MULTIELEMENT ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE ASHES - ABSORPTION OF ELEMENTS BY CABBAGE GROWN IN SLUDGE ASH-SOIL MIXTURE

An analytical survey of 42 elements and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) was conducted on municipal sewage sludge ashes from 10 American cities. The concentrations of specific elements in the ashes varied widely. Ca and Fe content reflected the addition of lime and ferric chloride during sewage treatment. Elements such as Cd, Hg, N and Se were low probably because of volatilization losses during incineration. PCB were not detected in the ash samples. Although the total content of N and Zn in the ashes was high, absorption of these elements by cabbage [Brassica oleracea var. capitata] grown on ash-amended soil was surprisingly low, possibly due to their presence in the ashes as insoluble compounds formed during incineration.