Biochemical changes, metal content, and spectroscopic analysis in sewage sludge composted with lignocellulosic residue using FTIR-MIR and FTIR-NIR.

The use of lignocellulosic residues, originating from sawdust, in composting sewage sludge for organic fertilizer production, is a practice of growing interest. However, few studies have explored the effect of the proportion of sawdust and sewage sludge raw materials on composting performance in the humification process. This study assessed the addition of sawdust in the sewage sludge composting process, regarding carbon content, presence of heavy metals, and humification of the organic compost. The experimental design employed was a randomized complete block design with five treatments featuring different proportions of organic residues to achieve C/N ratios between 30-1 (T1: 100% sewage sludge and 0% sawdust, T2: 86% sewage sludge and 14.0% sawdust, T3: 67% sewage sludge and 33% sawdust, T4: 55% sewage sludge and 45% sawdust, and T5: 46.5% sewage sludge and 53.5% sawdust) and five replications, totaling 25 experimental units. The addition of lignocellulosic residue in sewage sludge composting increased the levels of TOC and the C/N ratio, reduced the levels of pH, P, N, Na, Ba, and Cr, and did not interfere with the levels of K, Ca, Mg, S, CEC, labile carbon, and metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb. The increase in the proportion of sawdust residue favored the degradation of aliphatic groups, increasing the presence of aromatic structures and reducing humification at the end of composting. The use of sawdust as a lignocellulosic residue in sewage sludge composting is a viable and efficient alternative to produce high-quality organomineral fertilizers.

Improving the quality of organic compost of sewage sludge using grass cultivation followed by composting.

Composting is one of the main processes of stabilization of sewage sludge and its association with cultivation in this residue has a great potential to produce stabilized organic fertilizer and, or substrate for plant development. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physical, chemical, and microbial attributes of sewage sludge (SS) aerated and cultivated with Pennisetum purpureum or Urochloa brizantha and, later, composted. The study was installed in a 2x2+2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The factors consisted of cultivation of P. purpureum or U. brizantha in SS for 90 days, with or without intermittent aeration for 60 days. The control treatments were SS without cultivation, with the presence or absence of aeration. After 90 days of cultivation, the grass was cut, crushed, and incorporated into the SS for composting for 60 days. The composted sewage sludge showed an increase of 26, 24, 17, 123, 19, 32, and 7.7% in the levels of P, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Pb; and a reduction of 22, 5.2, 26, 30, 8.8, and 70% in the levels of C, N, K, Mg, Ni, and Na, respectively. The levels of Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb remained below the maximum limit allowed by environmental resolution. The degradation of SS decreased the particle diameter, increasing the bulk density and total porosity, improving the physical properties of the compost. The SS cultivation and composting, regardless of the grass, led to a reduction in pH, basal and accumulated respiration, nitrification index, and C/N ratio and an increase in the CEC/C ratio, showing adequate maturation of the compost produced. Thus, the SS cultivation and composting with grasses were effective for producing matured and quality organic compost with low risk of environmental contamination.

Ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera and their natural enemies on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabales: Fabaceae) plants with or without dehydrated sewage sludge application in a degraded area.

Soil fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge (DSS) accelerates the recovery process of degraded areas by improving nutrient concentration, and favors the development of trophic webs with pioneer plants such as Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Beth (Fabales: Fabaceae), phytophagous Hemiptera, predators, and protocooperanting ants. This study aimed to evaluate the development and production of A. auriculiformis litter with or without dehydrated sewage sludge application and the ecological indices of sucking insects (Hemiptera), their predators and protocooperating ants, as bioindicators, in a degraded area for 24 months. Complete randomization was applied for two treatments (with or without application of dehydrated sewage sludge) in 24 replications (one repetition = one plant). We evaluated the number of leaves/branch and branches/plant, percentage of soil cover (litter), ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera, their predators, and protocooperating ants. The plants of A. auriculiformis, that were applied with dehydrated sewage sludge, had superior development when compared to plants where DSS were not applied. The highest abundance and richness of phytophagous Hemiptera species and Sternorrhyncha predators occurred on A. auriculiformis plants that were applied with dehydrated sewage sludge. The increase in richness of species of protocooperanting ants that established mutualistic relationships positively influenced the phytophagous Hemiptera. The use of A. auriculiformis, with application of dehydrated sewage sludge, can increase recovery of degraded areas due to its higher soil cover (e.g., litter) and results in higher ecological indices of phytophagous Hemiptera and their predators.

Diversity of arthropods on Acacia mangium (Fabaceae) and production of this plant with dehydrated sewage sludge in degraded area.

Sewage sludge is an organic matter-rich material with abundant fractions of nitrogen and other macro and micronutrients, essential for plant growth and development such as Acacia mangium Willd. (Fabales: Fabaceae) used in recovering actions of degraded areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate over 24 months the abundance and diversity of chewing and pollinator insects and arthropod predators on A. mangium plants and the mass production and soil coverage by this plant, fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge, in a degraded area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with two treatments (with and without dehydrated sewage sludge) and 24 replications. The number of leaves per branch and branches per plant, defoliation percentage by chewing insects, soil cover and abundance of chewing and pollinator insects and arthropod predators were higher on A. mangium plants fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge. Nasutitermes sp. (Blattodea: Termitidae) and Trigona spinipes F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were the most observed insects on trunks and leaves, respectively, of A. mangium plants fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge. The A. mangium fertilization increases the populations of different insect and spider groups on this plant.

Biochar in sugar beet production and nutrition / Biochar na produção e nutrição da beterraba

ABSTRACT: The biomass pyrolysis process may be an alternative for the agricultural use of sewage sludge. This study aimed to evaluate the use of of biochars from mixture of sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse (BB, 1:1 relationship sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse) on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) production and nutrition. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with five application rates of BB: 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% (v/v), and two additional treatments, biochar from sewage sludge (BS, application rate 5% (v/v)) and conventional treatment (CV) that received lime and mineral fertilizer. The treated soils were incubated for 45 days, after which, seedlings were cultivated for 55 days. Biochar produce from sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse is an alternative technology to reduce the potential for contamination of sewage sludge and to incorporate more stable carbon forms in the soil. Although, biochar has increased soil fertility, fine roots and nutrient uptake efficiency by sugar beet plants, total dry matter yield was significantly lower than that obtained in conventional treatment.

RESUMO: O processo de pirólise da biomassa pode ser uma alternativa para o uso agrícola de lodo de esgoto. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o uso de biochar produzido a partir da mistura de lodo de esgoto e bagaço de cana (BB, 1:1 relação lodo de esgoto e e bagaço de cana) na produção e nutrição de beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.). Conduziu-se um experimento em casa de vegetação com cinco dose de BB: 0, 2,5, 5, 7,5 e 10% v/v, e dois tratamentos adicionais, biochar de lodo de esgoto (BS, 5% v/v) e tratamento convencional (CV) com calagem e fertilizantes minerais. Após 45 dias de incubação dos solos tratados, cultivou-se as plantas por 55 dias. O biochar produzido a partir de lodo de esgoto e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar é uma tecnologia alternativa para reduzir o potencial de contaminação do lodo de esgoto e incorporar formas mais estáveis de carbono ao solo. Embora o biochar tenha aumentado à fertilidade do solo, as raízes finas e a eficiência de absorção de nutrientes pelas plantas de beterraba, a produção de matéria seca total foi significativamente menor que a obtida no tratamento convencional.

Growth and production of common bean fertilized with biochar / Crescimento e produção de feijoeiro adubado com biocarvão

ABSTRACT: Production of biochar from organic wastes promises to be an interesting source of plant nutrients, thus reducing pressure on natural resources. To assess the effect of biochar prepared from wastes filtration materials on the growth and production of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), three simultaneous greenhouse experiments were conducted with three different biochar from organic wastes (rice husk, sawdust, and sorghum silage) using as filtration material for swine biofertilizer. In each experiment the treatments consisted of the addition of five different biochar concentrations (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% v/v), arranged in a completely random design, with four repetitions. Application of biochar increased the root dry mass, shoot dry mass, grain dry mass, number of pods and number of grains. These results indicated that biochar contributed significantly to the growth and production of common bean plants.

RESUMO: A produção de biochar a partir de resíduos orgânicos pode ser uma estratégia agronômica interessante como fonte de nutrientes para as plantas, diminuindo assim, a pressão sobre os recursos naturais. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de biocarvões, produzidos de materiais filtrantes descartados, no crescimento e produção de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), conduziram-se simultaneamente três experimentos em casa de vegetação. Cada um dos experimentos foi representado pela aplicação de um biochar, os quais foram produzidos a partir de resíduos orgânicos de casca de arroz, serragem e restos de silagem de sorgo, utilizados como material filtrante para o biofertilizante suíno; e os tratamentos avaliados consistiram na adição de cinco níveis de biocarvão, isto é, 0, 2,5%, 5% 7,5% e 10% v/v. Nos três experimentos a aplicação de biochar aumentou a massa seca da raiz, massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca de grãos, número de vagens e número de grãos. Esses resultados indicam que os biochars contribuíram significativamente para o crescimento e produção do feijoeiro.

Caracterização e estoques de carbono de sistemas agroflorestaisno Cerrado de Minas Gerais / Characterization and carbon storage of agroforestry systems in brazilian savannas of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Os sistemas agroflorestais (SAFs) além de geração de renda e conservação da biodiversidade pode ser uma alternativa para a estocagem de carbono. O trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar três sistemas agroflorestais (SAFs) e estimar os estoques de carbono na fitomassa aérea, na serapilheira e no solo. Os SAFs e suas respectivas vegetações nativas adjacentes foram caracterizados quanto ao número, classificação botânica,distribuição diamétrica e estratificação vertical dos indivíduos arbóreose. Em cada um dos sistemas, foram estimados os estoques de carbono na fitomassa aérea, na serapilheira e no solo. Os SAFs,implantados a partir do manejo da vegetação nativa, apresentaram uma biodiversidade vegetal e estoque de carbono na fitomassa, na serapilheira e no solo semelhantes à área de vegetação nativa adjacente. Por outro lado, os estoques de carbono no SAF implantado em área anteriormente cultivada com culturas anuais apresentou menor diversidade de espécies arbóreas e estoques de carbono na fitomassa, serapilheira e no solo, em relação à vegetação nativa adjacente. Sistemas agroflorestais bem manejados se assemelham à vegetação nativa em estoque de carbono e conservação da biodiversidade dos recursos naturais.

Agroforestry systems (SAFs) as well as income generation and biodiversity conservation can be an alternative to carbon stocks. The study aimed to characterize and estimate the soil and plant carbon stocks of SAFs in Brazilian savannas of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Three agroforestry systems and their adjacent native vegetation were evaluated. In addition, the forest inventory, the diameter distribution and vertical stratification of tree species were measured. The SAFs deployed from the management of native vegetation had a plant biodiversity and carbon stock in biomass, litter and soil similar to that of the adjacent area of native vegetation. On the other hand, carbon stocks in SAF deployed in the area cultivated with annual crops had lower species diversity and carbon stocks in biomass, litter and soil in relation to native vegetation adjacent. Agroforestry systems well managed have carbon stocks and biodiversity of natural resources like native vegetation.

Atributos químicos do solo adubado com lodo de esgoto estabilizado por diferentes processos e cultivado com girassol / Soil chemical attributes fertilized with sewage sludge stabilized by different processes and cultivated with sunflower

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os atributos do solo em resposta a adubação com lodo de esgoto submetido a diferentes processos de estabilização. O experimento foi desenvolvido em solo CAMBISSOLO HÁPLICO, com os tratamentos: testemunha (sem adubação), adubação com lodo de esgoto solarizado, adubação com lodo de esgoto compostado, adubação com lodo de esgoto vermicompostado, adubação com lodo de esgoto caleado e adubação química recomendada para a cultura. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com 4 repetições. O lodo de esgoto estabilizado de diferentes formas não influenciou os teores de matéria orgânica, o pH, a soma de bases (SB), a saturação por bases (V), a CTC efetiva (CTC(t)), a CTC potencial (CTC(T)) e os teores de H+Al do solo quando comparado à adubação química e ao tratamento sem adubação, exceto o lodo de esgoto caleado, que aumentou o pH, a SB, a V e a CTC(t) do solo.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil properties in response to fertilization with sewage sludge under different stabilization processes. The experiment was conducted in Haplic Cambisol, with the treatments: control (without fertilization), fertilization with sewage sludge solarized, fertilization with compost sewage sludge, fertilization with sewage sludge vermicomposted, fertilization with limed sewage sludge and chemical fertilizer recommended for culture. It was used a randomized block design with four replicates. The sewage sludge did not affect the organic matter content, pH, SB, V%, CTC(t), CTC(T) and the contents of H + Al when compared to chemical fertilizer and treatment without fertilization, except the limed sewage sludge, which increased the pH, SB, CTC(t), and V% of the soil.

Qualidade de sementes de Helianthus annuus L. em função da adubação fosfatada e da localização na inflorescência / Quality of Helianthus annuus L. seeds as a function of phosphate and location in the inflorescence

Nos últimos anos, a expansão da cultura do girassol promoveu uma busca por material genético mais competitivo, além de sementes com uma máxima qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária. No campo, a época de colheita e a nutrição das plantas são de fundamental importância na expressão dessas qualidades. Com isso, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de girassol submetidas a diferentes doses de fósforo e suas localizações dentro da inflorescência. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial (3x2), sendo o primeiro fator a localização da semente na inflorescência (periferia, meio e centro) e, o segundo, doses de fósforo (zero e 70kg ha-1 de super-simples), sendo sua aplicação realizada durante a implantação da cultura. As sementes foram submetidas à determinação do teor de água, peso de mil sementes, peso das sementes por localização na inflorescência e a testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem e índice de velocidade de germinação). A adubação fosfatada proporciona aumento na qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de girassol. A região da periferia junto com o meio contribui em maior parte para a obtenção de uma melhor qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de girassol. A qualidade física é afetada pela localização das sementes na inflorescência, cujas mais pesadas se encontram na periferia, seguidas das do meio e tendo o centro com as sementes mais leves.

In recent years, the expansion of sunflower promoted a search for genetic material more competitive, and for seeds with a maximum physical, physiological and health quality. In the field, harvesting time and plant nutrition are essential in the expression of these qualities. With this objective, this research aimed to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of sunflower seeds under different phosphorus levels and locations within the same inflorescence. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial (3x2), being the first factor, the location of the seed in the inflorescence (outside, middle and center) and the second phosphorus levels (zero and to 70kg ha-1 super-simple). Its application was performed during the culture deployment . Seeds were subjected to the moisture content determination, thousand seed weight, seed weight per inflorescence location in germination and vigor (first count and index of germination rate). Phosphorus fertilization allowed an increase in physical and physiological quality of sunflower seeds. The region along the periphery with the environment contributes in most to obtain a better physical and physiological quality of sunflower seeds. The physical quality is affected by the location of seeds in inflorescences, which are heavier in the periphery, followed by middle and having the center with lighter seeds.

Eficiência da compostagem sobre a qualidade do biossólido de esgoto doméstico e resíduos agrícolas, utilizado para cultivo do cogumelo do sol (Agaricus blazei Murril) / Efficiency of composting biosolids on the quality of domestic sewage and agricultural waste, used for cultivation of the mushroom of the sun (Agaricus blazei Murrill)

A eficácia da compostagem foi estudada para remoção de contaminantes presentes em substratos alternativos contendo lodo de esgoto a serem utilizados para cultivo do cogumelo do sol (Agaricus blazei Murril). Substratos contendo cinco relações de carbono/nitrogênio: 25, 30, 35,40 e 45 eram compostos por cinco combinações diferentes de resíduos agrícolas. O material foi preparado e submetido ao processo de compostagem. Para avaliar a eficiência da remoção de coliformes fecais e aeróbios mesófilos, realizaram-se análises microbiológicas de amostras de cada ingrediente a ser utilizado para preparo dos compostos, de amostras de cada biossólido referentes aos 5 tratamentos com as cinco diferentes relações C/N, antes e após da pasteurização. Amostras dos frutos cultivados nos diferentes substratos também foram analisadas. Ao serem analisados os resultados, observou- se que houve redução na presençade aeróbios mesófilos como de coliforme, em 80% das amostras analisadas. Essa ocorrência de microorganismos permitiu a classificação como lodo A, sendo de uso irrestrito. Não houve contaminação dos frutos cultivados em nenhum dos substratos avaliados. Concluiu-se que o tratamento adotado promoveu a higienização dos substratos tomando os aptos para aplicação no cultivo do cogumelo do sol e demais hortaliças.

The effectiveness of composting was studied in order to remove the contaminants in alternative substratescontaining sludge, used in the cultivation of Sun Mushroom (Agaricus blazei Murril).Substrates containing five relations of carbon/ nitrogen: 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 were composed of five different agricultural waste combinations. The material was prepared and submitted to the composting process. With the purpose of evaluating the efficiency of the removal of fecal coliforms and aerobic mesophiles, were conducted microbiological analysis of samples of each ingredient used in the compost preparation and samples consisting of each biosolid relating to the five different relations C/N, before and after the pasteurization. Samples of fruit grown on different substrates were also analyzed. According to the results analyzed, it was observed the decrease of aerobic mesophiles and coliforms, in 80% of the samples. The sludge was classified as "A ", because of the occurrence of microorganisms. There was no contaminationof fruits grown in any of the substrates evaluated. It was concluded that the treatment promoted the substrates hygiene, making them suitable for application in the cultivation of Sun Mushroom and other vegetables.

Análise da contaminação parasitária em compostos orgânicos produzidos com biossólidos de esgoto doméstico e resíduos agropecuários / Analysis of parasitological contamination in organic composts with sewage sludge and agricultural residues

Este estudo avaliou a contaminação por ovos de helmintos, cistos e oocistos de protozoários em compostos orgânicos utilizando lodo de esgoto doméstico e resíduos agropecuários. Foram realizadas análises parasitológicas em amostras de 25 diferentes compostos orgânicos, antes e após tratamento térmico a 60°C durante 12 horas. Os resultados demonstraram elevada contaminação parasitária em todos os compostos analisados antes do tratamento e a não redução dessa contaminação após o tratamento térmico. A identificação das larvas obtidas em coproculturas antes e após o tratamento térmico dos compostos indicou que os gêneros mais freqüentemente observados foram Cooperia e Trichostrongylus, que são nematóides gastrintestinais de ruminantes. Estes resultados demonstram que ovos de helmintos podem permanecer viáveis mesmo após o processo de compostagem e o tratamento térmico. Os compostos produzidos com lodo de esgoto doméstico e resíduo agropecuários, utilizando esses processos de tratamentos, podem constituir riscos de contaminação para humanos e animais.

This research aimed at evaluating the cysts, oocysts and eggs contamination before and after thermal treatment of 60°C for 12 hours, in 25 different organic composts produced with biosolids from domestic waste-water treatment and animal and agricultural residues. The results showed high parasitological contamination for all organic composts before the treatment and these contaminations were not reduced after thermic treatment. The larva identification in coprocultures before and after thermic treatment showed Cooperia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most prevalent nematodes. These results demonstrated that helmintus’ eggs can remain viable even after the composing and thermic treatment. The obtained composition with sewage sludge and agricultural residues through these treatment processes can establish contamination risks for humans and animals.