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 Coordinator: Kai Bester

Objectives / Hypothesis

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

Description of the case study

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

Photos from field work in SYBERAC Case Study 4A

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) belonging to University of Copenhagen

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

 

Learn more about the case study

Featured
Kai Bester about sludge processing & threats to biodiversity
Case Study 4A
Kai Bester about sludge processing & threats to biodiversity
Case Study 4A

Kai Bester reveals the risks of using sewage sludge as fertilizer, threats to biodiversity in this interview. He also talks about the research carried out within the case studies and how they significantly contribute to SYBERAC´s objectives.

Case Study 4A