title: Ecotoxicological assessment of residues from different biogas production plants used as fertilizer for soil.
abstract: Residues from biogas production (RBP) are a relatively new materials, which may be an interesting resource for the improvement of soil fertility. Nevertheless, in spite of the potential benefits from the agricultural utilization of RBP, there is a need of comprehensive estimation of their toxicity. This information is needed to exclude potential negative environmental impacts arising from the use of RBP. Samples of RBP obtained from six biogas production plants with varied biogas production methods were analysed. The samples with and without separation on solid and liquid phases were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the RBP, heavy metals content (Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb i Zn) and toxicity on bacteria (Vibrio fischeri, MARA test - 11 different strains), collembolans (Folsomia candida) and two plant species (Lepidium sativum and Sinapis alba) was investigated. Toxicity of RBP was examined using Phytotoxkit F (root growth inhibition), collembolan test (mortality, inhibition of reproduction), Microtox® (inhibition of the luminescence of V. fischeri) and MARA test (growth of microorganisms). An especially negative effect on the tested organisms whereas was noted for the liquid phase after separation. In many cases, RBP without separation also showed unfavourable effects on the tested organisms. Liquid phase after separation and non-separated materials caused inhibition of root growth of L. sativum and S. alba at the level of 17.42-100% and 30.5-100%, respectively, as well as the inhibition of reproduction of F. candida with the range from 68.89 to 100%. In most cases, no ecotoxicological effect was observed for solid phase after separation for tested organisms. The solid phase after separation presented the most favorable properties between all investigated RBP. Therefore, it can be a potential material for the improvement of soil properties and for later use in agriculture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 3 Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square, 20-031 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stefaniuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Al. Kraśnicka 2cd, 20-718 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bartmiński
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Ecology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Różyło
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Al. Kraśnicka 2cd, 20-718 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dębicki
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 3 Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square, 20-031 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: patryk.oleszczuk@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl.
authors.forename: Patryk
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oleszczuk
mesh_terms: D048908:Aliivibrio fischeri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000187:drug effects; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D056804:Biofuels / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000633:toxicity*; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005308:Fertilizers; D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil
keywords: Ecotoxicity; Fertilizer; Heavy metals; Liquid phase; Non-separated; Residues from biogas production; Solid phase