Trace metal biomagnification in a soil-plant-arthropod system: A problem for the agricultural recycling of sewage sludge?

Authors: Green, I. and Jeffries, C.

Pages: 291-299

ISBN: 9780727732514

DOI: 10.1680/swm.32514.0030

Abstract:

The effect of crop type on the transfer of Cd and Zn from sewage sludge amended soil in the soil-plant-aphid-system was investigated. The subsequent transfer of the two metals from aphids to green lacewing larvae was also determined. Soil Cd and Zn concentrations were significantly elevated by sludge amendment, but were within the current UK limits. Transfer from the soil did not result in significant accumulation of Cd in wheat and barley shoots or aphids. However, Cd concentrations were significantly higher in both wheat shoots and the aphids feeding on them. In contrast, Zn was significantly accumulated in wheat, barley and aphids. Concentrations in the wheat shoots and the aphids feeding on them were again significantly higher. Transfer of Cd from aphids to the lacewing larvae resulted in the highest concentrations in the system. Zinc concentrations in the larvae were close to the concentrations in the aphids on which they were feeding. For both metals, concentrations in the lacewings were not significantly effected by sewage sludge amendment. Results are discussed in relation to possible risks to predatory arthropods posed by the transfer of Cd and Zn from the re-cycling of sewage sludge to agroecosystems.

Source: Scopus

Trace Metal Biomagnification in a Soil-Plant-Arthropod System: a Problem for the Agricultural Recycling of Sewage Sludge?

Authors: Green, I.D. and Jeffries, C.

Editors: Dhir, R.K., Newlands, M.D. and Dyer, T.D.

Pages: 291-300

Publisher: Thomas Telford

Place of Publication: London

Abstract:

The effect of crop type on the transfer of Cd and Zn from sewage sludge amended soil in the soil-plant-aphid-system was investigated. The subsequent transfer of the two metals from aphids to green lacewing larvae was also determined. Soil Cd and Zn concentrations were significantly elevated by sludge amendment, but were within the current UK limits. Transfer from the soil did not result in significant accumulation of Cd in wheat and barley shoots or aphids. However, Cd concentrations were significantly higher in both wheat shoots and the aphids feeding on them. In contrast, Zn was significantly accumulated in wheat, barley and aphids. Concentrations in the wheat shoots and the aphids feeding on them were again significantly higher. Transfer of Cd from aphids to the lacewing larvae resulted in the highest concentrations in the system. Zinc concentrations in the larvae were close to the concentrations in the aphids on which they were feeding. For both metals, concentrations in the lacewings were not significantly effected by sewage sludge amendment. Results are discussed in relation to possible risks to predatory arthropods posed by the transfer of Cd and Zn from the re-cycling of sewage sludge to agroecosystems.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Iain Green