Dynamics of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in soil amended with irradiated, pasteurized and limed biosolids.
Sewage biosolids contain high concentrations of pathogens, which limits their use as soil amendment. This study investigated how application of lime (Ca(OH)2), irradiation, or pasteurization reduced pathogens in biosolids and how its application affected soil characteristics. A soil sampled outside the canopy of Mesquite trees (Prosopis laevigata) and from a pasture at Lerma (Mexico) was amended with treated or untreated biosolids, characterized and incubated aerobically while dynamics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were monitored. Heavy metals concentrations in the biosolids were low, so it was of excellent quality (USEPA). The amount of pathogens in the biosolids made it a class "B" (USEPA) which can be used in forests. Only irradiation sufficiently reduced faecal coliforms to make it a class "A" biosolids without restrictions in application. C mineralization increased significantly when biosolids were added, but not concentrations of available P (P < 0.05). Ammonium (NH4+) concentrations in soil amended with biosolids were higher compared to unamended soil, but not the concentrations of nitrate (NO3-) except when biosolids treated with Ca(OH)2 was added to the Lerma soil.
Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Cinvestav, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Apartado Postal 14740, C.P. 07000 México DF, Mexico.
Olivia
O
Franco-Hernández
Alba Natalia
AN
Mckelligan-Gonzalez
Ana Maria
AM
Lopez-Olguin
Fabiola
F
Espinosa-Ceron
Eleazar
E
Escamilla-Silva
Luc
L
Dendooven
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D016468:Forestry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011827:Radiation; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
D017610:Calcium Compounds; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010087:Oxides; D012722:Sewage; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; C016538:lime; D009584:Nitrogen