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Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive

volume 29 issue 1 (march 2008) : 1 - 10

IMPACT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE APPLICATION ON SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS, MICROBIAL PROCESSES AND PLANT GROWTH- A REVIEW

S
Sneh Goyal
M
Meenu Walia
R
R. Gera
K
K.K. Kapoor
B
B.S. Kundu
1Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University. Hisar 125 004.

  • Submitted|

  • First Online |

  • doi

Cite article:- Goyal Sneh, Walia Meenu, Gera R., Kapoor K.K., Kundu B.S. (2025). IMPACT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE APPLICATION ON SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS, MICROBIAL PROCESSES AND PLANT GROWTH- A REVIEW. Agricultural Reviews. 29(1): 1 - 10. doi: .

ABSTRACT

Sewage sludge is a rich source of plant nutrients (C, N, P and K). Beside these sludge often
contains heavy metals like Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pd, Ni, Hg and Cr. Some of these metals at low
concentration are essential micronutrients. The repeated addition of sludge contaminated with
heavy metals may lead to build up of heavy metals in soil and thereby exert adverse effects on soil
health. The concentrations of heavy metals close to or less than current permissible limits have no
effect on microbial biomass carbon and other activities. Soil microbial biomass carbon and activities
increased with the application of uncontaminated sewage sludge. But the application of metal
contaminated sewage sludge leads to the decline in microbial biomass C and N. At higher level
metal contaminated sewage sludge resulted in the accumulation of organic matter due to less
degradation or carbon dioxide evolution. The urease and dehydrogenase activities are adversely
affected while other enzyme activities stimulated by metal contaminated sewage sludge. Soil microbial community structure and plant growth are also adversely affected by metal contaminated sewage sludge.

KEYWORDS

    REFERENCES

    1. Alloway, B.J. (1990). In: Heavy Metals in Soils John Wiley, New York pp. 29-39.
    2. Anderson, T. H and Domsch, K. H. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem. 25: 393-395.
    3. Balzer, W. and Ahrens, E. (1991). In: Answirkingen von Siedhengsabfallen auf Boden, Bodenogyanismen und
    4. Pflanzen (Saurbeck D. R. and Lubbens S. Eds). Berichte Okologischen Forschung 6, 359-389.
    5. Banerjee, M. R. et al. (1997). Agric. Ecosys. Environ. 66: 241-249.
    6. Barajas, M. (2005). Bioresour. Technol. 96:1405-1414.
    7. Banger, K.C. and Kapoor, K.K. (2005). Int. J. Ecol. Environ. Sci. 31: 39-44.
    8. Bhogal, A. et al. (2003). Environ. Pollut. 121: 413-423.
    9. Binder,D.L. et al (2002)Soil Sci Soc Am.J:66 531-543.
    10. Boyle, M. and Paul, E.A. (1989). Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 53: 740-744.
    11. Bragato, G. et al. (1998). Soil Tillage Res. 46: 129-134.
    12. Brendecke, J. W. et al. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem. 26: 751-758.
    13. Brookes, P.C. et al. (1984). In: Environmental Contamination (International Conference). CEP Ltd., Edinburgh, pp. 574.
    14. Chander, K. and Brookes, P. C. (1991). Soil Biol.Biochem. 23: 927-932.
    15. Chander, K. and Brookes, P. C. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem. 25: 1231-1239.
    16. Chander, K. and Brookes, P. C. (1995). Soil Biol. Biochem. 27: 1409-1421.
    17. Chang, F. H. and Broadbent, F. E. (1982). J. Environ. Qual. 11: 1-4.
    18. Chaudhary, P. et al. (2004). Microbiol. Res. 159: 121-127.
    19. Chaudhri, A. M. et al. (1992). Soil Biol.Biochem.24: 83-88.
    20. Chaudhri, A. M. et al. (1993). Soil Biol.Biochem.25: 301-309.
    21. Chaudhri, A. M. et al. (2000). Plant Soil 221: 167-179.
    22. Code of Practice for Agriculture use of Sewage Sludge. Department of Environmental London: Her Majesty’s Stationary office.
    23. De las Heras, J. et al. (2005). J. Environ. Sci. Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 40: 437-451.
    24. Del Val, C. et al. (1999). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 718-723.
    25. Doelman, P. (1986). In: Microbial Communities in Soil. FEMS Symp No. 33 (Jensen V., et al., eds), Elsevier,
    26. Copenhagen London New York pp 415-471.
    27. Dowdy, R. H. and Larson, W.E. (1975). J. Environ. Qual. 4: 278-282.
    28. Du Plessis, K. R. et al. (2005). J. Appl. Microbiol. 98: 901-909.
    29. Gabteni, N. and Gallali, T. (1988). Cahiers-Orstom Pedologic. 24: 255-261.
    30. Garcia, G. J. C. et al. (2004). Biol. Fertil. Soils 39: 320-328.
    31. 1100 AGRAICGURLITCUURTAULR SACLI ERNEVCIEE WDISGEST
    32. Gavalda, D. et al. (2005). Sci Total Environ. 343: 97-109.
    33. Ghosh, A.K. et al. (2004). Environ. Int. 30: 491-499.
    34. Giller, K.E. et al. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem.25: 273-278.
    35. Giordana, P. M. et al. (1975). J. Environ. Qual. 4: 394-399.
    36. Giovanni, V. et al. (1995). Biol. Fertil. Soils 20: 253-259.
    37. Insam, H. et al. (1996). Soil Boil. Biochem. 28: 691-694.
    38. Khan, M. and Scullion, J. (2000). Environ. Pollut. 110: 115-125
    39. Killham, K. (1985). Environ Pollu 38: 283-294.
    40. Kzlkaya, R. and Hepsen, S. (2004). J. Pl. Nutr. Soil Sci. 167: 202-208.
    41. Liang, C. N. and Tabatabai, M. A. (1978). J. Environ. Qual. 7: 291-293.
    42. MacLean, K.S. et al. (1987). Commun. Soil Sci. Pl. Analys. 18:1303-1316.
    43. McGarth, S. P. and Ross, S. M. (1994). Toxic Metals in Soil Plant System. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Chichester UK
    44. 247-274 pp.
    45. McGrath, S. P. et al. (1988). Soil Biol.Biochem.20: 415-424.
    46. McGrath, S.P. et al. (1995). J. Ind. Microbiol. 14: 94-104.
    47. McGrath, S.P. et al. (1995). J. Ind. Microbiol. 14: 94-104.
    48. Miller R.W. et al. (2002). Adv. Agron. 75: 1-56.
    49. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food UK (1987). The Use of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Land. June 1987/
    50. BL 5540. pp 5.
    51. Muhammad, A. et al. (2005). Chemosphere. 60: 508-14.
    52. Nyamangara.J.and Mzezewa,J.(2001).Nutr.Cycling Agroecosyst.59:13-18.
    53. Nriagu, J. O. and Pachyna, J. M. (1988). Nature. 333: 134-139.
    54. Ortiz, O. and Alcariz, J. M. (1993). Geomicrobiol. J. 11: 333-340.
    55. Otabbong, E. et al. (1997). Soil Pl. Sci. 47: 65-70.
    56. Rajapaksha, R.M. et al. (2004). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 2966-2973.
    57. Reddy, G. B. and Faza, A. (1989). Soil Biol. Biochem. 21: 327.
    58. Rost, U. et al. (2001). Soil Boil. Biochem. 33: 633-638.
    59. Ryser, P. and Sauder, W. R. (2005). Environ. Pollut. 22:
    60. Ryser, P. and Sauder, W. R. (2006). Environ. Pollut. 140: 52-61.
    61. Sabey, B. R. and Hart, W.E. (1975). J. Environ. Qual. 4: 252-256.
    62. Selivanovskaya, S. Y. et al. (2002). Pochvovedenie 28: 588-594.
    63. Sheppard, S. K. et al. (2005). Biores. Technol. 96: 1103-1115.
    64. Shi, W. et al. (2002). Appl. Environ. Microbial. 68:38
    65. Sigua, G.C. et al (2005). Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int.12: 80-88.
    66. Skujins, J. et al. (1986). Swedish J Agric. Sci. 16: 113-118.
    67. Smith, S. R. and Giller, K. E. (1992). Soil Biol.Biochem.24: 781-783.
    68. Smolders, E. et al. (2003). Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22: 2592-2598.
    69. Soil Science Unit, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DE, UK.
    70. Storjan, C.L. (1978). Oecologia 32: 203-212.
    71. Tripathi,B.D.et al.(1990).Com Soil Sci.Anal.26 : 2603-2619.
    72. Tsadilas, C.D. et al. (1995). Comm.Soil Sci. Pl. Anal. 26: 15-16.
    73. Valsecchi, G. et al. (1995). Biol. Fertil. Soils 20: 253-259.
    74. Wang, Q.R. et al. (2003). Environ. Sci. Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ. Eng. 38: 823-838.
    75. Weritz, N. and Schroeder, D. (1989). Mitteilungen der Deutschan Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft. 59: 1015-1020.
    76. Yadav, D. S. et al. (1986). Aust. J. Soil Res. 24: 527-532.
    77. Yamoto, H. et al. (1986). Bull. Faculty Agric. Shimane Uni. 20: 157-160.
    78. Zaman, M. et al. (2005). Biol. Fertil. Soils 40: 101-109.
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      volume 29 issue 1 (march 2008) : 1 - 10

      IMPACT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE APPLICATION ON SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS, MICROBIAL PROCESSES AND PLANT GROWTH- A REVIEW

      S
      Sneh Goyal
      M
      Meenu Walia
      R
      R. Gera
      K
      K.K. Kapoor
      B
      B.S. Kundu
      1Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University. Hisar 125 004.

      • Submitted|

      • First Online |

      • doi

      Cite article:- Goyal Sneh, Walia Meenu, Gera R., Kapoor K.K., Kundu B.S. (2025). IMPACT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE APPLICATION ON SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS, MICROBIAL PROCESSES AND PLANT GROWTH- A REVIEW. Agricultural Reviews. 29(1): 1 - 10. doi: .

      ABSTRACT

      Sewage sludge is a rich source of plant nutrients (C, N, P and K). Beside these sludge often
      contains heavy metals like Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pd, Ni, Hg and Cr. Some of these metals at low
      concentration are essential micronutrients. The repeated addition of sludge contaminated with
      heavy metals may lead to build up of heavy metals in soil and thereby exert adverse effects on soil
      health. The concentrations of heavy metals close to or less than current permissible limits have no
      effect on microbial biomass carbon and other activities. Soil microbial biomass carbon and activities
      increased with the application of uncontaminated sewage sludge. But the application of metal
      contaminated sewage sludge leads to the decline in microbial biomass C and N. At higher level
      metal contaminated sewage sludge resulted in the accumulation of organic matter due to less
      degradation or carbon dioxide evolution. The urease and dehydrogenase activities are adversely
      affected while other enzyme activities stimulated by metal contaminated sewage sludge. Soil microbial community structure and plant growth are also adversely affected by metal contaminated sewage sludge.

      KEYWORDS

        REFERENCES

        1. Alloway, B.J. (1990). In: Heavy Metals in Soils John Wiley, New York pp. 29-39.
        2. Anderson, T. H and Domsch, K. H. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem. 25: 393-395.
        3. Balzer, W. and Ahrens, E. (1991). In: Answirkingen von Siedhengsabfallen auf Boden, Bodenogyanismen und
        4. Pflanzen (Saurbeck D. R. and Lubbens S. Eds). Berichte Okologischen Forschung 6, 359-389.
        5. Banerjee, M. R. et al. (1997). Agric. Ecosys. Environ. 66: 241-249.
        6. Barajas, M. (2005). Bioresour. Technol. 96:1405-1414.
        7. Banger, K.C. and Kapoor, K.K. (2005). Int. J. Ecol. Environ. Sci. 31: 39-44.
        8. Bhogal, A. et al. (2003). Environ. Pollut. 121: 413-423.
        9. Binder,D.L. et al (2002)Soil Sci Soc Am.J:66 531-543.
        10. Boyle, M. and Paul, E.A. (1989). Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 53: 740-744.
        11. Bragato, G. et al. (1998). Soil Tillage Res. 46: 129-134.
        12. Brendecke, J. W. et al. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem. 26: 751-758.
        13. Brookes, P.C. et al. (1984). In: Environmental Contamination (International Conference). CEP Ltd., Edinburgh, pp. 574.
        14. Chander, K. and Brookes, P. C. (1991). Soil Biol.Biochem. 23: 927-932.
        15. Chander, K. and Brookes, P. C. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem. 25: 1231-1239.
        16. Chander, K. and Brookes, P. C. (1995). Soil Biol. Biochem. 27: 1409-1421.
        17. Chang, F. H. and Broadbent, F. E. (1982). J. Environ. Qual. 11: 1-4.
        18. Chaudhary, P. et al. (2004). Microbiol. Res. 159: 121-127.
        19. Chaudhri, A. M. et al. (1992). Soil Biol.Biochem.24: 83-88.
        20. Chaudhri, A. M. et al. (1993). Soil Biol.Biochem.25: 301-309.
        21. Chaudhri, A. M. et al. (2000). Plant Soil 221: 167-179.
        22. Code of Practice for Agriculture use of Sewage Sludge. Department of Environmental London: Her Majesty’s Stationary office.
        23. De las Heras, J. et al. (2005). J. Environ. Sci. Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 40: 437-451.
        24. Del Val, C. et al. (1999). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 718-723.
        25. Doelman, P. (1986). In: Microbial Communities in Soil. FEMS Symp No. 33 (Jensen V., et al., eds), Elsevier,
        26. Copenhagen London New York pp 415-471.
        27. Dowdy, R. H. and Larson, W.E. (1975). J. Environ. Qual. 4: 278-282.
        28. Du Plessis, K. R. et al. (2005). J. Appl. Microbiol. 98: 901-909.
        29. Gabteni, N. and Gallali, T. (1988). Cahiers-Orstom Pedologic. 24: 255-261.
        30. Garcia, G. J. C. et al. (2004). Biol. Fertil. Soils 39: 320-328.
        31. 1100 AGRAICGURLITCUURTAULR SACLI ERNEVCIEE WDISGEST
        32. Gavalda, D. et al. (2005). Sci Total Environ. 343: 97-109.
        33. Ghosh, A.K. et al. (2004). Environ. Int. 30: 491-499.
        34. Giller, K.E. et al. (1993). Soil Biol. Biochem.25: 273-278.
        35. Giordana, P. M. et al. (1975). J. Environ. Qual. 4: 394-399.
        36. Giovanni, V. et al. (1995). Biol. Fertil. Soils 20: 253-259.
        37. Insam, H. et al. (1996). Soil Boil. Biochem. 28: 691-694.
        38. Khan, M. and Scullion, J. (2000). Environ. Pollut. 110: 115-125
        39. Killham, K. (1985). Environ Pollu 38: 283-294.
        40. Kzlkaya, R. and Hepsen, S. (2004). J. Pl. Nutr. Soil Sci. 167: 202-208.
        41. Liang, C. N. and Tabatabai, M. A. (1978). J. Environ. Qual. 7: 291-293.
        42. MacLean, K.S. et al. (1987). Commun. Soil Sci. Pl. Analys. 18:1303-1316.
        43. McGarth, S. P. and Ross, S. M. (1994). Toxic Metals in Soil Plant System. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Chichester UK
        44. 247-274 pp.
        45. McGrath, S. P. et al. (1988). Soil Biol.Biochem.20: 415-424.
        46. McGrath, S.P. et al. (1995). J. Ind. Microbiol. 14: 94-104.
        47. McGrath, S.P. et al. (1995). J. Ind. Microbiol. 14: 94-104.
        48. Miller R.W. et al. (2002). Adv. Agron. 75: 1-56.
        49. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food UK (1987). The Use of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Land. June 1987/
        50. BL 5540. pp 5.
        51. Muhammad, A. et al. (2005). Chemosphere. 60: 508-14.
        52. Nyamangara.J.and Mzezewa,J.(2001).Nutr.Cycling Agroecosyst.59:13-18.
        53. Nriagu, J. O. and Pachyna, J. M. (1988). Nature. 333: 134-139.
        54. Ortiz, O. and Alcariz, J. M. (1993). Geomicrobiol. J. 11: 333-340.
        55. Otabbong, E. et al. (1997). Soil Pl. Sci. 47: 65-70.
        56. Rajapaksha, R.M. et al. (2004). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 2966-2973.
        57. Reddy, G. B. and Faza, A. (1989). Soil Biol. Biochem. 21: 327.
        58. Rost, U. et al. (2001). Soil Boil. Biochem. 33: 633-638.
        59. Ryser, P. and Sauder, W. R. (2005). Environ. Pollut. 22:
        60. Ryser, P. and Sauder, W. R. (2006). Environ. Pollut. 140: 52-61.
        61. Sabey, B. R. and Hart, W.E. (1975). J. Environ. Qual. 4: 252-256.
        62. Selivanovskaya, S. Y. et al. (2002). Pochvovedenie 28: 588-594.
        63. Sheppard, S. K. et al. (2005). Biores. Technol. 96: 1103-1115.
        64. Shi, W. et al. (2002). Appl. Environ. Microbial. 68:38
        65. Sigua, G.C. et al (2005). Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int.12: 80-88.
        66. Skujins, J. et al. (1986). Swedish J Agric. Sci. 16: 113-118.
        67. Smith, S. R. and Giller, K. E. (1992). Soil Biol.Biochem.24: 781-783.
        68. Smolders, E. et al. (2003). Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22: 2592-2598.
        69. Soil Science Unit, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DE, UK.
        70. Storjan, C.L. (1978). Oecologia 32: 203-212.
        71. Tripathi,B.D.et al.(1990).Com Soil Sci.Anal.26 : 2603-2619.
        72. Tsadilas, C.D. et al. (1995). Comm.Soil Sci. Pl. Anal. 26: 15-16.
        73. Valsecchi, G. et al. (1995). Biol. Fertil. Soils 20: 253-259.
        74. Wang, Q.R. et al. (2003). Environ. Sci. Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ. Eng. 38: 823-838.
        75. Weritz, N. and Schroeder, D. (1989). Mitteilungen der Deutschan Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft. 59: 1015-1020.
        76. Yadav, D. S. et al. (1986). Aust. J. Soil Res. 24: 527-532.
        77. Yamoto, H. et al. (1986). Bull. Faculty Agric. Shimane Uni. 20: 157-160.
        78. Zaman, M. et al. (2005). Biol. Fertil. Soils 40: 101-109.
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