Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of compost application on soil vulnerability to heavy metal pollution

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soil vulnerability to heavy metal pollution is low in soils exhibiting an ability to strongly adsorb heavy metals on their geochemical fractions. Organic matter (OM) is among other components of soils, one of the most effective sorbing fractions. Compost addition is often used for soil remediation thereby enriching the soil with OM. However, compost is often enriched with heavy metals and thereby may induce adverse effects on the soil and plants growing in them. Compost-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) can mobilize heavy metals. The balance between two contrasting effects of compost—mobilization and immobilization of heavy metals—was studied under the conditions of adsorption–desorption batch experiment. Metal adsorption to different geochemical fractions of soil treated with compost was examined by a combined batch-adsorption experiment and a sequential extraction procedure. Compost-derived DOM mobilized Cu at low loading levels, whereas adsorption of Cd and Pb was not decreased by DOM application. Compost was found to be a source of an important reducible oxides fraction (RO—sorbing and fixation fraction) and also of the OM geochemical fractions that most commonly immobilizes heavy metals. The Langmuir and Freundlich models employed in our study exhibited a good fit for most of data the experimental data obtained on bulk samples. Adsorption of the metals on operationally defined geochemical fractions was described by a linear function in several experimental instances.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alumaa P, Steiness E, Kirso U, Petersell V (2001) Heavy metal sorption by different Estonian soil types at low equilibrium solution concentrations. Proc Est Acad Sci Chem 50(2):104–115

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Antoniadis V, Alloway B (2002) The role of dissolved organic carbon in the mobility of Cd, Ni and Zn in sewage sludge-amended soils. Environ Pollut 117:515–521

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Appel C, Ma L (2002) Concentration, pH, and surface charge effects on cadmium and lead sorption in three tropical soils. J Environ Qual 31:581–589

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arias M, Barral M, Mejuto J (2002) Enhancement of copper and cadmium adsorption on kaolin by the presence of humic acids. Chemosphere 48:1081–1088

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basta N, Gradwohlb R, Snethenab K, Schroderab J (2001) Chemical immobilization of lead, zinc, and cadmium in smelter-contaminated soils using biosolids and rock phosphate. J Environ Qual 30:1222–1230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basta NT, Ryan J, Chaney R (2005) Trace element chemistry in residual-treated soil: key concepts and metal bioavailability. J Environ Qual 34:49–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bolan N, Adriano D, de-la Luz M (2004) Dynamics and environmental significance of dissolved organic matter in soil. SuperSoil 2004: 3rd Australian New Zealand Soils Conference, 5–9 December 2004, University of Sydney, Australia

  • Bolster CH, Hornberger GM (2007) On the use of linearized Langmuir equations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:1796–1806

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaturvedi P, Chandra S, Virendra M (2006) Sorption kinetics and leachability of heavy metal from the contaminated soil amended with immobilizing agent (humus soil and hydroxyapatite). Chemosphere 64:1109–1114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chefetz B, Hadar Y, Chen Y (1988) Dissolved organic carbon fractions formed during composting of municipal solid waste: properties and significance. Acta Hydrochim Hydrobiol 26:172–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Inbar Y, Barak P (1991) Soil testing methods (in Hebrew). Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen T (1983) Cadmium soil sorption at low concentrations: 1. Effect of time, cadmium load, pH, and calcium. Water Air Soil Pollut 21:105–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dho N, Lee SR (2003) Effect of temperature on single and competitive adsorptions of Cu(II) and Zn(II) onto natural clays. Environ Monit Assess 83:177–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dube A, Zbytniewski R, Kowalkowski T, Cukrowska E, Buszewski B (2001) Adsorption and migration of heavy metals in soil. Pol J Environ Stud 10:1–10

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dudal Y, Sevenier G, Dupont L, Guillon E (2005) Fate of the metal-binding soluble organic matter throughout a soil profile. Soil Sci 170:707–715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Echeverria J, Morera M, Mazkiaran C, Garrido J (1998) Competitive sorption of heavy metal by soils. Isotherms and fractional factorial experiments. Environ Pollut 101:275–284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EPA Method 6010c (2007) Inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/epa-6010c.pdf. Accessed 10 April 2017

  • Filgueiras A, Lavilla I, Bendicho C (2002) Chemical sequential extraction for metal partitioning in environmental solid samples. J Environ Monit 4:823–857

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fine P, Hass A, Prost R, Atzmon N (2002) Organic carbon leaching from effluent irrigated lysimeters as affected by residence time. Soil Sci Soc Am J 66:1531–1539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fontaine S, Mariotti A, Ababdie L (2003) The priming effect of organic matter: a question of microbial competition? Soil Biol Biochem 35:837–843

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fontes M (2013) Behavior of heavy metals in soils: individual and multiple competitive adsorption. In: Selim H (ed) Competitive sorption and transport of heavy metals in soils and geological media. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 77–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Gat P (2006) The effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) originaing from biosolid on metal binding, solubilization and uptake by plants. Dissertation, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

  • Gomes PC, Fontes MPF, da Silva AG, Mendonca E de S, Netto A (2001) Selectivity sequence and competitive adsorption of heavy metals by Brazilian soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 65:1115–1121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guggenberger G, Kaiser K (2003) Dissolved organic matter in soil: challenging the paradigm of sorptive preservation. Geoderma 113:293–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han F, Banin A (2001) Fractional loading isotherm of heavy metals in an arid-zone soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 32(17&18):2691–2708

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He X, Logan T, Traina S (1995) Physical and chemical characteristics of selected U.S. municipal solid waste composts. J Environ Qual 24:543–552

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jueschke E, Marschner B, Tarchitzky J, Chen Y (2008) Effects of treated wastewater irrigation on the dissolved and soil organic carbon in Israeli soils. Water Sci Technol 57:727–733

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias H (2001) Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC Press LLC, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Langmuir I (1918) The adsorption of gases on plane surfaces of glass, mica and platinum. J Am Chem Soc 40:1361–1403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madrid F, Lopez R, Cabrera F (2007) Metal accumulation in soil after application of municipal solid waste compost under intensive farming conditions. Agric Ecosyst Environ 119(3–4):249–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Villegas N, Flores-Velez L, Domnguez O (2004) Sorption of lead in soil as a function of pH: a study case in Mexico. Chemosphere 57:1537–1542

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLean JE, Bledsoe BE (1992) Behavior of metals in soils. EPA ground water issue EPA/540/S-92/018

  • Minkina T, Motusova G, Mandzhieva S, Nazarenko O, Simunic I (2011) Transformation of heavy metal compounds during the remediation of contaminated soils. Agric Conspec Sci 76(1):19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Pueyo M, Rauret G, Luck D, Yli-Halla M, Muntau H, Quevauviller P, Lopez-Sanchez J (2001) Certification of the extractable contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a freshwater sediment following a collaboratively tested and optimised three-step sequential extraction procedure. J Environ Monit 3:243–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen V, Chen Y (2014) The influence of compost addition on heavy metal distribution between operationally defined geochemical fractions and on metal accumulation in plant. J Soils Sediments 14:713–720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salim IA, Miller C, Howard J (1996) Sorption isotherm-sequential extraction analysis of heavy metal retention in landfill liners. Soil Sci Soc Am J 60:107–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Selim H (2013) Competitive sorption of heavy metals in soils: experimental evidence. In: Selim H (ed) Competitive sorption and transport of heavy metals in soils and geological media. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 1–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Shlosberg A (2010) Syndromes of ill-health associated with copper. Isr J Vet Med 65:170–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith R (2009) A critical review of the bioavailability and impacts of heavy metals in municipal solid waste composts compared to sewage sludge. Environ Int 35(1):142–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson FJ (1994) Humus chemistry: genesis, composition, reactions. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Tandy S, Healey J, Nason M, Williamson J, Jones D (2009) Remediation of metal polluted mine soil with compost: co-composting versus incorporation. Environ Pollut 157:690–697

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaca-Paulin R, Esteller-Alberich M, Lugo-de la Fuente J, Zavaleta-Mancera H (2006) Effect of sewage sludge or compost on the sorption and distribution of copper and cadmium in soil. Waste Manag 26:71–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vega FA, Covelo E, Andrade M (2011) Applying Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkim models in Cu and Pb soil sorption experiments. Spanish J Soil Sci 1(1):20–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal M, Santos M, Abrao T, Rodriguez J, Rigol A (2009) Modeling competitive metal sorption in a mineral soil. Geoderma 149:189–198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weng L, Temminghoff EJM, Lofts S, Tipping E, van Riemsdijk WH (2002) Complexation with dissolved organic matter and solubility control of heavy metals in a sandy soil. Environ Sci Technol 36:4804–4810

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wong J, Zhou L (2003) Behavior of heavy metals in soil: effect of dissolved organic matter. In: Selim H, Kingery W (eds) Geochemical and hydrology reactivity of heavy metals in soils. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, pp 245–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng G, Chen T, Gao D, Luo W (2004) Dynamic of lead speciation in sewage sludge composting. Water Sci Technol 50:75–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zmora-Nahum S, Hadar Y, Chen Y (2007) Physico-chemical properties of commercial composts varying in their source materials and country of origin. Soil Biol Biochem 39:1263–1276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil and Water Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 76100, Rehovot, Israel

    Vasiliy Rosen & Yona Chen

Authors
  1. Vasiliy Rosen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yona Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vasiliy Rosen.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 976 kb)

ESM 2

(XLSX 63 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rosen, V., Chen, Y. Effects of compost application on soil vulnerability to heavy metal pollution. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 35221–35231 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3394-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3394-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation