth of plants and improving the biomass production at either 1:1 or 1:2 FA-SS mixture:soil(w/w).The highest yields were obtained at 1:1(w/w)mixing ratio.When compared with the Element Background Values of Soils in China,the analysis on heavy metals indicated that the contents of Pb,Cr,Hg,Cd,As,Ni,Cu and Zn in the amended soils came up to the second-class environmental quality standards,only Hg and Cd showed significant accumulation.At the same time, though the metal concentrations in roots were higher than those for the control,the concentrations except Cu,Zn in shoots were lower.And all the heavy metal contents in the plants were substantially lower than the toxicity limits. The results indicated that the combined use of FA and SS at a rational rate of application should pose no danger to both soil and food chain based on the characteristics of the FS and SS,heavy metals and calcific soil.     

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination and implication of multiple sources from Hunchun basin, northeastern China

Present concentrations and distributions of heavy metals through profiles, surface soil, and stream sediment samples in the Hunchun area, north-eastern China, were investigated to determine the elemental background values. This study also aims to characterize potentially toxic materials such as pulverized fly ash (PFA) from power stations or ash and slag from coal used domestically in urban areas, agrochemicals applied inappropriately, and urban sewage sludges from Hunchun City, as well as to ascertain the possibility of natural enrichment through site characterization by mineralogical and geochemical investigation. The distribution of contaminants in the alluvial soils (fluvisol) of this area has been influenced by several interacting factors. The parent alluvial materials from weathered products of amphiboles have made coatings such as ferrihydrite, goethite, and hematite. This natural inheritance factor is supported by the fact that the concentrations of weak acid-extractable (plant-available) heavy metals are very low, except for Fe and Mn. However, in agricultural soils and adjacent stream sediments, an anthropogenic input of Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr by agrochemicals is strongly suggested. Also, F contamination by coal combustion and the dissolution of F-bearing minerals could cause some future problems. Wide distribution and significantly high concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mn, and F in soils throughout the combination of pollutants originating from lithogenic and the anthropogenic sources pose potential problems in utilizing water resources. Received: 14 June 1999 · Accepted: 27 December 1999     

Impact of treated sewage sludge application on phosphorus release kinetics in some calcareous soils

Treated sewage sludge contains significant amount of phosphorus and is widely used in agriculture. Kinetics of P release in soils is a subject of importance in soil and environmental sciences. There are few studies about P release kinetics in treated sewage sludge amended soils. For this purpose, sludge was mixed with ten soils at a rate equivalent to 100 Mg sludge ha⁻¹, and P desorption was determined by successive extraction using 0.01 M CaCl₂ over a period of 65 days at 25 ± 1°C. Phosphorus release rate was rapid at first (until about first 360 h) and then became slower until equilibrium was approached. Average of P released within 360 h for the unamended and amended soils was about 65 and 73% of the total desorbed P, respectively. Zero-order, first-order, second-order, power function, simplified Elovich and parabolic diffusion law kinetics models were used to describe P release. First-order, Elovich, power function and parabolic diffusion models could well describe P release in the unamended and amended soils. Correlation coefficients between P release rate parameters and selected soil properties showed that in the control soils, calcium carbonate equivalent and Olsen-extractable P; and in the amended soils, calcium carbonate equivalent, cation exchange capacity, organic matter and Olsen-extractable P were significantly correlated with P release parameters. The results of this study showed that application of sewage sludge can change P release characteristics of soils and increase P in runoff.     

Impact of sewage sludge application on zinc desorption kinetics in some calcareous soils

Sewage sludge usually contains significant amount of Zinc (Zn) and is widely used in agricultural lands. A laboratory experiment was performed to determine Zn desorption characteristics in unamended and amended soils with sewage sludge. Ten calcareous soils were amended with 1 % (w/w) sewage sludge. Amended and unamended soils were incubated at field capacity at 25 ± 1 °C for 1 month. After incubation, the kinetics of Zn desorption in amended and unamended soils were determined by successive extraction with DTPA-TEA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-triethanolamine) in a period of 1–504 h at 25 ± 1 °C. The results of kinetics study showed that extracted Zn and desorption rate constants in the amended soils were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than in the unamended soils. The results showed that Zn desorption increased from 201 to 343 % in amended soil with respect to unamended soils. The amounts of desorbed Zn in the unamended soils ranged from 3.73 to 8.79 mg kg^?1, while the amounts of desorbed Zn in amended soils ranged from 11.47 to 17.66 mg kg^?1. Desorption kinetics of Zn in two soils conformed fairly well to first-order, parabolic diffusion and power function equations. The results of stepwise regression analysis indicated that calcium carbonate equivalent and clay could be used to estimate Zn desorption characteristics in DTPA-TEA solution in the amended and unamended calcareous soils. It can be concluded that sewage sludge applied to calcareous soils may enhance the source of Zn for the plants.     

Relationship of chemical fractions of heavy metals with microbial and enzyme activities in sludge and ash-amended acid lateritic soil from India

The influence of metals, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, on the microbial biomass and enzyme activities of an amended acid lateritic soil were investigated under field conditions receiving a one-time application of 52 t ha^–1 of sludge, coal ash and their mixtures at 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 proportions, and including control and chemical fertilizer treatment at crop-specific recommended doses. Paddies and peanuts were grown in the experimental plots and soil was sampled twice after 6 months and 1 year after amendment application. The heavy metals in the soil were fractionated using sequential extraction and the increments in their concentrations in amended soil with respect to the control were determined. Concentrations of Cd, Ni and Zn were determined to have increased in their mobile fractions and were more pronounced in soil collected during the second sampling, which was associated with a decrease in soil organic carbon. The size of the microbial biomass carbon and the soil enzyme activities increased with the addition of an amendment and was highest at equal proportions of coal ash and sludge. Further increase in the proportion of sludge resulted in a significant decrease in biomass carbon. Simple correlation revealed significant and strong negative relations of mobile fractions of Cd and Ni with the ratio between microbial biomass C and organic carbon in soil, while the organic carbon content and the pH were positively correlated. The microbial activities were determined to be sensitive to the concentrations of some heavy metals in mobile fractions and therefore indicated possibilities of being useful as indicators for evaluation of toxic effects of sludge-borne metals on soil organisms.     

树木年轮与其根部土壤化学元素含量的相关性

运用树木年轮学方法研究了北京南郊土壤环境中元素含量随时间序列演变的规律。依据吸收系数研究了相同土壤类型上生长的不同树种对12种化学元素的吸收状况,结果表明不同树种对元素的吸收情况不同。Zn、Cd和P3个元素吸收系数较高。对杨树年轮及其根部土壤中9种化学元素(Na、K、Cu、Zn、As、Sr、Cd、Ba、Pb)的相关性研究结果表明,年轮中元素的含量与其根土中对应元素的含量呈正相关。采用对数线性相关模式(lgC'=algC+b),根据逐年年轮中Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Ba、Pb6种化学元素的含量,反演6种元素在土壤中的逐年(1982—2004年)演变状况。本技术方法能为追溯近代城市化几十年以来的环境污染变迁历史、预测未来污染演变趋势提供更为丰富和科学的信息。     

陕西省渭河扩建电厂粉煤灰处理场土壤对Cr（Ⅵ）的吸附作用

粉煤灰处理区的环境地质调查表明:由于受地面排放的粉煤灰的影响,地下水中Cr（Ⅵ）浓度高出背景值4⁵倍.野外现场试验对Cr（Ⅵ）监测结果显示:在2m厚的灰体底部,下渗水中的Cr（Ⅵ）浓度已高达0.701ppm,超标14倍.很明显,Cr（Ⅵ）是粉煤灰中的主要污染质之一.老灰场的环境地质调查还发现:土壤对Cr（Ⅵ）的迁移有很大的阻滞作用.作者对此进行一系列野外及室内试验来研究粉煤灰中Cr（Ⅵ）的解吸,迁移及其与土壤之间的相互作用和有关的化学机理,并且评价了渭河扩建电厂新灰场区土壤包气带对粉煤灰中Cr（Ⅵ）的净化能力.