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AuthorHechmi, Sarra
AuthorHamdi, Helmi
AuthorMokni-Tlili, Sonia
AuthorZoghlami, Inès Rahma
AuthorKhelil, Mohamed Naceur
AuthorBenzarti, Saoussen
AuthorHassen, Abdennaceur
AuthorJedidi, Naceur
Available date2023-10-10T10:37:54Z
Publication Date2020-03-01
Publication NameJournal of Environmental Quality
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20011
CitationHechmi, S, Hamdi, H, Mokni-Tlili, S, et al. Carbon mineralization, biological indicators and phytotoxicity to assess the impact of urban sewage sludge on two light-textured soils in microcosm. J. Environ. Qual. 2020; 49: 460–471. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20011
ISSN00472425
URIhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85081588525&origin=inward
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/48400
AbstractThe agricultural reuse of urban sewage sludge (USS) modifies soil properties depending on sludge quality, management, and pedo-environmental conditions. The aim of this microcosm study was to assess C mineralization and subsequent changes in soil properties after USS addition to two typical Mediterranean soils: sandy (Soil S) and sandy loam (Soil A) at equivalent field rates of 40 t ha−1 (USS-40) and 120 t ha−1 (USS-120). Outcomes proved the biodegradability of USS through immediate CO2 release inside incubation bottles in a dose-dependent manner. Accordingly, the highest rates of daily C emission were recorded with USS-120 (3.7 and 3.9 mg kg−1 d−1 for Soils S and A, respectively) after 84 d of incubation at 25 °C. The addition of USS also improved soil fertility by enhancing soil macronutrients, microbial proliferation, and protease activity. Protease showed significant correlation with N, total organic C, and heterotrophic bacteria, reflecting the biostimulation and bioaugmentation effects of sludge. Soil indices like C/N/P stoichiometry and metabolic quotient (qCO2) varied mostly with mineralization rates of C and P in both soils. Despite a significant increase of soil salinity and total heavy metal content (lead, nickel, zinc, and copper) with USS dose, wheat germination was not affected by these changes. Both experimental soils showed intrinsic (Soil A) and incubation-induced (Soil S) phytotoxicities that were alleviated by USS addition. This was likely due to the enhancement of biodegradation and/or retention of phytotoxicants originating from previous land uses. Urban sewage sludge amendments could have applications in soil remediation by reducing the negative effects of allelopathic and/or anthropogenic phytoinhibitors.
SponsorThis study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia. The authors thank the National Sanitation Office for providing urban sewage sludge.
Languageen
PublisherWiley
SubjectUrban sewage sludge
Carbon mineralization
Biological activity
Soil phytotoxicity
TitleCarbon mineralization, biological indicators, and phytotoxicity to assess the impact of urban sewage sludge on two light-textured soils in a microcosm
TypeArticle
Pagination460-471
Issue Number2
Volume Number49
ESSN1537-2537
dc.accessType Full Text


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