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W170: Chemistry and Bioavailability of Waste Constituents in Soils

Annual/Termination Reports (SAES-422): [04/08/2002] [05/19/2003] [04/20/2004]

Date of Annual Report: 04/08/2002

Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 01/06/02 to 01/07/02
  • Period the Report Covers: 01/2001 to 12/2001

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Committee chair, Nick Basta, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Hue welcomed us to Hawai‘i, and gave us instructions about the logistics of the meeting.

    General Business
    Lee Sommers presented a report from the Directors. He stressed that the trend for regional projects is for a web-based reporting system, as implemented by the Northeast. To help reduce paperwork, all reports and proposals eventually will be placed on their respective websites. Drafts will be placed there and available for editing online. Reporting will become form-driven and submitted electronically as the 422 Report. Once the report is submitted, an email will be sent to the regional committee listserver to allow the membership to review the report.
    The committee meeting minutes must be condensed for submission, or a link submitted to the website connecting the user to the long version of the minutes.
    USDA funding is flat for 2002. NRI funding is the same, and IFAS was not funded. It is possible that IFAS will be refunded in the upcoming Farm Bill
    Bob Heil retired this past year, and Mike Harrington has replaced him in Fort Collins.
    Nick Basta discussed the web presence of W170. Our current website (in the University of Washington server) appears to be completely inactive. We can and should utilize the web server available at the Western Regional site, but the Western Regional personnel will be unable to provide support. Our website needs enhancement because in its current state, it only contains the proposal and the latest reports.
    The website should have all of our reasonable information to provide the public some understanding. We will not be able to reproduce all reports and publications, but summaries with links would be very appropriate. Lee Sommers indicated that guidelines have been issued for the development of electronic publications and should be used to tailor our approach to putting information on the website.
    The big problem with our website is that it has been orphaned. Nick made an appeal to the committee to have someone volunteer to take over the site, develop it, and solicit materials from members to post. Schwab volunteered to take a look at it and would handle the responsibilities pending approval from his department head. Ajwa suggested we refer to the California Strawberry Commission as an excellent example of such an approach.
    Gary Pierzynski presented an announcement for George O‘Connor. Dr. O‘Connor and Bob Bastian are organizing a conference in Florida on the "Application of Nonhazardous Wastes to Soils." It will be a 3-day conference in January, 2003 and could coincide with our regional meeting. We could meet before or after the conference. The consensus of the group was to meet in Florida (assuming that O‘Connor can pull it off) with Las Vegas as a possible backup.
    Lee Wolf reminded the group that the executive committee, as outlined in the proposal, has five members: two co-chairs, a secretary, and two other members. The secretary and the two other members must be re-elected annually. Schwab was re-affirmed by the membership. Greg Evanylo and Hussein Ajwa were nominated and voted in.

    Station Reports
    Holding with the tradition of W-170, attendees presented oral station reports. The reports were given a 20-minute time limit, and all reports generated extended discussion.

    Experiment Station Tour
    N.V. Hue, our gracious host, arranged a tour of one of Hawai‘i‘s experiment stations. After a scenic drive, we were treated to a unique walk to view the ongoing experiments. We were educated on the culturing of tropical fruits, nuts, and other crops.

    Accomplishments:
    Objective 1: Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils.
    Task 1. Evaluation of Nutrient Contents in Residuals and Residual-Amended Soils.
    Studies were conducted to evaluate chemical components in drinking water treatment residuals (WTR) that reduce excessive soluble P in soil and reduce runoff P. Addition of WTR (50 Mg/ha) to box plots treated with poultry litter (16.7 Mg/ha) reduced runoff P by from 14.0 to 84.9 percent. Reductions in runoff P were correlated with amorphous Al (OK-AES). Bench studies where WTR treated was treated with P suggested solid octacalcium phosphate formation as the P adsorbing mechanism (CO-AES). A long term field experiment where alum WTR was added to soil with high soil test P showed soil test P decreased with time but these decrease may be due to leaching of P not WTR (MI-AES).
    Nitrogen mineralization rates and subsequent N available to vegetables, roadside flowers, and turfgrass from a variety of stabilized composts were highly variable indicating the need for further testing to develop better estimates of compost N mineralization factors (VA-AES). About 50 animal manures (chicken, pig, and cattle) were analyzed for plant nutrient and trace element contents (HI-AES).
    The effect of residuals on soil properties and/or soil quality was studied. The effectiveness of lime, yardwaste compost and other soil amendments on the revegetation potential of acid-S roadcuts was evaluated. With appropriate lime and compost additions, these sites have maintained greater than 90% vegetative cover for four growing seasons (VA-AES). Various combinations of flyash and cattle manure amendments to a Tivoli find sand significantly increased water retention at all three water potentials, and the treatment effect (mixture) was consistent across all three water potentials. The differences in water retention appear to be directly related to the amount of Tivoli sand in each mixture (KS-AES).
    Planned research will focus on properties affecting nutrient content of biosolids and components that affect WTR performance. Biosolids processing will be studied to determine effects of centrifuging, lagooning, air-drying, and stockpiling on total and available nutrient content.

    Task 2. Determination of Residual Trace Element Chemistries and Soil Quality Impacts.
    A variety of trace element chemistries in a range of residuals was studied. Layered double hydroxides were investigated for their abilities to retain organic (pesticides) and inorganic (As, Se) pollutants (WY-AES). Work on reducing soil As (which is rather high in Hawaii due to past use of As-based pesticides) was continued with sunflower and local braken fern besides seashore paspalum grass. Competition between soil As and added phosphate or sulfate was also evaluated (HI-AES). FL-AES completed a modified risk assessment of biosolids-Mo in support of new numerical standards for Mo, in Part 503.


    Objective 2: Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies.
    Task 1. Evaluation of Nutrient and Trace Element Bioavailabilities in Residual-Amended Field and Greenhouse Studies.
    Lime stabilized biosolids appeared to alleviate B deficiency in alfalfa but increased Mo uptake in all 3 years of study (uptake coefficients: ~ 2 to 10). At the highest biosolids application rate, alfalfa Cu/Mo ratio decreased to 2.0 in the first cutting of year 3 (PA-AES). The changes in uptake of Mo, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn by corn were examined for up to 15 years following cessation of biosolids applications. Bioavailability was unchanged (Mo) or significantly decreased (Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn) over the 15 year residual period (MWRDGC). The effectiveness of biosolids, phosphates, and limestone to reduce bioavailability (plant, gastrointestinal earthworms) in heavy metal contaminated soils was evaluated. Alkaline biosolids was the most effective treatment in reducing phytotoxicity and ecotoxicity measured using earthworm bioassay (OK-AES). The concentration of cadmium in leaf lettuce increased with increasing inputs of Cd from phosphorus and trace element fertilizers. The recovery of Cd in leaf lettuce, however, was less than 3% of the total Cd added (WA-AES).
    Field-grown pineapple has been used as a test plant to study the N and P uptake from composted cow manure, and Ca and trace element uptake from basaltic rock dust (HI-AES). The variability in estimated plant available N from compost and manure did not significantly impact nitrate-N concentration in leachate as long as application rates were near agronomic N rates (VA-AES). Greenhouse studies of P-source (biosolids, manures, fertilizer) P bioavailability to a pasture grass (bahiagrass) was completed on two soils (FL-AES). Trace elements were shown to Inhibit B-Glucosaminidase, a key enzyme in N mineralization in soil, from 0 to 73% (IA-AES). Field studies in Michigan showed B-Glucosaminidase and Arylamidase enzyme show promise for predicting N mineralization in soil (MI-AES).

    Task 2. Laboratory Studies and Soil Testing Approaches Involving the Evaluation of Residual Constituent Bioavailabilities.
    Net N mineralized from yard trimmings in soil was correlated (R2 = 0.69 to 0.79) with total N, C:N, lignin, carbohydrate + hemicellulose concentrations in yard trimmings and 14 d CO2 evolution in soil (OR-AES). Several P rates from 0 to 1,000 mg P kg-1 from composted chicken manure, composted swine manure, and treble super phosphate were applied to 3 soils. Extraction with CaCl2, Mehlich 3, and modified Truog solutions were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after application to evaluate the change in soil-test P levels as a function of P applied (HI-AES).
    The mean percent water extractable P (= [H2O-P8PT]4100) was significantly lower for 42 biosolids than for 13 livestock manures, primarily due to higher Al and Fe in biosolids (PA-AES).
    Various combinations of flyash and cattle manure amendments to a Tivoli find sand were made in an attempt to increase available water holding capacity and to determined the effect on salinity. Increasing the proportion of flyash further produced smaller increases in salinity, but the magnitude of the increase was much less than when comparing 0% flyash to 5% flyash. The data indicate that salt tolerant species may be necessary with as little as 5% flyash in the mixture and increasing the proportion of flyash beyond 5% does not produce proportionately larger increases in salinity hazard (KS-AES).

    Objective 3. Predict the long-term bioavailability of nutrients, trace elements, and organic constituents in residual-amended soils.
    Task 1. Prediction of Nutrient Bioavailability in Long-Term Residual-Amended Soils.
    After 7 years of continuous biosolids application, biosolids were 74 % as effective as fertilizer N in supplying available N for tall fescue production (OR-AES). CO-AES established a research site in 1977 in the Buffalo-Creek wildfire burn area in Jefferson County, CO where Denver Metro composted biosolids followed by seeding with an US Forest Service approved mixture was applied. Significant linear effect of biosolids on biomass production and plant canopy cover; however, production levels were smaller due to another unusually dry growing season.

    Task 2. Evaluation of Time on Trace Element Chemistry / Organic Chemicals in Residual-amended Soils.
    Long-term application sites were studied to determine biosolids effects on soils and crops. Biosolids increased soil As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb, and Zn at one or more depth intervals, but not Ni or Se. Biosolids had no effect on plant tissue concentrations of any macro- or microelements (PA-AES). A Virginia Piedmont soil that received up to 210 Mg/ha biosolids in 1984 had Cu (260 mg/kg), Ni (28 mg/kg), Zn (260 mg/kg), and P (2500 mg/kg), but there was no evidence of transport beyond the tillage zone. Liming the soil to a pH of 6 ameliorated the phytotoxicity and limited Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn uptake by corn, radish and lettuce to below critical safe concentrations (VA-AES). FL-AES completed risk assessment of biosolids-Mo, including assessment of long-term fate of biosolids-Mo in high pH soil where Mo risk can be problematic. Based upon long-term application of biosolids to rangeland in Sierra Blanca, Texas, elemental ratios for Pb, Cr and Hg indicated these elements in the biosolids were insoluble and immobile and have not migrated. Elemental ratios, however, suggest that Zn and Cu have either leached into the soil or been transported away in runoff (TT).


    Task 3. Computer Simulations and Models of Residual Bioavailability
    Uncomposted yard trimmings, laboratory incubation study: The model "Decomposition" (J. Gilmour) successfully predicted N availability from uncomposted yard trimmings (OR-AES). Future work will include predicting nitrogen availability from fresh and composted organic byproducts used in small-scale agriculture (field study vs. laboratory incubation vs. computer model).

    Impact Statements:
    1. Objective 1:Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils. Objective 2:Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies. Objective 3: Predict the long-term bioavailability of nutrients, trace elements, and organic constituents in residual-amended soils.
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 05/19/2003

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 01/19/03 to 01/21/03
  • Period the Report Covers: 01/2002 to 12/2002

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Annual Meeting of W170 Multi-State Project - January 19-21, 2003 - Las Vegas, Nevada

    Sunday, January 19:
    Nick Basta called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

    Project Renewal: The first order of business was a discussion of the upcoming, 5-year project renewal. Nick was seeking input from the group regarding the possibility of new objectives and tasks. Lee Sommers extended his assurances that the 3rd year annual review of W170 was very positive. He strongly suggested that we continue to pursue multi-state emphasis because it is still required that 25% of formula funds must be multistate projects. Input from George O‘Connor and Bob Brobst indicated the need for including organics and biological aspects in the renewal. Al Page suggested we take the project to the level of including "ecosystem health." Sally Brown added that we should balance the subject matter and objectives to reflect the expertise of the current membership. We shouldn‘t ignore important new trends, but we cannot totally redefine ourselves simply because of upcoming, hot areas of research. Brown and Basta stated that they felt the need to include toxicity issues. Also, there was discussion concerning the title of the project and which wastes/byproducts we will be pursuing. Lee Sommers and Rich Stehouwer voiced the opinion that extension/outreach language should be included in each objective. This was held in general agreement along with the notion of eliminating the tasks under each objective. Andrew Chang requested that we also include some language concerning modeling. Lee Sommers stated that the revision must be completed by January 15, 2003.

    Meeting Format: We discussed the possibility of changing the format of the meeting to make it more focused perhaps with a theme. The discussion covered various possibilities, but we agreed to try the notion of focusing on one topic for about 2 hours in which several members will contribute information, and it will be summarized in a 1-hour presentation with follow-up discussion. State reports and other, typical W170 would be included. We‘ll try this approach in 2005. Ray Knighton stated that individual reports are not particularly meaningful from USDA‘s perspective, but they are more interested in hearing about multistate interactions and how the intended clientele are being represented.

    Next Year‘s Meeting(2004): George O‘Connor is organizing the Sustainable Land Application Conference, January 4-8 in Orlando, Florida. The conference runs from Monday and runs through noon on Thursday. Registration is $395, and the deadline for submitting an abstract is February 3, 2003. It was suggested that W170 members should attend and could participate by submitting posters. Lee Sommers said that he‘d be willing to consider the conference as an official function if we met for about 2 hours and conducted a business meeting. A written report would still be required.

    Officers and Representatives: Chuck Henry announced his withdrawal from the committee. Sally Brown has been filling in as co-chair on a temporary basis until the committee could vote on a change. Al Page moved to accept Henry‘s resignation. The motion was seconded by Schwab, and the motion was approved by proclamation. George O‘Connor moved to have Sally Brown as the new co-chair for the coming year. Seconded by Lee Jacobs. Approved by voice vote. George O‘Connor moved that, for 2003, Dan Sullivan would serve on the executive committee as the Western representative, Greg Evanylo as executive committee at-large representative, and Paul Schwab as secretary. Seconded by Sally Brown, approved by proclamation.

    Administrative Adviser Update (Lee Sommers): The directors are going completely to a web-based system for reporting and disseminating information, called the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS). It‘s a database with all project information, including annual reports. During the project renewal process, each member of W170 can log in and create a password. It will be possible to work on the proposal on-line. Important considerations include impact, accountability, and upcoming biosecurity proposals -- ESCOP and Western Region. Lee reviewed the amount of support to W170 by each state. Formula funds can be spent only for approved federal projects entered in the CRIS system.

    USDA/CSREES Update: Ray Knighton gave us an update from the USDA perspective. The federal budgets are still under continued resolution and awaiting appropriation. The House of Representatives is proposing basically flat funding with a $10 million increase fir NRI. The Senate version has a $120 million overall increase with $40 million increase for NRI. Will require a conference to obtain an agreement. Upcoming areas of emphasis include air quality and global climate change with more rules and regulations on the way. There will be a need to know emissions from various practices, fate and transport, and better dispersion models for air pollutants. The "Clear Skies" initiative will result in the Department of Congress with $50 million to spend on decision support tools for climate change. The National Climate Change Technology Initiative (DoE) has the goal of reducing NOx emissions from agriculture by 30%. Pathogens and pharmaceuticals will also begin to get more attention.

    Bob Brobst (U.S EPA: Bob discussed recent activities relating to CAFOs and the National Academy of Sciences Biosolid Report.

    STATION REPORTS

    Phosphorus Issues - Chip Elliot, Dan Sullivan, Albert Cox, Lee Jacobs

    Ecological Effects - Paul Schwab, Ken Barbarick

    Conference Updates - George O‘Connor, Alex Iskandar (ICOBTE)

    Miscellaneous - Gary Pierzynski, Bob Brobst, John Sloan

    Metals - Rick Stehouwer, Lee Daniels, Nick Basta, Sally Brown, Tom Granato,
    Andrew Chang

    Tuesday, January 21 - Gary Pierzynski called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. He announced that we would likely meet twice in Orlando -- Sunday evening and once over lunch.

    Station Reports: Holding with the tradition of W-170, attendees presented oral station reports. The reports were given a 20-minute time limit, and all reports generated extended discussion. This year the station reports were organized by topic. This was an effective way to organize the talks so that related research was presented together and more effective discussion and comparison of findings could take place. The accomplishments for this years report will be presented in a similar fashion. The research emphasizes were threefold with additional work also taking place in other fields. The three primary foci of the work were P bioavailability in biosolids amended soils; evaluating and reducing metal bioavailability in contaminated soils, and ecosystem restoration using residuals.

    Accomplishments:
    Phosphorus in Biosolids - Objective 1: Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils.

    Task 1. Evaluation of Nutrient Contents in Residuals and Residual-Amended Soils.
    Work was done at UFL and at the MWRDGC. Biosolids samples were collected from two treatment plants in Chicago and analyzed for total P and form of P. Total P in the biosolids varied widely (18 to 30 g kg-1) and most of the P was in the inorganic form. The sum of the loosely bound, Fe+Al bound, and Ca bound P forms represented 73 to 87 percent of the total P in the biosolids and were in the order Fe+Al bound P > Ca bound P > loosely bound P. At the UFL,
    P form and solubility of 12 biosolids, 3 manures, and a commercial fertilizer, as well as in an acid sandy soil amended with each P-source were determined. Inorganic P forms dominated all P-sources and residuals-amended soils. Inorganic P was primarily in Fe- and Al-associated forms in most biosolids, and in all residuals-amended soils after 5 months reaction.(UFL)

    Objective 2: Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies.

    Task 1. Evaluation of Nutrient and Trace Element Bioavailabilities in Residual-Amended Field and Greenhouse Studies.

    Phosphorus bioavailability was also measured in the field at UO and MI State. At MI, alum water treatment residuals (WTR) were added to soils having high to very high soil test P levels at six field sites. At two sites (established in 1998), soil test P levels have declined with time at all sites, but alum WTR did not contribute to this decrease. At the other four sites (two established in 1999 and two in 2000), some decline in Bray P1 soil test levels was observed and alum WTR amendments significantly decreased soil test P levels compared to unamended control soils. It was pointed out in discussion that P binding capacity of WTR varied significantly and that this study did not take that variability into account.

    Soil tests were also used to evaluate P bioavailability in OR and CO. In OR the effect of biosolids application on labile P in soils in the Willamette Valley of Oregon at 20 field sites was evaluated. Biosolids application sites had 2 to 5 previous biosolids applications with cumulative P loading of approximately 200 to 1000 kg P ha-1. Soil was analyzed for P via an agronomic method (Bray P1) and via environmental methods. Biosolids application increased average soil test P (0-5 cm depth) from 46 to 75 mg kg-1 Bray P, from 35 to 53 mg kg-1 anion-exchange resin-P, from 583 to 950 mg kg-1 ammonium oxalate extractable P, from 1.8 to 2.3 mg kg-1 dilute salt (0.01 M CaCl2) extractable P. Agronomic soil test P (Bray) was strongly correlated with other indices of water soluble P. In CO, P extractability of biosolids + WTR amended soils was evaluated using a range of extracts. Deionized water appeared to be the most useful and consistent extract tested.

    Bioavailable P was defined at UFL as P concentration in above ground plant tissue Above ground plant uptake of P served as the measure of P bioavailability, and was linearly regressed against applied (total) P-rate. Relative P bioavailability was determined by statistically comparing regression slopes of the organic sources of P to the slope for fertilizer-P (TSP). Biosolids produced via biological P removal (BPR) processes tended to be as available as TSP, and represented members of the high bioavailability group of materials. The moderate availability group included most of the biosolids evaluated, and had an average relative bioavailability of 46%. The low bioavailability category included biosolids and manures with greater than normal total Fe + Al concentrations, or whose forms (pellets) or associated salinity and/or alkalinity confounded bioavailability interpretation. U FL

    Bioavailability to other endpoints was also measured. Penn State measured runoff P following rainfall simulations. A rainfall simulation study evaluated the relationship between the percent extractable P (PWEP = [WEP/PT]x100) and runoff P levels. Five P-sources [fresh dairy manure, anaerobically digested biosolids produced without Fe or Al addition, aerobically digested biosolids (elevated Al), anaerobically digested biosolids (elevated Fe), and composted biosolids (elevated Fe)] were surface applied at 100 lbs P/ac to runoff trays containing an acid-shale and a calcareous soil, each with high and low soil-test P background levels (four soils in all). For all soil treatments, the trend of runoff dissolved P (RDP in mg/L) consistently followed the pattern: dairy manure >> biosolids without Al or Fe > biosolids with Al >composted biosolids with high Fe ; biosolids cake with high Fe. Runoff DP for all soils was highly correlated (r2 > 0.98) with the PWEP of the P-source. Average runoff DP from high-Fe biosolids (both cake and compost) was not statistically different from unamended soil control treatments. Total runoff P (mg/L) was also significantly greater for dairy manure than for biosolids.

    UFL measured leached P in a greenhouse study. Leached P was dominantly inorganic, and was much less from soils amended with biosolids than with TSP. In a moderately P-sorbing soil, no biosolids lost >0.45% of the applied P. Manure-P was generally more leachable than biosolids-P. Biosolids-P leaching in a poorly P-sorbing soil was related to the P saturation index. Co-applying water treatment residuals (WTRs) with high soluble P sources can eliminate leaching in soils where drainage-P is a concern. Limiting biosolids applications to rates based on P crop needs appears unnecessary to minimize P leaching concerns except for BPR materials on the poorest of P-retaining soils.

    OTHER NUTRIENTS

    Nitrogen in soils under livestock waste lagoons was measured in KS. All lagoons showed evidence of N-enrichment to a depth of at least 1 m. Total- and ammonium-N concentrations were as high as 2100 and 1100 mg/kg, respectively. Nitrate concentrations were negligible in all soil samples. Nitrogen mineralization was measured in MI as part of a WERF funded study. Partial results from this study have been published in JEQ (Gilmour et al., 2003)

    Ecosystem Restoration

    Biosolids were used to restore land damaged by fire (CO), coal mining (VA,PA), Fe slag (MWDGC), and Pb, Zn mining (WA).

    Objective 1: Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils.

    In May 1997, composted biosolids were applied to a severely burned, previously forested site near Buffalo Creek, CO to improve soil fertility and help establish seven native, seeded grasses. Vegetation and soils data were collected for four years following treatment. Following treatment, total biomass of vegetation increased with increasing biosolids application and the percentage of bareground decreased. Higher rates of biosolids application were associated with increased concentrations of N, P, and Zn in tissue of the dominant plant species (Elymus lanceolatus [Scribn. & J.G. Sm] Gould ssp. lanceolatus) relative to controls. The highest biosolids application rate resulted in elevated C and N content of soils after four years. The application of biosolids to this site has improved soil fertility and plant production, and resulted in enhanced post-fire ecosystem recovery.

    Objective 2: Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies.

    a. Nutrients
    Leaching of nitrate from higher than agronomic N rates of biosolids used to reclaim disturbed land was temporal and reduced to background concentrations within one growing season (VPI) . Application of lime-stabilized biosolids at 40 to 200 Mg/ha to acid-sulfate soils (150 ha) was successful at stabilizing soil pH, allowing revegetation, and correcting local surface water pH and metal contamination. However, significant N losses to local surface water were also observed. During mid-summer unvegetated conditions, ammonium losses were high, but a flush of nitrate-N was also observed in the fall of 2002 once the soils stabilized and could support nitrification. Ortho-P levels in local receiving surface waters have been low (< 0.3 mg/L). In PENN, reclamation of coalmine lands with biosolids resulted in spikes of NO3- in surface water (up to 65 mg N L-1) and leachate water (up to 300 mg-N/L) during the first year following application. No changes in groundwater quality have been observed to date.

    b. Contaminants.

    Purdue has been conducting a study to evaluate the residual toxicity of biosolids on biosolids amended soils. This has involved evaluation of soil function including earthworm survivability, CO2 respiration, and nematode and seedling survival. There has been no toxicity to the endpoints identified associated with biosolids application.

    Biosolids mixed with lime or high calcium carbonate residuals was able to restore a plant cover to metal mine wastes from Jasper County, MO, Leadville, CO and Bunker Hill, ID in both greenhouse and field studies (U WA). Plant tissue concentrations suggest little possibility for ecosystem transfer of contaminants. MWRDGC also observed low metal uptake in foliage grown on biosolids remediated slag soils. Addition of a high Fe compost reduced Pb availability as measured by both in vivo and in vitro studies, to a Pb contaminated urban soil. Compost and wood ash addition to the surface of a mine tailings repository that was also a natural wetland reduced Pb bioavailability and resulted in a change in mineral form of Pb in the underlying tailings.

    The capacity of an in vitro gastrointestinal (IVG) method to predict relative bioavailable Cd from soil ingestion was evaluated. Bioaccessible Cd, determined by the IVG method, was compared with relative bioavailable Cd measured from dosing trials using juvenile swine for 10 soils contaminated with Cd from 23.8 to 465 mg kg-1. Linear relationships between Cd dissolved in the IVG gastric extraction step and in vivo relative bioavailable Cd (r=0.86) were found. Inexpensive in vitro methods may be useful in estimating the relative bioavailability of Cd in soils from contaminated sites.(OK)

    Objective 3. Predict the long-term bioavailability of nutrients, trace elements, and organic constituents in residual-amended soils.

    Task 3. Computer Simulations and Models of Residual Bioavailability

    A model was developed to predict the phytoavailability of metals in biosolids treated solid that considers the role of organic acids in the rhizosphere (UC Riverside)
    The following model:
    Mt = C x [1  e- (k x t)]
    where Mt (mg kg-1) is the cumulative metal removal from the biosolids-treated soils by growing and harvesting plants for t years, C is the total phytoavailable metal pool (mg kg-1), and k is the metal release coefficient (yr-1) of the soils appears to describe metal uptake. If the C and k of a soil are defined, the phytoavailability of the metals in the biosolids receiving soils may be evaluated. This has been developed based on greenhouse data and long-term field data is currently being collected to validate the model.

    Impact Statements:
    1. Objective 1: Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils. Total and available P in biosolids can vary widely based on the treatment plant and the chemical additions to the biosolids. Within a single treatment plant, total P can also vary widely. In general, biosolids that do not contain biologically removed P, have significantly lower P availability than manures or P fertilizers with similar total P.
    2. Objective 2: Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies. Lab and field evaluations of numerous biosolids, manures, and fertilizer confirm that not all P-sources containing comparable P total concentrations have equal P bioavailability for plants or environmental endpoints including leaching and transport over soil surfaces. Conventional agronomic tests for P availability are not as appropriate for environmental P concerns.
    3. Objective 2: Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies. Research shows that biosolids can be used to reduce metal availability in highly contaminated sites substantiating previous work that the metals in biosolids do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. A wide range of restoration projects using biosolids demonstrates the utility of these materials for soil building and ecosystem development.
    4. Objective 3. Predict the long-term bioavailability of nutrients, trace elements, and organic constituents in residual-amended soils. Work on the toxicity of biosolids to earthworms and other ecological endpoints demonstrated that there were no negative effects associated with biosolids addition to soils. Models to describe metal uptake that incorporate the role of rhizosphere organic acids will potentially provide information on the long-term metal extractability from biosolids amended soils.
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 04/20/2004

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 01/04/04 to 01/08/04
  • Period the Report Covers: 01/2003 to 12/2003

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    The annual meeting was held at Lake Buena Vista, Florida, with Nick Basta and Sally Brown calling the meeting to order.

    Project Renewal for 2004  2009 - Sally Brown provided a handout of the objectives that had been discussed previously. Lee Sommers and Nick discussed the timeline for the renewal with May 15 the deadline for completion of the reviewable draft. Submit to Sommers with a list of peer reviewers. The proposal will be reviewed by RCIC in late June and any corrections completed in early August. A new project would start date October 1, 2004

    Merging with Northeast Regional Research Project on Land Application of Sewage Biosolids. Options include complete merging with the NE project or NE individuals joining with W170. Sommers suggested that we address the possible mergers to make it clear that we‘‘re trying to avoid redundancy. We decided that Ellen Harrison will approach the NE group and get back to us in 30 days to determine interest. If interest in merging exists, we an request a 1-year extension. If NE is not interested, we will continue to write and strive for the May 15 deadline.

    Voting on officers  secretary and representatives affirmed by voice vote. Co-chairs: Sally Brown and Nick Basta. Secretary: Paul Schwab. Evanylou: non-Western representative. Dan Sullivan: Western representative.

    Next years meeting location will be Las Vegas. Al Page will see if he can firm up the particulars. Well meet over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January 2005.

    Accomplishments:
    Objective 1: Characterize the chemical and physical properties of residuals and residual-amended soils.
    Work on a large, multi-state cooperative project on the phytoavailability of N in biosolids amended soils was completed. The study included laboratory, field and modeling components. The research involved W170 members from Arkansas, Washington State, Michigan, Oregon, and Virginia. The project culminated with the publication of the study?s findings in the Journal of Environmental Quality: Gilmour, J.T., C.G. Cogger, L.W. Jacobs, G.K. Evanylo, and D.M. Sullivan. 2003. Decomposition and plant-available nitrogen in biosolids: Laboratory studies, field studies, and computer simulation. J. Environ. Qual. 32:1498-1507.

    Phosphorus in Biosolids - A great deal of research was also conducted on the phyto- and bioavailability of P in manures and biosolids in comparison to commercial P fertilizers. Research focused on defining appropriate measurement indices to evaluate the potential environmental impact of P added to soils. Runoff of soil added P was measured in a number of laboratory studies. The potential to reduce the environmental impact of soil P was also investigated through the addition of water treatment residuals to high P soils. Cooperative projects included ongoing studies at Penn State and U FL as well as new work with UFL and Michigan. Similar themes were present in many projects, indicating that cooperation was an important element of the research. Details of specific projects are provided below.

    In PA, Twenty food processing residuals (FPRs) which are routinely recycled on cropland were analyzed for total nutrient content and water extractable P to determine how these products will be impacted by implementation of P-based nutrient management. Many of the FPR have low P content and so their land application will not be significantly affected once the P Index is in place. Some FPRs (from dairy products and meat processing) have significant P content which may impact their disposal via land application. In Hawaii, a range of animal manures was analyzed for total nutrient and trace element composition. Total N and P were similar to values reported for manures on the mainland, however, higher total Cu and Zn concentrations were found in the Hawaiian manures.


    Objective 2: Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies.

    P availability - In OR, OR initiated a study to refine the P source component of the P-Index to recognize (i) differences in P solubility among biosolids sources and (2) differences in P solubility between biosolids-P and fertilizer-P. Available P recovered from soil increased linearly with P application rate up to 900 mg P kg-1. Biosolids with Al or Fe addition at the wastewater treatment plant (PSI = 0.3 to 0.7) had P availabilities equivalent to 6 to 32 % of fertilizer-P. Other biosolids (PSI = 0.9 to 1.7) had P availabilities equal to 38 to 82 % of fertilizer P. We recommend that the Oregon NRCS P-Index be modified to include phosphorus availability coefficients (PAC) for biosolids relative to P fertilizer based on biosolids PSI. We recommend a PAC = 0.2 for alum-treated or ferric chloride treated biosolids with PSI < 0.7; PAC = 0.5 for biosolids with PSI = 0.7 to 1.3; and PAC = 0.8 for biosolids with PSI > 1.3. Similar results were also observed in VA where both total and available P and N in composts and poultry litter were evaluated in a field study.

    Runoff potential - In Hawaii, the importance of soil type in evaluating P runoff potential was evaluated. A simulated P runoff was studied on two Hawaii soils. A Mollisol and an Oxisol were placed in plastic trays with 1000 mg P/kg as chicken, swine manure or TSP and inclined to create a 5% slope (50 cm long). Sprinklers simulated rainfall and P was measured in the runoff collected. The Oxisol retained much more P than the Mollisol. Amounts of P released to the runoff water varied with source and time: fastest with the inorganic P (treble-superphosphate) and slowest with the composted swine manure. If 1.0 mg/L of total P in runoff is the recommended limit to minimize P pollution, then the Mollisol should not receive high P applications.

    At Penn State, the role of P source for runoff potential was evaluated. A rainfall simulation study, following the National Phosphorus Research Project protocol, was conducted with ten biosolids and dairy manure to evaluated P runoff losses. All P-sources were applied at rates to achieve a common plant available N rate (134 kg PAN ha-1) resulting in P application rates ranging from 122 (dairy manure) to 555 (Syracuse N-Viro) kg P ha-1. The results underscore the need to consider the variable water solubility of the biosolids- or manure-P when assessing P loss potential following land application.

    Reducing the potential for P runoff was evaluated in many labs with the use of water treatment residuals. - (this research described below also addresses Objective 3). In a greenhouse study conducted by CO State University using simulated buffer strips, the efficacy of WTR to increase the removal of P in surface runoff was determined. Modeling using OPUS2 indicated that about a 10 mm soil-cover thickness of WTR was needed to remove P in an overland-flow system.

    The longevity of the P sorption on WTRs was evaluated in a cooperative study with U FL and MI State with lab components of the study being conducted at U FL and field plots being maintained at MI State. At two field sites (established in 1998), soil test P levels have declined with time at all sites, but alum WTR did not contribute to this decrease. At the other four sites (two established in 1999 and two in 2000), some decline in Bray P1 soil test levels was observed and alum WTR amendments significantly decreased soil test P levels compared to unamended control soils. Leaching of soluble P to subsoils is suspected to have contributed to the decreased P levels observed at all sites.

    U FL continued efforts to artificially age soil/waste mixtures to determine the long-term stability of P immobilized by WTR additions to soils. This portion of the study is being conducted in FL. Aging is being encouraged in long-term incubations of residuals-amended soils at elevated temperatures. We are examining samples from various field studies, including a long-term study by W-170cooperators in Michigan (Jacobs), where WTRs were applied in 1998 to two sites with long manure application histories to control soluble P levels. The data suggest that there is little reason to believe that WTR-immobilized P will be released over time.

    Trace Elements - Work has continued in the group on the behavior and bioavailability of trace elements in soils. This work includes, but is not limited to biosolids amended soils

    Se - Two groups, CA, and CO have done research on evaluating and reducing the bioavailability of Se in Soils. In CA, work focused on evaluating the bioavailability of Se through the use of sequential extraction procedures. In addition, the potential to maximize Se volatilization was demonstrated by manipulating the soil environment in wetland mesocosms. Planted mesocosms showed a volatilization rate of 40% while control mesocosms showed a volatilization rate of 23%. CO studied the sorption of selenate and selenite by water treatment residuals with respect to pH. We found selenate sorption decreased with increasing pH, most likely due to increasing net negative charge on WTR. However, the selenite sorption increased with increasing pH, and may be due to the possible presence of calcium carbonate in WTR. Further research is required.

    Mo - Plant uptake of Mo continued to be evaluated in OH and PA as additions to the large research effort headed by O?Connor in FL. In OH, uptake of Cu and MO in wheat forage was studied. Forage uptake of Mo and Cu showed temporal variation between years but increased with biosolids application rate. The Cu:Mo ratio of washed forage was > 2.9 and was inversely related to biosolids application rate. Forage Mo was < 2 mg/kg. Unwashed forage had a larger Cu:Mo ratio than washed forage. Forage Mo increased with biosolids application for unwashed forage. However, the Cu:Mo ratio of unwashed forage decreased with increased biosolids application was the unwashed forage Cu:Mo ratio was > 10. Biosolids application had no effect on forage S content that were < 3000 mg/kg. The calculated UC of Mo for winter wheat in Oklahoma of 0.24 (washed forage) and 0.36 (unwashed forage) is less than UC of 0.42 used by U.S. EPA in their risk assessment used for governing land application of biosolids (e.g. Part 503).

    As and Pb - Work was conducted at OH to evaluate the bioavailable fraction of total soil As. Arsenic extracted by five commonly used soil extractants was compared with bioavailable arsenic measured in vivo by immature swine (Sus scrofa) dosing trials. Fifteen contaminated soils that contained 233 to 17 500 mg kg?1 arsenic were studied. The strongest relationship between arsenic determined by soil chemical extraction and in vivo bioavailable arsenic was found for hydroxylamine hydrochloride extractant (r = 0.88, significant at the 0.01 probability level). At U WA, Pb and As contaminated soils were incubated with a high Fe biosolids compost, steer manure compost, and WTR. Reductions in both Pb and As bioavailability were measured using the in vitro procedure. The high Fe biosolids compost was very effective in reducing Pb availability with small but significant reductions in As availability observed in some of the soils. However, in certain cases, As availability was increased following compost amendment. This may be related to the high P content of the composts.

    Cd and Zn - USDA ARS continued work that was begun at US EPA NMRML on the phytoavailability of Cd and Zn in biosolids amended soils. This work addresses objectives 2 and 3, and is the quantitative basis for the use of biosolids to reduce metal availability at contaminated sites. At USDA two approaches were taken to measure changes in metal adsorption and phytoavailability in soils amended with manures, biosolids, composts, or byproduct. In one, Cd adsorption was measured at several pH levels in unamended and amended soils. Both soil organic and inorganic fractions play a role in Cd adsorption by soils, when biosolids were applied the Fe and Mn oxides provided persistent increase in Cd adsorption by amended soils.

    Ecosystem Restoration - Work has also continued on the use of residuals for restoration of disturbed sites. This has extended to include measures of ecosystem function at both restored sites and at biosolids amended sites. This work fell under objectives 2 and 3.

    In CO, Denver Metro Wastewater District composted biosolids were applied at rates of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha-1 to a severely burned, previously forested site near Buffalo Creek, CO to improve soil fertility and help establish seven native, seeded grasses. Following treatment, total biomass of vegetation increased with increasing biosolids application and the percentage of bareground decreased. The application of biosolids to this site has improved soil fertility and plant production, and resulted in enhanced post-fire ecosystem recovery.

    At U WA and Purdue, ecosystem function was evaluated on biosolids amended sites. At UWA, the function of frankia on alder roots was evaluated. It was found that commercial N application decreased N fixation by frankia, but biosolids did not. At Purdue, the effect of biosolids addition on ecosystem function as measured by a range of indices including in vitro extractable metals, earthworm mortality and reproduction, and plant germination suggest that biosolids application has no negative effects on a range of functions.

    Impact Statements:
    1. Research provides information on appropriate management of residuals for land application to maintain environmental quality and protect human health.
    2. Evaluation of nutrient and trace element bioavailabilities in residual-amended field and greenhouse studies. Studies with P in biosolids and other residuals have demonstrated that the behavior of P in biosolids is different from the behavior of P in commercial fertilizers and thus research results obtained with fertilizers cannot be extrapolated to waste treated soils.
    3. The bioavailability of P in manures and biosolids will vary based on specific properties of the materials. It may be possible to reduce the environmental impact of excess P applications in wastes through targeted soil amendments, a result that may alter regulations regarding P additions to soils in certain states.
    4. Studies on metals in biosolids amended systems will provide assurance as to the safety of these materials and will also provide the scientific basis for use of these materials for restoration of severely disturbed sites. This approach is gaining acceptance within the Superfund program.
    5. Long-term field plots provide information on the sustainability of land application practices for biosolids and other residuals. Studies also provide information on the ability of soil amendments including water treatment residuals to reduce bioavailability of waste constituents over extended time frames.
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