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Sewage sludge as a source of environmental selenium
1Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642.
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Land application of municipal sewage sludge increases selenium in soil, crops, and diets. While immediate health risks are low, long-term impacts require careful management and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Agricultural Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Municipal sewage sludge can contain significant amounts of selenium.
- Land application of sludge is a common waste management practice.
- Selenium is an essential micronutrient but can be toxic at higher concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of municipal sewage sludge land application on selenium levels and speciation in soil, groundwater, and crops.
- To evaluate selenium uptake by crops from sludge-amended soils and compare it to fly ash application.
- To quantify the effect of sludge on human and animal dietary selenium intake and review sludge application guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Documentation of selenium sources and concentrations in sludge.
- Greenhouse and field studies on crop selenium uptake from amended soils.
- Quantitative evaluation of dietary selenium intake and review of application guidelines.
Main Results:
- Sludge application increases soil and crop selenium content.
- Selenium uptake varies among different crop types.
- Dietary selenium intake from crops grown on sludge-amended land is quantitatively evaluated.
Conclusions:
- Widespread sludge application will increase crop and dietary selenium.
- Potential long-term human health risks associated with elevated selenium intake are identified.
- Recommendations are provided to minimize potential risks from selenium accumulation.