Guidelines for the safe reuse of metal-containing wastes on land
Summary
This project is part of the National Biosolids Research Program (NBRP), which is aimed at understanding the benefits and risks of applying biosolids and other urban wastes to agricultural land. The project at CROA examines the bioavailability of Cu, Zn and Cd in metal salts and biosolids, and measures their effect on plant growth, soil microbes and soil macrofauna.
To date, yields have generally increased with increasing rates of biosolids addition, although this increase differed between the two sites at CROA. Both plant growth and soil microbes have proven to be sensitive indicators of excessive soil Cu and Zn. The outcomes of the project will be used to inform state and national guidelines on reusing metal-containing wastes on land. As a second component to the study an evaluation of the benefits and risks from lime amended biosolids was also carried out. This project is related to the project above, although it has examined the effects of lime amended biosolids instead of dewatered biosolids.
Duration
2002 -2008
Funding body
NSW Environmental Trust
Collaborating organisations
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Project Leader
Mark Whatmuff
Hawkesbury District Office