Effects of long-term application of biosolids for mine land reclamation on groundwater chemistry: trace metals.

Data collected for 35 yr from a 1790-ha strip mine reclamation site in Fulton County, Illinois, where biosolids were applied from 1972 to 2004, were used to evaluate the impacts of long-term biosolids application on metal concentrations in groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected between 1972 and 2006 from wells installed in seven strip-mined fields treated with biosolids at cumulative loading rates of 801 to 1815 dry Mg ha and from another seven fields (also strip mined) treated with mineral fertilizer. Samples were collected monthly between 1972 and 1986 and quarterly between 1987 and 2004 and were analyzed for total metals.

Trace element concentrations in soil, corn leaves, and grain after cessation of biosolids applications.

From 1974 to 1984, 543 Mg ha(-1) of biosolids were applied to portions of a land-reclamation site in Fulton County, IL. Soil organic C increased to 5.1% then decreased significantly (p < 0.