title: Estimation of PCB content in agricultural soils associated with long-term fertilization with organic waste.
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution related to the use of organic waste as fertilizers in agricultural soils is a cause of major concern. In the study presented herein, PCB concentration was studied through a field trial conducted in two agricultural soils in the province of Palencia (Spain) over a 4-year period, assessing the impact of irrigation and of different types of organic waste materials. The amounts of organic waste added to the soil were calculated according to the nitrogen needs of the crop, and the concentration of PCBs was determined before and after the application of the organic waste. The resulting persistence of the total PCB content in the agricultural soils, compared with the PCB concentration in the original soils, ranged from 27% to 90%, with the lowest value corresponding to irrigated soils treated with municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and the highest value to non-irrigated soils treated with composted sewage sludge (CSS). An estimate of the PCB content in agricultural soils after the application of organic waste materials until year 2050 was obtained, resulting in a value below 5 ng·g(-1), considered a background value for soils in sites far away from potential pollution sources.
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Forestry Science Department, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34004, Palencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antolín-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Forestry Science Department, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34004, Palencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Báscones
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Forestry Engineering Department, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004, Palencia, Spain. pmr@unizar.es.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martín-Ramos
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Forestry Science Department, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 57, 34004, Palencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bravo-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Carretera de Cuarte, s/n, 22071, Huesca, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martín-Gil
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D062611:Solid Waste; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D062611:Solid Waste; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Agricultural soils; Compost; Fertilization; PCBs; Pollution; Sludge