Soil - Soil contamination

Title

European Soil Data Centre: Response to European policy support and public data requirements

Reference

Land Use Policy
Volume 29, Issue 2, April 2012, Pages 329-338

Author(s)

Panos Panagos, , Marc Van Liedekerke, Arwyn Jones, Luca Montanarella

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In the context of the European Union's Soil Thematic Strategy, policy makers require easy access to soil data and information of various types and scales to assess the state of soils at European level. To satisfy this need, the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) decided to establish the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), located at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.
The ESDAC is one of ten environmental data centres that have been established during the last 4 years in support of policy development, implementation and monitoring by the European Commission's Directorate General for Environment. The ESDAC, located at http://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu, has become the focal point for soil data and information at European Union level by hosting a series of soil products and web-based tools that allow access to the data. The ESDAC acts as the primary data contact point for the Commission and EEA to fulfill their information needs. The establishment and the evaluation of harmonised databases should facilitate improved soil protection measures.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Environmental data resources

Soil >> Soil biodiversity
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil erosion
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil sealing

Keywords

Soil data; Soil policy; Data centre; ESDAC

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837711000718
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panos.panagos@jrc.eu.europa

Title

Acute and reproductive toxicity of nano-sized metal oxides (ZnO and TiO2) to earthworms (Eisenia fetida)

Reference

J. Environ. Monit., 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1EM10497G

Author(s)

Jaclyn E. Cañas, Beibei Qi, Shibin Li, Jonathan D. Maul, Stephen B. Cox, Sriya Das and Micah J. Green

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

An increase in nanomaterial applications will likely lead to an increased probability of environmental exposures, raising concerns regarding the safety of these materials. Recent studies have indicated that manufactured nanomaterials, such as metal oxides, have the potential to be harmful to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The majority of nano-metal oxide research addressing potential toxicological issues has been focused in aquatic environments with very little terrestrial data. This study characterized the acute and reproductive toxicity of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in a terrestrial system. Following a 14 d exposure, nano-sized ZnO on filter paper was acutely toxic to E. fetida, while nano-sized TiO2 did not exhibit acute toxicity. In contrast, neither nano-sized ZnO nor TiO2 exhibited acute toxicity to earthworms in sand. Both nano-sized ZnO and TiO2, following a 4 week exposure, caused reproductive effects in earthworms in artificial soil. Overall, nano-sized ZnO exhibited greater toxicity than nano-sized TiO2 in Eisenia fetida.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Nanomaterials
Chemicals >> Impacts >> Ecosystem impacts
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2011/em/c1em10497g
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jaclyn.canas@tiehh.ttu.edu

Title

Reduced European emissions of S and N – Effects on air concentrations, deposition and soil water chemistry in Swedish forests

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 3571-3582

Author(s)

Gunilla Pihl Karlsson, Cecilia Akselsson, Sofie Hellsten, Per Erik Karlsson

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Changes in sulphur and nitrogen pollution in Swedish forests have been assessed in relation to European emission reductions, based on measurements in the Swedish Throughfall Monitoring Network. Measurements were analysed over 20 years with a focus on the 12-year period 1996 to 2008. Air concentrations of SO2 and NO2, have decreased. The SO4-deposition has decreased in parallel with the European emission reductions. Soil water SO4-concentrations have decreased at most sites but the pH, ANC and inorganic Al-concentrations indicated acidification recovery only at some of the sites. No changes in the bulk deposition of inorganic nitrogen could be demonstrated. Elevated NO3-concentrations in the soil water occurred at irregular occasions at some southern sites. Despite considerable air pollution emission reductions in Europe, acidification recovery in Swedish forests soils is slow. Nitrogen deposition to Swedish forests continues at elevated levels that may lead to leaching of nitrate to surface waters.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Industrial emissions
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Acidification; Nitrogen leaching; Recovery; Forest; Swedish Throughfall Monitoring Network (SWETHRO)

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111004374
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Gunilla.pihl.karlsson@ivl.se

Title

Bioelectrochemical stimulation of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in saline soil using U-tube microbial fuel cells

Reference

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI: 10.1002/bit.23351

Author(s)

Xin Wang, Zhang Cai, Qixing Zhou, Zhineng Zhang, Cuihong Chen

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Bioremediation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to decontaminate soils polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons. However, this technique usually requires a long time due to the slow degradation rate by bacteria. By applying U-tube microbial fuel cells (MFCs) designed here, the degradation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons close to the anode (<1cm) was enhanced by 120% from 6.9±2.5% to 15.2±0.6% with simultaneous 125±7 C of charge output (0.85±0.05 mW/m², 1 kΩ) in the tested period (25 days). Hydrocarbon fingerprint analysis showed that the degradation rate of both alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was accelerated. The decrease of initial water content from 33% to 28% and 23% resulted in a decrease on charge output and hydrocarbon degradation rate, which could be attributed to the increase of internal resistance. A salt accumulation was observed in each reactor due to the evaporation of water from the air-cathode, possibly inhibited the activity of exoelectrogenic bacteria (EB) and resulted in the elimination of the current at the end of the tested period. The number of hydrocarbon degradation bacteria (HDB) in soil close to the anode increased by nearly two orders of magnitude in the MFC assisted system (373±56×10³ CFU/g-soil) than that in the disconnected control (8±2×10³ CFU/g-oil), providing a solid evidence for in situ biostimulation of HDB growth by colonization of EB in the same system.

Policy theme(s)

petroleum hydrocarbon; biostimulation; microbial fuel cells (MFCs); saline soil; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Keywords

Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bit.23351/abstract
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zhouqx@nankai.edu.cn

Title

Toxicity to Eisenia andrei and Folsomia candida of a metal mixture applied to soil directly or via an organic matrix

Reference

 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume 74, Issue 6, September 2011, Pages 1715-1720

Author(s)

T. Natal-da-Luz, G. Ojeda, J. Pratas, C.A.M. Van Gestel, J.P. Sousa

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Regulatory limits for chemicals and ecological risk assessment are usually based on the effects of single compounds, not taking into account mixture effects. The ecotoxicity of metal-contaminated sludge may, however, not only be due to its metal content. Both the sludge matrix and the presence of other toxicants may mitigate or promote metal toxicity. To test this assumption, the toxicity of soils recently amended with an industrial sludge predominantly contaminated with chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc and soils freshly spiked with the same mixture of metals was evaluated through earthworm (Eisenia andrei) and collembolan (Folsomia candida) reproduction tests. The sludge was less toxic than the spiked metal mixture for E. andrei but more toxic for F. candida. Results obtained for the earthworms suggest a decrease in metal bioavailability promoted by the high organic matter content of the sludge. The higher toxicity of the sludge for F. candida was probably due to the additive toxic effect of other pollutants.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Mixture toxicity
Soil >> Soil biodiversity
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Toxic units; Joint effect; Metal-contaminated sludge; Mixture toxicity

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014765131100162X
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tiagonluz@iav.uc.pt

Title

Has the Burden and Distribution of PCBs and PBDEs Changed in European Background Soils between 1998 and 2008? Implications for Sources and Processes

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technol., 2011, 45 (17), pp 7291–7297

Author(s)

Jasmin K. Schuster, Rosalinda Gioia, Claudia Moeckel, Tripti Agarwal, Thomas D. Bucheli, Knut Breivik, Eiliv Steinnes, and Kevin C. Jones

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background soils were collected from 70 locations on a latitudinal transect in the United Kingdom and Norway in 2008, ten years after they had first been sampled in 1998. The soils were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCs), to see whether there had been any change in the loadings or distributions of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The same transect has also been used to sample air between the mid-1990s and the present, so the air and soil spatial and temporal trends provide information on air-soil transfers, source-receptor relationships, long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), and recycling phenomena. Comparisons of the 2008 and 1998 data sets show a general decline for PBDEs in surface soil, and a smaller averaged net decline of PCBs. Changes between the years were observed for total POP concentrations in soil and also for correlations with site and sample characteristics assumed to affect those concentrations. POP concentrations were correlated to distance and strength of possible sources, a relationship that became weaker in the 2008 data. Fractionation, a commonly discussed process for the global cycling of POPs was also lost in the 2008 data. As in 1998, soil organic matter content continues to have a strong influence on the loadings of POPs in surface soils, but changes in the PCB loads were noted. These factors indicate an approach to air-surface soil equilibrium and a lessening of the influence of primary sources on POP concentrations in soil between 1998 and 2008.

Policy theme(s)

Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es200961p
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j.schuster1@lancaster.ac.uk

Title

Modelling the extraction of soil contaminants with supercritical carbon dioxide

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issue 7, July 2011, Pages 1802-1809

Author(s)

M.N. Baig , G.A. Leeke, P.J. Hammond and R.C.D. Santos

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Extractions of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in contaminated soil from petroleum site were performed with supercritical carbon dioxide at different temperatures, pressures, extraction times, solvent flow rates, soil moisture contents and soil acidity. Three soil systems were investigated in order to compare the best parameters for extraction. A central composite rotatable design has been used to evaluate the influence of operation conditions on the extraction efficiency to generate model equations representing the types of soil. The results indicate that at least 70-80% of the initial amount of VOC's can be removed at moderate temperatures even at very high moisture content. Supercritical extraction is best suited to silt type soils which have a low adsorption capacity. VOC's recoveries from the artificial contaminated soil samples were higher in comparison with real contaminated soils. At moderate temperatures, the extraction efficiency for real soils is low because pollutants bind strongly to the soil.

Policy theme(s)

Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Supercritical CO₂, Extraction, Contaminated soil, Response surface modelling

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974911100193X
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m.n.baig@bham.ac.uk

Title

Applying sustainable development principles to contaminated land management using the SuRF-UK framework

Reference

Remediation Journal
Volume 21, Issue 2, pages 77-100, Spring 2011
DOI: 10.1002/rem.20283

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In the past decade, management of historically contaminated land has largely been based on prevention of unacceptable risks to human health and the environment, to ensure a site is “fit for use.” More recently, interest has been shown in including sustainability as a decision-making criterion. Sustainability concerns include the environmental, social, and economic consequences of risk management activities themselves, and also the opportunities for wider benefit beyond achievement of risk-reduction goals alone. In the United Kingdom, this interest has led to the formation of a multistakeholder initiative, the UK Sustainable Remediation Forum (SuRF-UK). This article presents a framework for assessing “sustainable remediation”; describes how it links with the relevant regulatory guidance; reviews the factors considered in sustainability; and looks at the appraisal tools that have been applied to evaluate the wider benefits and impacts of land remediation. The article also describes how the framework relates to recent international developments, including emerging European Union legislation and policy. A large part of this debate has taken place in the “grey” literature, which we review. It is proposed that a practical approach to integrating sustainability within risk-based contaminated land management offers the possibility of a substantial step forward for the remediation industry, and a new opportunity for international consensus

Policy theme(s)

Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable business and industry

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rem.20283/abstract
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paul@r3environmental.co.uk

Title

Reference

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy
Volume 13, Number 2, 241-268, DOI: 10.1007/s10098-010-0319-z

Author(s)

Florentina Anca Caliman, Brindusa Mihaela Robu, Camelia Smaranda, Vasile Lucian Pavel and Maria Gavrilescu

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Abstract Contaminated soil and groundwater have been the subject of study and research, so that the field of remediation has grown and evolved, continually developing and adopting new technologies in attempts to improve the decontamination. The cleanup of environmental pollution involves a variety of techniques, ranging from simple biological processes to advanced engineering technologies. Cleanup activities may also address a wide range of contaminants. This article is a short analysis of the technologies for cleaning up groundwater and soil, highlighting knowledge and information gaps. Challenges and strategies for cleaning up different types of contaminants, mainly heavy metals and persistent organic compounds are described. Included are technologies that treat ground water contaminants in place in the subsurface and soil technologies that treat the soil either in place or on site in a treatment unit. Emerging technologies such as those based on oxidation–reduction, bioremediation, and nanotechnologies are covered. It is evident that for a good efficiency of remediation, techniques or even whole new technologies may be incorporated into an existing technology as a treatment train, improving its performance or overcome limitations. Several economic and decision-making elements are developed in the final part, based on the analysis carried out throughout the article. The work highlights the fact that excellence in research and technology progress could be attained by the development of technologies to deal more effectively and economically with certain toxic contaminants such as heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and persistent organic pollutants, associated with optimization of technologies under field remediation conditions and requirements, improving capacity and yields, and reducing costs. Moreover, increasing knowledge of the scope and problem of equipment development could improve the benefits.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies>> Pollution control>> Water treatment
Soil>> Threats to soil>>Soil contamination
Water>> Water quality>>Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Heavy metals, Nanotechnology, Persistent, Organic pollutants, Pollution, Remediation

Entry Source:

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/h78m734413767303/
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mgav@ch.tuiasi.ro

Title

Reference

J. Environ. Monit., 2011, 13, 822-828
DOI: 10.1039/C0EM00611D

Author(s)

Wenchao Du, Yuanyuan Sun, Rong Ji, Jianguo Zhu, Jichun Wu and Hongyan Guo

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The properties of nanoparticles and their increased use have raised concerns about their possible harmful effects within the environment. Most studies on their effects have been in aqueous systems. Here we investigated the effect of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles on wheat growth and soil enzyme activities under field conditions. Both of the nanoparticles reduced the biomass of wheat. The TiO2 nanoparticles were retained in the soil for long periods and primarily adhered to cell walls of wheat. The ZnO nanoparticles dissolved in the soil, thereby enhancing the uptake of toxic Zn by wheat. The nanoparticles also induced significant changes in soil enzyme activities, which are bioindicators of soil quality and health. Soil protease, catalase, and peroxidase activities were inhibited in the presence of the nanoparticles; urease activity was unaffected. The nanoparticles themselves or their dissolved ions were clearly toxic for the soil ecosystem.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Nanomaterials
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Soil management
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/EM/c0em00611d
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hyguo@nju.edu.cn

Title

Biochar mediated alterations in herbicide breakdown and leaching in soil

Reference

Author(s)

D.L. Jones, G. Edwards-Jones and D.V. Murphy

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Biochar application to soil has been proposed as a mechanism for improving soil quality and the long term sequestration of carbon. The implications of biochar on pesticide behavior, particularly in the longer term, however, remains poorly understood. Here we evaluated the influence of biochar type, time after incorporation into soil, dose rate and particle size on the sorption, biodegradation and leaching of the herbicide simazine. We show that typical agronomic application rates of biochar (10-100 t ha-1) led to alterations in soil water herbicide concentrations, availability, transport and spatial heterogeneity. Overall, biochar suppressed simazine biodegradation and reduced simazine leaching. These responses were induced by a rapid and strong sorption of simazine to the biochar which limits its availability to microbial communities. Spatial imaging of 14C-labeled simazine revealed concentrated hotpsots of herbicide co-localized with biochar in the soil profile. The rate of simazine mineralization, amount of sorption and leaching was inversely correlated with biochar particle size. Biochar aged in the field for 2 years had the same effect as fresh biochar on the sorption and mineralization of simazine, suggesting that the effects of biochar on herbicide behavior may be long lasting. We conclude that biochar application to soil will reduce the dissipation of foliar applied pesticides decreasing the risk of environmental contamination and human exposure via transfer in the food chain, but may affect the efficacy of soil-applied herbicides.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Soil management
Agriculture>>Agricultural pollution>>Pesticide pollution
Soil>>Threats to soil>>Soil contamination

Keywords

Black carbon, Charcoal, Pollutant flow, Triazine, Xenobiotic

Entry Source:

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038071710004840
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d.jones@bangor.ac.uk

Title

Land application of organic waste - Effects on the soil ecosystem

Reference

Applied Energy
Volume 88, Issue 6, June 2011, Pages 2210-2218

Author(s)

M. Odlare, V. Arthurso, M. Pell, K. Svensson, E. Nehrenheim and J. Abubaker

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Growing populations and the increasing use of existing resources has led to growth in organic waste emissions. Therefore, a sustainable approach to managing this waste has become a major concern in densely populated areas. Biological treatment is an efficient method for reducing the amount of organic waste, and for producing energy. A large number of biogas plants and compost facilities that use organic waste as a substrate for electricity and fuel production are being built around the world. The biological treatment process in these plants produces large amounts of organic waste, and there is therefore a growing need to find a sustainable use for this material. Organic waste, such as biogas residues and compost can be a valuable fertilizer for agricultural soils. They can serve as a source of plant nutrients and can also improve soil structure and water holding capacity. However, as organic residues are known to contain both heavy metals and organic contaminants there is a need for long term field experiments to ensure that soil and plant quality is maintained. In order to investigate the potential risks and benefits of using organic waste in agriculture, an 8 year field experiment was established in central Sweden. Under realistic conditions, compost and biogas residues from source-separated household waste were compared with traditional mineral fertilizer. We examined crop yield and soil chemical and microbiological properties. The main conclusion from the field experiment was that biogas residues resulted in crop yields almost as high as the mineral fertilizer NPS. In addition, several important soil microbiological properties, such as substrate induced respiration, potential ammonium oxidation and nitrogen mineralization were improved after application of both biogas residues and compost. Moreover, no negative effects could be detected from using either of the organic wastes. In particular the genetic structure of the soil bacterial community appeared to resist changes caused by addition of organic waste.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Soil management
Soil >> Soil biodiversity
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Microbial soil properties, Organic waste, Soil fertility, Soil properties

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261910005635
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monica.odlare@mdh.se

Title

Assessing the fate of antibiotic contaminants in metal contaminated soils four years after cessation of long-term waste water irrigation

Reference

Science of The Total Environment
Volume 409, Issue 3, 1 January 2011, Pages 540-547

Author(s)

Fatima Tamtam, Folkert van Oort, Barbara Le Bot, Tuc Dinh, Sophie Mompelat, Marc Chevreuil, Isabelle Lamy and Médard Thiry

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Spreading of urban wastewater on agricultural land may lead to concomitant input of organic and inorganic pollutants. Such multiple pollution sites offer unique opportunities to study the fate of both heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. We examined the occurrence and fate of selected antibiotics in sandy-textured soils, sampled four years after cessation of 100 years irrigation with urban wastewater from the Paris agglomeration. Previous studies on heavy metal contamination of these soils guided our sampling strategy. Six antibiotics were studied, including quinolones, with a strong affinity for organic and mineral soil components, and sulfonamides, a group of more mobile molecules. Bulk samples were collected from surface horizons in different irrigation fields, but also in subsurface horizons in two selected profiles. In surface horizons, three quinolones (oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine) were present in eight samples out of nine. Their contents varied spatially, but were well-correlated one to another. Their distributions showed great similarities regarding spatial distribution of total organic carbon and heavy metal contents, consistent with a common origin by wastewater irrigation. Highest concentrations were observed for sampling sites close to irrigation water outlets, reaching 22 µg kg-1 for nalidixic acid. Within soil profiles, the two antibiotic groups demonstrated an opposite behavior: quinolones, found only in surface horizons; sulfamethoxazole, detected in clay-rich subsurface horizons, concomitant with Zn accumulation. Such distribution patterns are consistent with chemical adsorption properties of the two antibiotic groups: immobilization of quinolones in the surface horizons ascribed to strong affinity for organic matter (OM), migration of sulfamethoxazole due to a lower affinity for OM and its interception and retention in electronegative charged clay-rich horizons. Our work suggests that antibiotics may represent a durable contamination of soils, and risks for groundwater contamination, depending on the physicochemical characteristics both of the organic molecules and of soil constituents.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Soil management
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Wastewater, Quinolones, Sulfonamides, Sandy soils, Distribution, Accumulation, Migration

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969710011186
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fatima.tamtam@upmc.fr

Title

Comparative environmental impacts of glyphosate and conventional herbicides when used with glyphosate-tolerant and non-tolerant crops

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 158, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 3172-3178

Author(s)

Laure Mamy, Benoît Gabrielle and Enrique Barriuso

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The introduction of glyphosate-tolerant (GT)cropsis expected to mitigate the environmental contamination by herbicides because glyphosate is less persistent and toxic than the herbicides used on non-GTcrops. Here, we compared the environmental balances of herbicide applications for bothcroptypes in three French field trials. The dynamic of herbicides and their metabolites in soil, groundwater and air was simulated with PRZM model and compared to field measurements. The associated impacts were aggregated with toxicity potentials calculated with the fate and exposure model USES for several environmental endpoints. The impacts of GT systems were lower than those of non-GT systems, but the accumulation in soils of one glyphosate metabolite (aminomethylphosphonic acid) questions the sustainability of GT systems. The magnitude of the impacts depends on the rates and frequency of glyphosate application being highest for GT maize monoculture and lowest for combination of GT oilseed rape and non-GT sugarbeet crops.
The impacts of herbicide applications on glyphosate-tolerantcropscould be higher than expected due to the accumulation of a metabolite of glyphosate in soils.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Crop management
Biotechnology >> GMOs
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Herbicide, Metabolite, Impact, PRZM, USES

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974911000271X
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laure.mamy@versailles.inra.fr