The production of organic wastes is an increasing phenomenon worldwide, while soils are witnessing a progressive reduction of their organic content. The new concern regarding the productivity and sustainability of agro-ecosystems leads to the formulation of a new approach to soil management, which stresses the recycling in soil of waste organic matter. The utilisation of waste organic matter as soil conditioners is meeting with difficulties because of the very particular nature of these wastes. Sewage sludge and related products could in fact be harmful for the environment and human health because of their content of xenobiotic compounds and microbial pathogens. Such hazards can be eliminated, or at least decreased to a very low level, through sanitation treatments and through a better knowledge of the fate of chemical pollutants in soil. The beneficial effects of sewage sludge and sludge compost on the physical soil structure and microbial biomass are summarised together with the possible negative role played by these wastes when heavily contaminated by xenobiotic compounds.
The effect of sewage sludge and sludge compost on soil microflora.
DUMONTET, STEFANO;
1997-01-01
Abstract
The production of organic wastes is an increasing phenomenon worldwide, while soils are witnessing a progressive reduction of their organic content. The new concern regarding the productivity and sustainability of agro-ecosystems leads to the formulation of a new approach to soil management, which stresses the recycling in soil of waste organic matter. The utilisation of waste organic matter as soil conditioners is meeting with difficulties because of the very particular nature of these wastes. Sewage sludge and related products could in fact be harmful for the environment and human health because of their content of xenobiotic compounds and microbial pathogens. Such hazards can be eliminated, or at least decreased to a very low level, through sanitation treatments and through a better knowledge of the fate of chemical pollutants in soil. The beneficial effects of sewage sludge and sludge compost on the physical soil structure and microbial biomass are summarised together with the possible negative role played by these wastes when heavily contaminated by xenobiotic compounds.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
