What are the environmental risks from spreading biosolids on land?
Environmental damage can occur when sewage sludge or other nutrient-rich materials wash off fields and into waterways. Phosphorus and nitrogen can cause algal blooms, oxygen depletion and fish kills. Another problem is the possibility that pathogens from biosolids leach into ground or surface water, and cause contamination of drinking water supplies. Biosolids may be contaminated with heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium and lead, or other contaminants that come from industries discharging to the sewage treatment plants. These metals may enter the food or water supply if they are applied to agricultural land.
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