You are here:
LONG-TERM USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE ON AGRICULTURAL AND DISTURBED LANDS
Citation:
Hinesly, T. AND K. Redborg. LONG-TERM USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE ON AGRICULTURAL AND DISTURBED LANDS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-84/126.
Description:
This report presents results from the last 2 years of a 15-year study of the long term use of sewage sludge on agricultural and disturbed lands. The three field studies discussed here include (1) the response of corn to repeated annual applications of sewage sludge, (2) the differential uptake of zinc (Zn) in two selected corn hybrids grown on sludge-amended soil, and (3) the effects of high sludge application rates on strip-mine spoil characteristics and the response of plants. In the first study, anaerobically digested sludge was applied annually for 14 years by furrow irrigation to an acid Blount silt loam soil at average rates of 0, 12.5, 25, or 50 mt/ha (equivalent dry weight). Corn yields were higher during the last year than when the study was initiated for all treatment levels. Sludge applications caused reduced concentrations of Fe in corn stover, reduced Mn in leaf, grain, and stover, low but significant increases of Cu and Ni in all tissues, and marked increases of Cd and Zn in all tissues.