The Usefulness of Ozone-Stabilized Municipal Sewage Sludge for Fertilization of Maize ( Zea mays L.)

Małgorzata Szostek, Patryk Kosowski, Ewa Szpunar-Krok, Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek, Natalia Matłok, Karol Skrobacz, Rafał Pieniążek and Maciej Balawejder
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Małgorzata Szostek: Department of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry and Hydrology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 8b, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Patryk Kosowski: Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1A, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Ewa Szpunar-Krok: Department of Plant Production, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek: Department of Plant Production, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Natalia Matłok: Department of Food and Agriculture Production Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Karol Skrobacz: Department of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry and Hydrology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 8b, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Rafał Pieniążek: Department of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry and Hydrology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 8b, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Maciej Balawejder: Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1A, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: Sewage sludge generated in the wastewater treatment process is a waste material and a serious environmental nuisance. Due to its specific properties, the management and final disposal of sewage sludge is a considerable problem also in Poland. Ozonation of sewage sludge is the most commonly used process based on the use of oxidizing agents for stabilization of the waste. This process results in substantial reduction of the sludge volume and simultaneous production of small amounts of toxic by-products. Despite the effectiveness of ozone in sanitation and reduction of sludge amounts and in improvement of many parameters, still little is known about the use of ozonated sewage sludge for agricultural purposes, e.g., fertilization of arable crops. Therefore, the present study was an attempt to evaluate the effect of ozone-stabilized sewage sludge on maize development in initial stages of growth in pot experiment conditions. We analyzed the effect of ozone-stabilized sewage sludge in soil on dry matter yields of aboveground parts of maize. We also conducted physiological measurements of chlorophyll content, fluorescence, and exchange. Additionally, the content of macro- and microelements and toxic heavy metals in aboveground maize biomass was determined. The ozone-stabilized sewage sludge exerted a positive impact on all maize parameters in the initial stage of growth. Compared to the control, plants fertilized with this type of sludge were characterized by a 50% higher yield of aboveground biomass and over 80% higher content of chlorophyll. Furthermore, the content of most macro- and microelements in the aboveground biomass was generally higher in plants fertilized with the ozonated sludge than in plants from the other experimental variants. The chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange parameters in plants fertilized with ozonated sludge were improved. No excessive accumulation of Pb and Cd was detected. The present results have confirmed that ozone-stabilized sewage sludge can be used for cultivation of agricultural plants, as it improves utilization of deposited nutrients. The improved bioavailability of nutrients was associated with ozonation-induced initial degradation of organic matter and release of deposited plant nutrients.

Keywords: maize; municipal sewage sludge; sewage sludge stabilization; ozonation process; gas exchange; relative chlorophyll content; chlorophyll fluorescence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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