Summary
This 20-year field study examined the risk of silver transfer from sewage sludge-amended soils to the terrestrial food chain. Using soil and crop data, the authors found that despite long-term applications, the transfer of silver (from both traditional industrial sources and contemporary nano-silver) to food crops remains limited, suggesting low food safety risk from this pathway.
UK applicability
The findings are potentially relevant to UK agricultural practice, particularly regarding recycling of organic waste streams through land application. However, the applicability depends on the study location; if conducted outside the UK, local soil properties, climate, and regulatory contexts may differ.
Key measures
Silver concentrations and speciation in soil and food crops; bioavailability of Ag; transfer from soil to food chain after 20 years of sewage sludge amendment
Outcomes reported
The study assessed the bioavailability and food chain transfer of silver (Ag) from long-term sewage sludge application to soil. The research evaluated whether Ag from both conventional and nano-silver sources poses a significant risk to terrestrial food systems.
Topic tags
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