Ecotoxicological Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Waterworks Sludge Amended Soils Using Bermudagrass Bioassay

Waterworks sludge has the potential to be used as a soil amendment, but ecotoxicological risk of potentially toxic elements should not underestimated. In this regard, study determined contents nine (Cr, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Al) bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] grown in waterworks amended soils. Treatments involved different loading rates sludge, types, fertilization options that represented scenarios greening applications. The recommended metal levels plant tissues maximum tolerable for feeding cattle are adopted benchmarks gauging first second trophic ecosystem, respectively. No exceeded when rate is higher than 50% (wt/wt). When various treatments applied 25% (wt/wt) soils, accumulation aluminum zinc deserves our attention because few samples exceed levels. They mainly below-ground biomass. Overall, using amendment does cause an obvious risk. findings can provide valuable reference other cities sustainable management sludge.