Environ Monit Assess (2015)87:3 DOI 10.1007/s10661-015-4562-y
Influence of municipal solid waste compost application on heavy metal content in soil Orhan Yuksel
Received: 14 January 2015 / Accepted: 21 April 2015 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Abstract Municipal solid waste composts (MSWC) are widely used over agricultural lands as organic soil amendment and fertilizer. However, MSWC use may result in various adverse impacts over agricultural lands. Especially, heavy metal contents of MSWC should always be taken into consideration while using in agricultural practices. The present study was conducted to find out heavy metal contents of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and to investigate their effects on soils. Experiments were carried out in three replications as field experiments for 2 years. Dry-based MSWC was applied to each plot at the ratios of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 t ha−1. Results revealed that heavy metal content of MSWC was within the allowable legal limits. Compost treatments significantly increased Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb content of soils (p Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni. Pinamonti et al. (1997) reported significant increases in total Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb contents of MSWC-treated soils and indicated the order of heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soils and plants as Zn>Cu>Pb=Cd>Cr> Ni. This order (except for Cd) is similar to one observed in the present study. Although MSWC significantly increased the heavy metal contents of the soils, the differences between the years were not found to be significant (Fig. 1). Such insignificant differences indicate the maintenance of the impacts similarly throughout the following year. Researchers reported that MSWCs decomposed in Table 4 Heavy metal values of MSWC used in the experiment and allowable limits for heavy metals in MSWC (mg kg−1 dry matter) Cu
Zn
Ni
Cr
Cd
Pb
MSWC
281.4
316.2
38.4
60.7
0.89
63.5
Limit valuea
400.0
700.0
62.0
210.0
3.00
150.0
a
Maximum acceptable trace element content in Category A compost (CCME 2005)
longer durations and effects in soil takes longer than the other organic fertilizers. Since MSWCs have lower initial nitrogen contents, low pH levels and higher oil contents, microorganism activity starts late and consequently decomposition rates are slow (Atagana et al. 2003; Neves et al. 2009). Heavy metal contents of MSWC were significantly higher than the experimental soils. When the ratios of MSWC heavy metal contents (Table 4) to soil heavy metal contents (Table 3) were evaluated, significant differences were observed between the metals. These differences were 10-folds for Pb, 14-folds for Zn, and 45-folds for Cd, and the order was as Cd>Zn>Pb>Cu> Cr>Ni. Increase in soil heavy metal contents with MSWC treatments was also similar to this ranking. Therefore, heavy metal concentration of MSWC may be considered as a significant reason for the increase in soil heavy metal contents. Baldwin and Shelton (1999) indicated close relationships between MSWC heavy metal concentration and availability of Cu and Zn-like heavy metals in soil and plant. However, the increase in heavy metal contents of experimental soils of the present study did not exceed the threshold values given in Table 3 even at the highest dose (200 t ha−1). Heavy metal contents of MSWCs vary based on various factors. Non-source-separated composts usually have higher heavy metal contents than the sourceseparated composts. The materials like battery, tire, and textile in these wastes may increase the heavy metal content of the compost (Petruzzelli and Pezzarossa 2001). Use of composts made of such kind of wastes is banned in some countries (Epstein et al. 1992). The MSWC of the present study is non-source-separated compost and, therefore, heavy metal contents may be high. But heavy metal contents of MSWC of the present study were below the threshold values (Table 4). Heavy metal contents of MSWC of the study were also not higher than the values of MSWCs provided in Smith (2009) and even significantly lower than most of them. Threshold value for annual allowable heavy metal loads (Table 6) should definitely be taken into consideration while using MSWC in agricultural lands. Therefore, amounts of heavy metals given to soils by 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 t ha−1 MSWC treatments were calculated in kg ha−1 (Table 6). Heavy metal analyses results (Table 4) of the compost were used in these calculations. When these values were compared to standard values provided in the table, possible heavy metal risk of each heavy metal would partially be identified.
Environ Monit Assess (2015)87:3
Page 5 of 7 31
80
70
70
60 50
50
Zn (mg kg-1)
Cu (mg kg-1)
60
40 30 20 10
1.year
40 30 20 10
2. year
0
1.year
0
40
80
120
160
0
200
40
40
29
35
28
30
27
Cr (mg kg-1)
Ni (mg kg-1)
30
26 25 24 23 22
80
120
160
200
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
1.year
25 20 15 10 5
2. year
1.year
2. year
0
21 0
40
80
120
160
200
0
40
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
80
120
160
200
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
0,10
14 12
Pb (mg kg-1)
0,08
Cd (mg kg-1)
2. year
0
0,06 0,04 0,02 1.year
2. year
0,00
10 8 6 4 2
1.year
2. year
0
0
40
80
120
160
200
0
40
80
120
160
200
Compost dose (t ha-1)
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
Fig. 1 Heavy metal contents of the soil samples of the years
As it was seen in the table, annual maximum allowable dose was observed as 10 t ha−1 for Cu, 20 t ha−1 for Zn,
Ni, Cd, and Pb, 40 t ha−1 for Cr. According to such values, since annual MSWC treatment levels around
Table 5 Mean values of experimental soils of the 1st and the 2nd year Heavy metals (mg kg−1)
Compost dose (t ha−1)
LSD0.05
0
40
80
Cu
31.12 ca
33.39 c (7)b
37.52 c (21)
51.34 b (65)
56.23 b (81)
66.17 a (113)
7.25
Zn
21.82 d
25.45 d (17)
35.25 c (62)
42.05 b (93)
47.31 b (117)
56.87 a (161)
6.73
Ni
24.82 c
24.88 c (0.2)
26.34 bc (6)
26.80 ab (8)
27.32 ab (10)
28.27 a (14)
1.79
Cr
25.96 c
26.22 c (1)
28.06 bc (8)
28.54 bc (10)
30.06 ab (16)
32.54 a (25)
3.52
Cd
0.023 c
0.029 c (26)
0.053 b (130)
Pb
5.95 d
6.85 cd (15)
7.50 c (26)
120
0.070 ab (204) 10.31 b (73)
a
Means with the same letter are not significantly different at 0.05
b
The values in brackets show relative increases according to the control values (%)
160
0.081 a (252) 11.18 ab (88)
200
0.087 a (278) 12.08 a (103)
0.02 1.31
31
Environ Monit Assess31 :781 )5 02(
Page 6 of 7 Table 6 Heavy metals given to soils through MSWC treatments Heavy metals (kg ha−1)
Compost dose (t ha−1)
TSa (kg ha−1 yil−1)
10
20
40
80
120
160
200
Cu
2.82
5.63
11.26
22.51
33.76
45.02
56.27
3
Zn
3.16
6.33
12.65
25.30
37.95
50.60
63.25
7.5
Ni
0.39
0.77
1.54
3.07
4.61
6.14
7.68
Cr
0.61
1.22
2.43
4.80
7.29
9.71
12.14
Cd
0.01
0.02
0.04
0.07
0.11
0.14
0.18
0.03
Pb
0.64
1.27
2.54
5.08
7.61
10.15
12.69
1.75
0.9 3
Threshold values for annual heavy metal loads to be applied to soils based on 10 years average according to Turkish Standards (kg ha−1 yil−1 ) (TGON 2010) a
10 t ha−1 do not exceed threshold values in soils with pH>7, this dose may not create any legal problems. Again, since the doses above 10 t ha−1 may create risks with regard to some metals (such as Cu), higher doses should be avoided to be used in soils. There are various opinions about the MSWC doses to be applied in soils. Ozores-Hampton et al. (2005) reported that applications of biosolid and composted organic materials did not increase soil and pepper fruit heavy metal contents in long-term experiments; therefore, that can be safely used in Sandy soils of Florida. On the other hand, Zhao and Duo (2015) used MSW compost in the experiments and all soil heavy metal contents except nickel (Ni) exceeded maximum allowable limits for Chinese regulations. Kluge (2001) indicated that heavy metal pollution risk of soils might be considered as low and acceptable as long as the compost dose does not exceed 10 t ha−1 dry matter. Ayari et al. (2010) indicated that 80 ton ha−1 yr−1 MSW compost treatment did not exceed critical concentration for plants. The threshold values are between 6 and 8 t ha−1 in some European countries (Barth 2001).
Conclusion Effects of increasing MSWC doses on soil heavy metal contents were investigated in this study. Heavy metal contents of both MSWC and experimental soils were found to be within allowable legal limits. Waste composts significantly increased Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb contents of the soils. Heavy metal contents increased with increasing compost doses, and the highest increases were generally observed in 200 t ha−1 compost
dose. Differences between the heavy metal contents of the years were not found to be significant. Such insignificant differences indicate the maintenance of the impacts similarly throughout the following year. Order of increases with increasing MSWC doses was observed as Cd> Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr >Ni. Although compost treatments significantly increased heavy metal contents of the soils, the increased values were still within allowable legal limits. However, considering the allowable maximum annual heavy metal loads, amount of MSWC should also be taken into consideration. Current calculations revealed that MSWC doses over 10 t ha−1 dry matter may create a heavy metal risk in the long run. Therefore, in MSWC use over agricultural lands, heavy metal contents should always be taken into consideration and excessive uses should be avoided.
References Arthur, E., Cornelis, W., & Razzaghi, F. (2012). Compost amendment of sandy soil affects soil properties and greenhouse tomato productivity. Compost Science & Utilization, 20, 215–221. Atagana, I. H., Haynes, R. J., & Wallis, F. M. (2003). Cocomposting of soil heavily contaminated with creosote with cattle manure and vegetable waste for the bioremediation of cre os ot e-c on ta m in at ed s oi l. S oi l an d S e d i m e nt Contamination, 12, 885–899. Ayari, F., Hamdi, H., Jedidi, N., Gharbi, N., & Kossai, R. (2010). Heavy metal distribution in soil and plant in municipal solid waste compost amended plots. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 7, 465–472. Baldwin, K. R., & Shelton, J. E. (1999). Availability of heavy metals in compost-amended soil. Bioresource Technology, 69, 1–14.
Environ Monit Assess (2015)87:3 Barth, J. (2001). Legal Framework for Compost Application in Europe. Proceedings of the Applying Compost Benefits and Needs (pp. 237–243), Brussels. Blake, G. R., & Hartge, K. H. (1986). Bulk density. In D. A. Klute (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis (Part 1-physical and mineralogical methods, pp. 363–375). Madison: SSSA Book Series: 5. Bouzaiane, O., Jedidi, N., & Hassen, A. (2014). Microbial biomass improvement following municipal waste compost application in agricultural soil. In D. K. Maheshwari (Ed.), Composting for Sustainable Agriculture (pp. 199–207). Springer. Carbonell, G., de Imperial, R. M., Torrijos, M., Delgado, M., & Rodriguez J. A. (2011). Effects of municipal solid waste compost and mineral fertilizer amendments on soil properties and heavy metals distribution in maize plants (Zea mays L.). Chemosphere, 85, 1614–1623. CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment). (2005). Guidelines for Compost Quality. http://www.ccme. ca/files/Resources/waste/compostgdlns_1340_e.pdf. Accessed January 2015. EAWAG. (1970). Methoden zur Untersuchung Von Abfalîstoffen Abteilung für Müllforschung, Schweiz-8600, Düberdorf. Epstein, E., Chaney, R. L., Henry, C., & Logan, T. J. (1992). Trace elements in municipal solid waste compost. Biomass and Bioenergy, 3, 227–238. Farrell, M., & Jones, D. L. (2009). Critical evaluation of municipal solid waste composting and potential compost markets. Bioresource Technology, 100, 4301–4310. Gee, G. W., & Bauder, J. W. (1986). Particle-size analysis. In D. A. Klute (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis (Part 1-physical and mineralogical methods, pp. 383–411). Madison: SSSA Book Series: 5. Hargreaves, J. C., Adl, M. S., & Warman, P. R. (2008). A review of the use of composted municipal solid waste in agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 123, 1–14. Jordao, C. P., Nascentes, C. C., Cecon, P. R., Fontes, R. L. F., & Pereira, J. L. (2006). Heavy metal availability in soil amended with composted urban solid wastes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 112, 309–326. Kloke, A., Sauerbeck, D. R., & Vetter, H. (1984). The contamination of plants and soils with heavy metals and the transport of metals in terrestrial food chains. In J. O. Nriagu (Ed.), Changing metal cycles and human health (pp. 113–141). Berlin: Springer. Kluge, R. (2001). Risk of heavy metal pollution of soils during application of composts. Proceedings of the Applying Compost Benefits and Needs (pp. 207–208), Brussels. Loeppert, R. H., & Suarez, D. L. (1996). Carbonate and gypsum. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis (Part 3chemical methods, pp. 437–474). Madison: SSSA Book Series: 5. Madrid, F., López, R., & Cabrera, F. (2007). Metal accumulation in soil after application of municipal solid waste compost under intensive farming conditions. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 119, 249–256. Montemurro, F., Maiorana, M., Convertini, G., & Fornaro, F. (2005). Improvement of soil properties and nitrogen utilization of sunflower by amending municipal solid waste compost. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 25, 369–375.
Page 7 of 7 31 Mylavarapu, R. S., & Zinati, G. M. (2009). Improvement of soil properties using compost for optimum parsley production in sandy soils. Scientia Horticulturae, 120, 426–430. Nelson, D. W., & Sommers, L. E. (1996). Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis (Part 3-chemical methods, pp. 961–1010). Madison: SSSA Book Series: 5. Neves, L., Ferreira, V., & Oliveira, R. (2009). Co-composting cow manure with food waste: the influence of lipids content. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 34, 986–991. Ozcan, H., Ekinci, H., Yüksel, O., Kavdır, Y., & Kaptan, H. (2004). Soils of Dardanos Campus. COMU Agricultural Faculty Press 39, Çanakkale-Turkey (In Turkish). Ozores-Hampton, M., Stansly, P. A., & Obreza, T. A. (2005). Heavy metal accumulation in a sandy soil and in pepper fruit following long-term application of organic amendments. Compost Science & Utilization, 13, 60–64. Petruzzelli, G., & Pezzarossa, B. (2001). Sorption and availability dynamics of heavy metals in compost amended systems. Proceedings of the Applying Compost Benefits and Needs (pp. 179–190), Brussels. Pinamonti, F., Stringari, G., Gasperi, F., & Zorzi, G. (1997). The use of compost: its effects on heavy metal levels in soil and plants. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 21, 129–143. SAS Institute. (1999). SAS/STAT Users guide Vol. 2 Version 6ed. SA Inst., Cary, NC. Singh, J., & Kalamdhad, A. S. (2013). Bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals during composting—a review. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences, 2, 59–64. Smith, S. R. (2009). A critical review of the bioavailability and impacts of heavy metals in municipal solid waste composts compared to sewage sludge. Environment International, 35, 142–156. Soil Survey Laboratory Staff. (1992). Soil survey laboratory methods manual. Washington: Soil Surv. Invest.Reps. 42. USDA-SCS. Soumare, M., Tack, F. M. G., & Verloo, M. G. (2003). Characterisation of Malian and Belgian solid waste composts with respect to fertility and suitability for land application. Waste Management, 23, 517–522. TGON (Turkish Government Official Newspaper). (2010). The regulation for use of household and urban sewage sludge in soils. Date: 03.08.2010, No: 27661. http://www.resmigazete. gov.tr. Accessed January 2015 (In Turkish). TUIK (Turkish Statistical Institute). (2014). Amount of municipal waste by disposal methods. http://www.turkstat.gov.tr. Accessed January 2015 (In Turkish). USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). (2014). Municipal solid waste generation, recycling, and disposal in the United States Tables and Figures for 2012. http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/2012_ msw_dat_tbls.pdf. Accessed January 2015. Zhao, S., & Duo, L. (2015). Bioaccumulation cadmium, copper, zinc and nickel by weed species from municipal solid waste compost. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 24, 413– 417.
Influence of municipal solid waste compost application on heavy metal content in soil Orhan Yuksel
Received: 14 January 2015 / Accepted: 21 April 2015 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Abstract Municipal solid waste composts (MSWC) are widely used over agricultural lands as organic soil amendment and fertilizer. However, MSWC use may result in various adverse impacts over agricultural lands. Especially, heavy metal contents of MSWC should always be taken into consideration while using in agricultural practices. The present study was conducted to find out heavy metal contents of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and to investigate their effects on soils. Experiments were carried out in three replications as field experiments for 2 years. Dry-based MSWC was applied to each plot at the ratios of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 t ha−1. Results revealed that heavy metal content of MSWC was within the allowable legal limits. Compost treatments significantly increased Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb content of soils (p Cu>Pb>Cr>Ni. Pinamonti et al. (1997) reported significant increases in total Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb contents of MSWC-treated soils and indicated the order of heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soils and plants as Zn>Cu>Pb=Cd>Cr> Ni. This order (except for Cd) is similar to one observed in the present study. Although MSWC significantly increased the heavy metal contents of the soils, the differences between the years were not found to be significant (Fig. 1). Such insignificant differences indicate the maintenance of the impacts similarly throughout the following year. Researchers reported that MSWCs decomposed in Table 4 Heavy metal values of MSWC used in the experiment and allowable limits for heavy metals in MSWC (mg kg−1 dry matter) Cu
Zn
Ni
Cr
Cd
Pb
MSWC
281.4
316.2
38.4
60.7
0.89
63.5
Limit valuea
400.0
700.0
62.0
210.0
3.00
150.0
a
Maximum acceptable trace element content in Category A compost (CCME 2005)
longer durations and effects in soil takes longer than the other organic fertilizers. Since MSWCs have lower initial nitrogen contents, low pH levels and higher oil contents, microorganism activity starts late and consequently decomposition rates are slow (Atagana et al. 2003; Neves et al. 2009). Heavy metal contents of MSWC were significantly higher than the experimental soils. When the ratios of MSWC heavy metal contents (Table 4) to soil heavy metal contents (Table 3) were evaluated, significant differences were observed between the metals. These differences were 10-folds for Pb, 14-folds for Zn, and 45-folds for Cd, and the order was as Cd>Zn>Pb>Cu> Cr>Ni. Increase in soil heavy metal contents with MSWC treatments was also similar to this ranking. Therefore, heavy metal concentration of MSWC may be considered as a significant reason for the increase in soil heavy metal contents. Baldwin and Shelton (1999) indicated close relationships between MSWC heavy metal concentration and availability of Cu and Zn-like heavy metals in soil and plant. However, the increase in heavy metal contents of experimental soils of the present study did not exceed the threshold values given in Table 3 even at the highest dose (200 t ha−1). Heavy metal contents of MSWCs vary based on various factors. Non-source-separated composts usually have higher heavy metal contents than the sourceseparated composts. The materials like battery, tire, and textile in these wastes may increase the heavy metal content of the compost (Petruzzelli and Pezzarossa 2001). Use of composts made of such kind of wastes is banned in some countries (Epstein et al. 1992). The MSWC of the present study is non-source-separated compost and, therefore, heavy metal contents may be high. But heavy metal contents of MSWC of the present study were below the threshold values (Table 4). Heavy metal contents of MSWC of the study were also not higher than the values of MSWCs provided in Smith (2009) and even significantly lower than most of them. Threshold value for annual allowable heavy metal loads (Table 6) should definitely be taken into consideration while using MSWC in agricultural lands. Therefore, amounts of heavy metals given to soils by 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 t ha−1 MSWC treatments were calculated in kg ha−1 (Table 6). Heavy metal analyses results (Table 4) of the compost were used in these calculations. When these values were compared to standard values provided in the table, possible heavy metal risk of each heavy metal would partially be identified.
Environ Monit Assess (2015)87:3
Page 5 of 7 31
80
70
70
60 50
50
Zn (mg kg-1)
Cu (mg kg-1)
60
40 30 20 10
1.year
40 30 20 10
2. year
0
1.year
0
40
80
120
160
0
200
40
40
29
35
28
30
27
Cr (mg kg-1)
Ni (mg kg-1)
30
26 25 24 23 22
80
120
160
200
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
1.year
25 20 15 10 5
2. year
1.year
2. year
0
21 0
40
80
120
160
200
0
40
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
80
120
160
200
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
0,10
14 12
Pb (mg kg-1)
0,08
Cd (mg kg-1)
2. year
0
0,06 0,04 0,02 1.year
2. year
0,00
10 8 6 4 2
1.year
2. year
0
0
40
80
120
160
200
0
40
80
120
160
200
Compost dose (t ha-1)
Compost Dose (t ha-1)
Fig. 1 Heavy metal contents of the soil samples of the years
As it was seen in the table, annual maximum allowable dose was observed as 10 t ha−1 for Cu, 20 t ha−1 for Zn,
Ni, Cd, and Pb, 40 t ha−1 for Cr. According to such values, since annual MSWC treatment levels around
Table 5 Mean values of experimental soils of the 1st and the 2nd year Heavy metals (mg kg−1)
Compost dose (t ha−1)
LSD0.05
0
40
80
Cu
31.12 ca
33.39 c (7)b
37.52 c (21)
51.34 b (65)
56.23 b (81)
66.17 a (113)
7.25
Zn
21.82 d
25.45 d (17)
35.25 c (62)
42.05 b (93)
47.31 b (117)
56.87 a (161)
6.73
Ni
24.82 c
24.88 c (0.2)
26.34 bc (6)
26.80 ab (8)
27.32 ab (10)
28.27 a (14)
1.79
Cr
25.96 c
26.22 c (1)
28.06 bc (8)
28.54 bc (10)
30.06 ab (16)
32.54 a (25)
3.52
Cd
0.023 c
0.029 c (26)
0.053 b (130)
Pb
5.95 d
6.85 cd (15)
7.50 c (26)
120
0.070 ab (204) 10.31 b (73)
a
Means with the same letter are not significantly different at 0.05
b
The values in brackets show relative increases according to the control values (%)
160
0.081 a (252) 11.18 ab (88)
200
0.087 a (278) 12.08 a (103)
0.02 1.31
31
Environ Monit Assess31 :781 )5 02(
Page 6 of 7 Table 6 Heavy metals given to soils through MSWC treatments Heavy metals (kg ha−1)
Compost dose (t ha−1)
TSa (kg ha−1 yil−1)
10
20
40
80
120
160
200
Cu
2.82
5.63
11.26
22.51
33.76
45.02
56.27
3
Zn
3.16
6.33
12.65
25.30
37.95
50.60
63.25
7.5
Ni
0.39
0.77
1.54
3.07
4.61
6.14
7.68
Cr
0.61
1.22
2.43
4.80
7.29
9.71
12.14
Cd
0.01
0.02
0.04
0.07
0.11
0.14
0.18
0.03
Pb
0.64
1.27
2.54
5.08
7.61
10.15
12.69
1.75
0.9 3
Threshold values for annual heavy metal loads to be applied to soils based on 10 years average according to Turkish Standards (kg ha−1 yil−1 ) (TGON 2010) a
10 t ha−1 do not exceed threshold values in soils with pH>7, this dose may not create any legal problems. Again, since the doses above 10 t ha−1 may create risks with regard to some metals (such as Cu), higher doses should be avoided to be used in soils. There are various opinions about the MSWC doses to be applied in soils. Ozores-Hampton et al. (2005) reported that applications of biosolid and composted organic materials did not increase soil and pepper fruit heavy metal contents in long-term experiments; therefore, that can be safely used in Sandy soils of Florida. On the other hand, Zhao and Duo (2015) used MSW compost in the experiments and all soil heavy metal contents except nickel (Ni) exceeded maximum allowable limits for Chinese regulations. Kluge (2001) indicated that heavy metal pollution risk of soils might be considered as low and acceptable as long as the compost dose does not exceed 10 t ha−1 dry matter. Ayari et al. (2010) indicated that 80 ton ha−1 yr−1 MSW compost treatment did not exceed critical concentration for plants. The threshold values are between 6 and 8 t ha−1 in some European countries (Barth 2001).
Conclusion Effects of increasing MSWC doses on soil heavy metal contents were investigated in this study. Heavy metal contents of both MSWC and experimental soils were found to be within allowable legal limits. Waste composts significantly increased Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb contents of the soils. Heavy metal contents increased with increasing compost doses, and the highest increases were generally observed in 200 t ha−1 compost
dose. Differences between the heavy metal contents of the years were not found to be significant. Such insignificant differences indicate the maintenance of the impacts similarly throughout the following year. Order of increases with increasing MSWC doses was observed as Cd> Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr >Ni. Although compost treatments significantly increased heavy metal contents of the soils, the increased values were still within allowable legal limits. However, considering the allowable maximum annual heavy metal loads, amount of MSWC should also be taken into consideration. Current calculations revealed that MSWC doses over 10 t ha−1 dry matter may create a heavy metal risk in the long run. Therefore, in MSWC use over agricultural lands, heavy metal contents should always be taken into consideration and excessive uses should be avoided.
References Arthur, E., Cornelis, W., & Razzaghi, F. (2012). Compost amendment of sandy soil affects soil properties and greenhouse tomato productivity. Compost Science & Utilization, 20, 215–221. Atagana, I. H., Haynes, R. J., & Wallis, F. M. (2003). Cocomposting of soil heavily contaminated with creosote with cattle manure and vegetable waste for the bioremediation of cre os ot e-c on ta m in at ed s oi l. S oi l an d S e d i m e nt Contamination, 12, 885–899. Ayari, F., Hamdi, H., Jedidi, N., Gharbi, N., & Kossai, R. (2010). Heavy metal distribution in soil and plant in municipal solid waste compost amended plots. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 7, 465–472. Baldwin, K. R., & Shelton, J. E. (1999). Availability of heavy metals in compost-amended soil. Bioresource Technology, 69, 1–14.
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