The uptake of heavy metals from sewage sludge applied to land by corn and soybeans

Abstract
Sludge was applied to a Matapeake silt loam soil at loading rates of 0, 22, 45 and 90 mt/ha where corn and soybeans were planted. Corn seedling, ear leaf, grain and stover, and soybean seedling and grain samples were analyzed for their Al, B, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn. Corn grain and stover and soybean grain samples were analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb. Normal concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, and Hg were found in the corn grain and stover and soybean grain. The Pb concentration in the corn stover increased with increased sludge application rates. The Al, Ba and Fe concentrations decreased in the corn seedling samples at the 45 and 90 mt/ha loading rates but all trace element concentrations in the corn ear leaf tissue were within the normal range for corn.
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