SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Basic Information
Additional Info

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Project No. and Title: NE1001 : Application of Sewage Biosolids to Agricultural Soils in the Northeast: Long-term Impacts and Benefit Uses
Period Covered: 07/01/2003 to 06/01/2004
Date of Report: 10/18/2004
Annual Meeting Dates: 07/08/2004 to 07/09/2004

Bowman, Dwight - Cornell, Microbiology and Immunology; Elliot, Chip - Penn State, Ag and Bio Engineering (July 8); Harrison, Ellen - Cornell, Waste Management Institute; Hay, Anthony - Cornell, Microbiology (July 8); Kim, Bojeong - Cornell, Environmental Toxicology; Liotta, Janice - Cornell, Microbiology and Immunology; Lucio Forster, Araceli - Cornell, Microbiology and Immunology; McBride, Murray - Cornell, Crop and Soil Sciences; Morant, Mervalin - USDA-CSREES, Natural Resources and Environment; Osher, Laurie - Univ of Maine, Soil and Water Quality; Peckenham, John - Univ of Maine, Mitchell Center; Pfeffer, Max - Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (July 8) (Acting as Admin. Advisor on behalf of D. Decker); Richards, Brian - Cornell, Bio and Env Engineering; Scherer, Emily - Cornell, Waste Management Institute; Steenhuis, Tammo - Cornell, Bio and Env Engineering; Stehouwer, Richard - Penn State, Dept of Agronomy (July 8); Wise, Abigail - Cornell, Microbiology (July 8); Zubris, Kimberly - Cornell, Bio and Env Engineering (July 8)

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

See http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/NERA/2004minutes.htm

Accomplishments

This project examines the application of sewage biosolids to agricultural soils in the northeastern US. Primary focus of this year's research was the presence, fate and transport of nutrients (with an emphasis on P) and contaminants (with an emphasis on copper, molybdenum and selected organic compounds of emerging concern). Research on fate and transport of P suggests a P management that should consider: a) soil test P interpretation based on environmental risk; b) source P solubility differences; c) P source phytoavailability differences; and d) buffer zone practices that mitigate P export. Research on fate and transport of Mo found cumulative loading of Mo is not relevant and pH is key to Mo availability. Research comparing soil testing methods shows most standard methods do not measure biologically important concentrations and point to need for revised methods. On national level, committee involved in developing and piloting methods for engaging stakeholders in sewage biosolids research. Plans for the coming year: 1. Develop recommendations regarding land application of sewage biosolids specific to the Northeast. 2. Produce a publication on testing of soils and sewage biosolids. 3. Become a coordinating committee to continue meeting in future years.

Impacts

Publications written based on committee`s work provide research-based information on availability of phosphorus from biosolids;
on relation of biosolids application to soil acidification and resultant leaching;
on assessment of environmental impacts of biosolids application on a dairy farm; and
on guidance for dairy farmers on land application.

Publications

Akhtar, M. Saleem, T.S. Steenhuis, B.K. Richards, and M.B. McBride. 2003. Chloride and Lithium Transport in Large Arrays of Undisturbed Silt Loam and Sandy Loam soil Columns. Vadose Zone Journal. 2:715-727. Harrison, Ellen, L. Telega, M. McBride, S. Bossard, L. Chase, D. Bouldin, and K. Czymmek. 2003. Considerations for Dairy Farms Regarding Use of Sewage Sludges, Sludge Products, and Septage. Cornell Waste Management Institute publication. McBride, Murray. 2003. Toxic Metals in Sewage Sludge-Amended Soils: Has Promotion of Beneficial use Discounted the Risks? Advances in Environmental Research. 8:5-19. Qureshi, Shabnam, B. Richards, A.G. Hay, C.C. Tsai, M.B. McBride, P. Baveye, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2003. Effect of Microbial Activity on Trace Element Release from Sewage Sludge. Environmental Science and Technology. 37:3361-3366. Qureshi, Shabnam, B. Richards, M.B. McBride, P. Baveye, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2003. Temperature and Microbial Activity Effects on Trace Element Leaching from Metalliferous Peats. Journal of Environmental Quality. 32:2067-2075. Richards, Brian, N. Peranginangin, T.S. Steenhuis, and L.D. Geohring. 2003. The unintentional secret. (Non-refereed feature article on preferential flow phenomena.) Journal of Soil & Water Conservation, September-October 2003. 59(5):104A-105A. Stehouwer, R.C. 2003. Soil Science Fundamentals: Part I. Soil formation and soil components. BioCycle: Journal of Composting and Recycling. 44(10):44-51. Stehouwer, R.C. 2003. Soil Science Fundamentals: Part II. Water and air essentials. BioCycle: Journal of Composting and Recycling. 44(11):30-32. Brandt, R.C., H.A. Elliott, and G.A. O`Connor. 2004. Water-Extractable Phosphorus in Biosolids: Implications for Land-Based Recycling. Water Environment Research. 76(2): 121-129. La Guardia, Mark, R. Hale, E. Harvey, E. Bush, T. Mainor, and M. Gaylor. 2004. Organic Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Land-Applied Sewage Sludge (Biosolids). Journal of Residuals Science & Technology. 1(2):111-122. McBride, Murray and J. Cherney. 2004. Molybdenum, Sulfur and Other Trace Elements in Farm Soils and Forages After Sewage Sludge Application. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 35:517-535. McBride, Murray, and B. Hale. 2004. Molybdenum Extractability in Soils and Uptake by Alfalfa 20 Years after Sewage Sludge Application. Soil Science. 169:505-514. McBride, Murray and B. Richards. Testing soils for trace metals from land-applied wastes. Working paper for NE1001. McBride, Murray, B.K. Richards, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2004. Bioavailability and Crop Uptake of Trace Elements in Soil Columns Amended with Sewage Sludge Products. Plant and Soil. 262:71-84. O`Connor, G.A., D. Sarkar, S.R. Brinton, H.A. Elliott, and F.G. Martin. 2004. Phytoavailability of Biosolids-Phosphorus. J. Environ. Qual. 33:703-712. Peckenham, John. 2004. Maine Biosolids Stockpiling Study Summary Report, August 2004. Prepared For Maine Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, Augusta. 50 p. Qureshi, Shabnam, B. Richards, T.S. Steenhuis, M.B. McBride, P. Baveye, and S. Dousset. 2004. Microbial acidification and pH effects on trace element release from sewage sludge. Environmental Pollution. 132(1):16-71. Richards, Brian, B.M. Schulte, A. Heilig, T.S. Steenhuis, M. McBride, and E. Harrison. 2004. Environmental impacts of applying manure, fertilizer, and sewage biosolids on a dairy farm. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. V. 40 p. 1025-1042. Stehouwer, R.C. 2004. Soil Science Fundamentals: Part III. Soil chemistry and the quality of soil humus. BioCycle: Journal of Composting and Recycling. 45(4):41-48. Stehouwer, R.C. 2004. Soil Science Fundamentals: Part IV. The biology of soils. BioCycle: Journal of Composting and Recycling. 45(6):46-52. Stehouwer, Richard and K.E. Macneal. 2004. Effect of alkaline stabilized biosolids on alfalfa molybdenum and copper content. J. Environ. Qual. 33:133-140.

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