Biosolids Remediate Metal Contaminated Soils #sewage sludge #mine pollution

Here's just the tip of the iceberg as far as the research on biosolids and their super-protetctive and remediating powers. I've seen it in a couple of places listed at the bottom. 

Internet Resource

National Biosolids Partnership Web site. Available from http://www.biosolids.org .

Peter S. Machno and Peggy Leonard

BIOSOLIDS REMEDIATE METAL-CONTAMINATED SOILS

The mining and processing of metal ores have contaminated soils in many countries. In the vicinity of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) mines and smelters, soils may have Pb and Zn concentrations as high as 20,000 mg/kg. These soils—with their high metals, low pH, and lack of nutrients and organic matter—are toxic to plants. Land around the mines is acidic and barren, often with blowing dust and metals leaching into ground and surface waters.


Three such sites on EPA's Superfund list—Palmerton, Pennsylvania; Leadville, Colorado; and Bunker Hill, Idaho—have demonstrated that biosolids mixtures can restore soils and vegetation. Biosolids combined with a calcium carbonate material such as lime or wood ash create a fertile soil and vigorous, self-sustaining plant growth. Iron and phosphates in biosolids adsorb lead and convert it to an insoluble compound, chloropyromorphite. Wood ash raises soil pH and prevents Zn from being taken up by plants or leached. Biosolids supply nutrients and organic matter for rebuilding soil and soil microbial communities.
Similar results have been reported in Upper Silesia, Poland, where lands have been contaminated by toxic coal and smelter wastes. New secondary treatment plants in the region will be producing a supply of biosolids for future restoration projects.

A douglas fir tree with (left cuts) and without (right cuts) biosolids application. There is a more than 100 percent increase in tree growth with biosolids. Each "tree ring" represents one year of growth. (King County photo by Ned Ahrens. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission.)

http://www.pollutionissues.com/A-Bo/Biosolids.html


http://www.reclaimingtheculture.org/pollution-guide-2/biosolids-remediate-metalcontaminated-soils.html