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Evaluation of Land Potential for Use of Biosolids in the Coastal Mediterranean Karst Region

Author

Listed:
  • Vito Horvatić

    (Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Helena Bakić Begić

    (Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Davor Romić

    (Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Marko Černe

    (Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Karla Huguesa 8, 52440 Poreč, Croatia)

  • Smiljana Goreta Ban

    (Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Karla Huguesa 8, 52440 Poreč, Croatia)

  • Monika Zovko

    (Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Marija Romić

    (Department of Soil Amelioration, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of agricultural land in the coastal Adriatic Karst region (Šibenik region, Croatia) for biosolids application by integrating spatial data from different sources: digital maps and remote sensing, parcel identification system, GIS field observations and measurements focusing on specific land and soil properties. Due to the rapid development of the wastewater treatment industry, excessive accumulation of sewage sludge (SS) in wastewater treatment plants is a growing problem worldwide. Management options for land application of biosolids require a comprehensive characterization of both SS and SS-amended soils. The assessment of agricultural land in the study area for SS disposal was based on EU and national legislation. The evaluation revealed that agricultural land in the study area accounts for only 10% of the total area (25,736 ha), but only a quarter of the existing land (6065 ha) is suitable for biosolids application. Furthermore, the data indicate that the sewage sludge can be safely applied to the soil in terms of soil metals according to the Croatian legislation. The short-term potential of the soil to sustain this ecosystem service, namely soil improvement with biosolids, should be used to determine the inherent long-term potential based on resistance to soil degradation and resilience. However, caution is needed and the long-term effects should be investigated before biosolids are continuously used for soil application.

Suggested Citation

  • Vito Horvatić & Helena Bakić Begić & Davor Romić & Marko Černe & Smiljana Goreta Ban & Monika Zovko & Marija Romić, 2021. "Evaluation of Land Potential for Use of Biosolids in the Coastal Mediterranean Karst Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:10:p:1035-:d:648933
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fytili, D. & Zabaniotou, A., 2008. "Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods--A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 116-140, January.
    2. Maria Cristina Collivignarelli & Alessandro Abbà & Andrea Frattarola & Marco Carnevale Miino & Sergio Padovani & Ioannis Katsoyiannis & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Legislation for the Reuse of Biosolids on Agricultural Land in Europe: Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-22, October.
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    1. Nikola Major & Jasper Schierstaedt & Adam Schikora & Igor Palčić & Marko Černe & Smiljana Goreta Ban & Igor Pasković & Josipa Perković & Zoran Užila & Dean Ban, 2022. "Pyrolyzed or Composted Sewage Sludge Application Induces Short-Term Changes in the Terra Rossa Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-16, September.

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