Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings
The proposal to use sewage sludge (SS) on agricultural fields as a sustainable way to dispose of the waste is based on its high organic and nutrients content. However, the presence of heavy metals (HMs) in sludge can contaminate crops and accumulate in the food chain. The aim of this study was to as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
2016-12-01
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| Series: | Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://revistas.inia.es/index.php/sjar/article/view/9210 |
| _version_ | 1827165706736631808 |
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| author | Nada Elloumi Dalel Belhaj Boutheina Jerbi Mohamed Zouari Monem Kallel |
| author_facet | Nada Elloumi Dalel Belhaj Boutheina Jerbi Mohamed Zouari Monem Kallel |
| author_sort | Nada Elloumi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The proposal to use sewage sludge (SS) on agricultural fields as a sustainable way to dispose of the waste is based on its high organic and nutrients content. However, the presence of heavy metals (HMs) in sludge can contaminate crops and accumulate in the food chain. The aim of this study was to assess changes in soil fertility, biochemical responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Rio Grande) seedlings and the availability of HMs with increased rate application of SS (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5%). Leaf chlorophyll content, nutritional status, proline, membrane peroxidation, stomatal conductance and HM accumulation were investigated. Results showed that the soil pH decreased, whereas soil salinity, organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable Na, Ca, K and HM content increased significantly with increasing application rates of SS. Among the three HMs (Zn, Cu and Cr), Zn had the highest capacity for transferring from soil into plants. Low metal translocation was observed from roots to leaves. The 7.5% SS dose decreased biomass production and caused a decline in chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. However, lipid peroxidation and proline contents increased. Therefore, the use of 2.5 and 5% doses of sewage sludge in agriculture would be an efficient and cost-effective method to restore the fertility of soil and an environment-friendly solution for disposal problems. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-21T01:36:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-401d3fa2a68e496ba5b193c5e0461ce6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2171-9292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-21T01:36:46Z |
| publishDate | 2016-12-01 |
| publisher | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-401d3fa2a68e496ba5b193c5e0461ce62024-08-03T00:19:33ZengConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research2171-92922016-12-01144e0807e080710.5424/sjar/2016144-92102453Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlingsNada Elloumi0Dalel Belhaj1Boutheina Jerbi2Mohamed Zouari3Monem Kallel4Sfax University, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax. Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment. BP 261 Sfax 3000Sfax University. National Engineering School of Sfax. Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment. BP 1173 Sfax 3038Sfax University. National Engineering School of Sfax. Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment. BP 1173 Sfax 3038University of Limoges. Faculty of Pharmacy. Laboratory of Botany and Cryptogamy. GRESE EA 4330, 2 rue du Docteur Marcland, F-87025 LimogesSfax University. National Engineering School of Sfax. Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment. BP 1173 Sfax 3038The proposal to use sewage sludge (SS) on agricultural fields as a sustainable way to dispose of the waste is based on its high organic and nutrients content. However, the presence of heavy metals (HMs) in sludge can contaminate crops and accumulate in the food chain. The aim of this study was to assess changes in soil fertility, biochemical responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Rio Grande) seedlings and the availability of HMs with increased rate application of SS (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5%). Leaf chlorophyll content, nutritional status, proline, membrane peroxidation, stomatal conductance and HM accumulation were investigated. Results showed that the soil pH decreased, whereas soil salinity, organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable Na, Ca, K and HM content increased significantly with increasing application rates of SS. Among the three HMs (Zn, Cu and Cr), Zn had the highest capacity for transferring from soil into plants. Low metal translocation was observed from roots to leaves. The 7.5% SS dose decreased biomass production and caused a decline in chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. However, lipid peroxidation and proline contents increased. Therefore, the use of 2.5 and 5% doses of sewage sludge in agriculture would be an efficient and cost-effective method to restore the fertility of soil and an environment-friendly solution for disposal problems.http://revistas.inia.es/index.php/sjar/article/view/9210sewage sludge amendmentsoil fertilitybiochemical responsesSolanum lycopersicum |
| spellingShingle | Nada Elloumi Dalel Belhaj Boutheina Jerbi Mohamed Zouari Monem Kallel Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research sewage sludge amendment soil fertility biochemical responses Solanum lycopersicum |
| title | Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings |
| title_full | Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings |
| title_fullStr | Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings |
| title_short | Effects of sewage sludge on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings |
| title_sort | effects of sewage sludge on bio accumulation of heavy metals in tomato seedlings |
| topic | sewage sludge amendment soil fertility biochemical responses Solanum lycopersicum |
| url | http://revistas.inia.es/index.php/sjar/article/view/9210 |
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