Ecological risk assessment of organic waste amendments using the species sensitivity distribution from a soil organisms test battery.
Safe amendment rates (the predicted no-effect concentration or PNEC) of seven organic wastes were estimated from the species sensitivity distribution of a battery of soil biota tests and compared with different realistic amendment scenarios (different predicted environmental concentrations or PEC). None of the wastes was expected to exert noxious effects on soil biota if applied according either to the usual maximum amendment rates in Europe or phosphorus demands of crops (below 2 tonnes DM ha(-1)). However, some of the wastes might be problematic if applied according to nitrogen demands of crops (above 2 tonnes DM ha(-1)). Ammonium content and organic matter stability of the studied wastes are the most influential determinants of the maximum amendment rates derived in this study, but not pollutant burden. This finding indicates the need to stabilize wastes prior to their reuse in soils in order to avoid short-term impacts on soil communities.
Domene
Xavier
X
Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) and Unit of Ecology, Department of Animal and Plant Biology and Ecology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. x.domene@creaf.uab.es
Ramírez
Wilson
W
Mattana
Stefania
S
Alcañiz
Josep Maria
JM
Andrés
Pilar
P
D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D005060:Europe; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000378:metabolism; D063245:Plant Development; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012722:Sewage; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D018505:Waste Management
D012722:Sewage; D012989:Soil Pollutants