Case Study 4A - Emerging contaminants (secondary fertilisers)

Emission and fate of compounds of emerging concern (CECs) released to agricultural fields with secondary fertilizers

Sewage treatment facility

Institutions: AU-ENV

CS Coordinators: Kai Bester

Objectives / Hypothesis

Assess fate, biomagnification and effects of secondary fertilisers introduced to ecosystems via sewage sludge.

Short description of the case study (species studied, chemicals involved, exposure routes)

Case Study 4A concentrates on the emission and fate of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in soil ecosystems.

Case Study Goal

  • Exposure assessment

    • CEC in soil, porewater and soil biota (invertebrates)

    • Suction cups to study CEC movement towards groundwaters

  • Species

  • Bacterial communities

  • Earthworms

Involved stakeholders

  1. Danish EPA

  2. National food industry (Dairy Arla having some demands on not using sludge)

  3. SEGES (Farmers knowledge center)

  4. Environmental protection groups

Locations

Description:

  • Research farm (Høje Taastrup, Denmark) 

  • 0.6 ha plots receiving/ not receiving sludge over 70 years

 

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