The effect of solid waste compost on leaching and adsorption of heavy metals from silt-loamy soils

Leaching of nutrients and heavy metals from municipal solid waste compost leads to accumulation of certain elements in soil layers, causing underground water pollution. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of compost on leaching and adsorption of heavy metals and nutrients (sodium, potassium, and sulfate) from silt-loamy soils. In this empirical, applied study, three polyethylene columns (height 50 cm, inner diameter 10 cm), filled with sandy clay loam soil, were randomly selected. Then, 10 kg of compost per square meter were sprayed onto the columns, and leachates exiting the columns were routinely analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, sulfate, sodium, potassium, lead, chromium, and cadmium. Data analysis was performed with Excel and SPSS software using Kruskall-Wallis test. The data showed that the use of enriched and unenriched compost leachate decreased pH (from 7.43±17.0 to 6.7±0.25 and 7.07±0.11, respectively) and increased the electrical conductivity (EC) (from 1.8±0.3 mSiemens/m to 3.7±0.12 and 12.87±0.41 mSiemens/m respectively). Leakage of metals in the unenriched treatments was not significantly different from the control (p>0.78), but leakage with three metal-enriched compost applications was significant compared with control (p<0.001). Application of composts containing heavy metals onto loamy soils increases leaching of heavy metals from the compost into groundwater. Therefore, frequent use of compost endangers groundwater quality.