Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 11(5), pp. 849 - 858
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110513
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Pollutant Concentration Limit, Annual Pollutant Loading Rate, and Site Life in the Utilization of Biosolids for Agricultural Soils

Eva R. Orlina ^*
Department of Plant Science, Faculty of College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Aklan State University, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Pollutant contamination from biosolids application is a major constrain of its utilization in the agricultural ecosystem. Alimodian (fine isohypherthermic, calcic halfultalf) soils planted with Red Spanish pineapple (Ananas bracteatus) in Aklan, Philippines were evaluated to determine the Pollutant Concentration Limit (PCL), Annual Pollutant Loading Rate (APLR), and the Site Life (SL) for biosolids enrichment of the area. Standards prescribed by the USEPA Biosolids Management Handbook, Department Administrative Order 2013-32, and the Bureau of Agriculture Fishery Standards in the Philippines were utilized. As per USEPA standards, the pollutant concentration (mg/L) of arsenic (As) is 0.0057, cadmium (Cd) 0.003, copper (Cu) 0.76, mercury (Hg) 0.0001, nickel (Ni) 0.26, lead (Pb) 0.03, selenium (Se) 0.0003, and zinc (Zn) 3.11. Similarly, based on the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2013-32 and Bureau of Agricultural Fisheries and Standard (BAFS), As, Hg, Ni, Se and Zn are within the permissible limits. The APLR in number of bags of biosolids that can be applied is 11,380 bags for one year to meet the 1.9 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 ceiling for Cd in one agricultural site for Red Spanish Pineapple. For all the other sites, the permissible number of bags of biosolids that could be applied is 9,260 to not exceed the Pb ceiling of 15 kg ha^-1 yr^-1. Site life or the period biosolids is safe based on the standard range of 20 to 21 years.

KEYWORDS
Heavy Metals, Pollutant Loading Rate, Site Life, Biosolids, RS Pineapple

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Eva R. Orlina , "Pollutant Concentration Limit, Annual Pollutant Loading Rate, and Site Life in the Utilization of Biosolids for Agricultural Soils," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 11, No. 5, pp. 849 - 858, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110513.

(b). APA Format:
Eva R. Orlina (2023). Pollutant Concentration Limit, Annual Pollutant Loading Rate, and Site Life in the Utilization of Biosolids for Agricultural Soils. Environment and Ecology Research, 11(5), 849 - 858. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110513.