Studying the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil as a result of multi-year application of municipal waste compost using modeling

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran

2 Department of Soil Reclamation and Sustainable Land, Soil and Water Research Institute; Karaj, Iran

3 Department of Irrigation, Soil and Water Research Institute; Karaj, Iran

4 Department of Soil Reclamation and Sustainable Land, Soil and Water Research Institute; Karaj, Iran.

5 Department of Soil Science; Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran; Karaj, Iran

Abstract

 
The entry of heavy metals into the soil through fertilization is one of the most important challenges of agriculture. The present study was conducted to investigate the accumulation of some heavy metals in plots treated with different levels of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) for 4 years at the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2021. The studied treatments were T1: control (application of NPK based on soil testing); T2: 20 tons/ha MSWC every two years + T1; T3: annual application of 20 tons/ha MSWC + nitrogen chemical fertilizer; T4: annual application of 20 tons/ha of MSWC; T5: application of 20 tons/ha MSWC every two years + T1 + application of plant growth biological stimulants. Based on the concentration of the studied metals in the soil, their status was checked using HYDRUS-1D and MACRO models. The estimation results of the models at the depth of 0-45 cm of the soil showed that the most problematic treatment was the T3 treatment. So its application after 50 years will result in the highest accumulation of heavy elements. Therefore, to take advantage of the significant potential of MSWC in increasing the yield and also reducing the risk of heavy metals entering the food chain as a result of using MSWC as fertilizer, it is suggested that after the quality control of the MSWC used, regarding the content of heavy metals, its application is proportional to the plant's nutritional needs and soil characteristics.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Studying the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil as a result of multi-year application of municipal waste compost using modeling

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

 

Introduction:

The entry of potentially toxic elements into the soil ecosystem through the type of fertilization management and finally the entry of these metals into the food chain is one of the most important challenges of agriculture.

Objective:

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the accumulation of some heavy metals in plots treated with different levels of municipal solid waste compost for 4 years in at the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2021.

Materials and methods:

The studied treatments include T1: control (use of NPK chemical fertilizers based on soil test); T2: 20 tons of municipal waste compost (MSWC) every two years + 75% nitrogen fertilizer and 50% phosphorus and potassium recommended based on soil test; T3 : annual application of 20 tons per hectare MSWC + 75% nitrogen chemical fertilizer recommended based on soil test; T4: annual application of 20 tons of MSWC per hectare (10 tons in the first year and 10 tons in the second year); T5: application of 20 tons per hectare of MSWC every two years + application of 75% nitrogen chemical fertilizer and 50% phosphorus and potassium was recommended based on soil test + application of plant growth biological stimulants. After harvesting the second crop (maize silage), some soil samples were taken from the depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm of the soil and the concentration of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc) were measured. Based on the concentration of the studied metals in the soil, their accumulation status was checked using HYDRUS-1D and MACRO models. Results and discussion: The estimation results of the models of the status of accumulation of the metals at the depth of 0-45 cm of the soil showed that the most problematic treatment was the T3 treatment.So that its application after 50 years will result in the highest accumulation of total zinc, total cadmium, total lead, total nickel, and total copper in the soil depth of 0-45 cm.As a result of the application of T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatments, total zinc concentration after 50 years, total lead after 27, 9, 40 and 27 years respectively, total nickel after 23, 12, 23 and 23 years respectively, and after 32 years' application of T3 treatment at the depth of 0-45 cm, the concentration of total copper of the soil accumulates more than the critical limit approved by the Iranian Department of Environment.Although the four-year application of different levels of MSWC affected the status of accumulation of the studied metals in the soil, the accumulated amounts did not pose a risk in terms of creating soil pollution.Only in case of long-term application of MSWC (for example, at least nine years in terms of the accumulation of lead in the soil), we can expect soil pollution.

Conclusion:

Therefore, in order to take advantage of the significant potential of MSWC in increasing product yield and also reducing the risk of heavy metals entering the food chain as a result of using MSWC as fertilizer, it is suggested that after the quality control of the MSWC used, regarding the content of heavy metals, its consumption is proportional to the plant's nutritional needs and soil characteristics, and it should preferably be consumed in combination with chemical fertilizers.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 55, Issue 6
September 2024
Pages 847-867

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