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Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 March 2023) | Viewed by 14153

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Dr. Stefania Nin

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Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Via dei Fiori 8, 51017 Pescia, PT, Italy
Interests: enhancement of biodiversity; in vitro culture and germplasm conservation; development of environmentally friendly cultivation systems; ornamental crops
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Dear Colleagues,

Sediments are heterogeneous materials composed of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter that accumulate at the bottom of water bodies as the result of physical, chemical, and biological processes, both natural and anthropogenic. Sediments originate in river basins mainly through land and channel erosion processes and are transported in river systems in the direction of the coast, with the seas and oceans being the final sink. Temporary deposition can take place in reservoirs, lakes, and behind dams, while important impacted areas downstream include wetlands, deltas, and harbors. Human activities can affect marine sediments by accelerating the rate of accumulation and introducing contamination (such as heavy metals, nutrient pesticides, and other organic micropollutants). Sediments can be contaminated by industries located in or upstream of urban ports, industries that discharge wastes into waterways, dense populations, remote sources, such as stormwater runoff, and suburban or agricultural effluents containing heavy metals, oil, pesticides, and fertilizers. An excessive accumulation of sediments can limit the functionality of naval waters (harbor, haven, roadstead, channel, creek, bay, or navigable river) conditioning commercial exchanges and industrial activities. Hence, sediments are periodically excavated to ensure proper and safe navigability, and major concerns have arisen over where to dispose of this dredged material and the ecological impacts of such a solution.

Being a natural resource originating from the ecological processes, dredged materials might be relocated in open waters or in sandy eroded areas to mitigate the effect of atmospheric agents toward the coastal zone or as topsoil into the environment to recover and enhance marginal, degraded land, poor in organic matter or nutrients. Properly remediated sediment might also be reused as a component of growing media for soilless crop production other than typical horticultural substrates, such as peat, coir pith, coconut fiber, etc. The main concern limiting the destination of dredged sediments on land for environmental restoration, landscaping, agricultural purposes, or gardening lies in their extent of the contamination. Currently, the management of dredged sediments falls under three main European directives (Water, Natural Habitats, and Waste), which are focused on ecological and sanitary commitment, that is, the protection of the aquatic environment and water quality, as well as marine plants and animal species. Ecotoxicological parameters and admitted thresholds of concentration values vary greatly according to a country within the European Community, without specifically establishing the possible sediment post-dredging reuse and/or destination. On one hand, the legislation aims to protect the environment, but on the other, it lacks strategies that direct toward the recovery of sediments and their reuse according to their physical, chemical, and ecotoxicological characteristics.

In this Special Issue, we are looking for scientific contributions (i.e., articles, reviews, and short notes) that deal with the recovery and reuse of sediments dredged from rivers, lakes, ports, and coastal areas for environmental and agronomic purposes. Examples include research that provides strategic solutions to improve unproductive and marginal land, increase soil fertility, and promote soilless crop cultivation using peat-alternative substrates. Moreover, studies evaluating the presence of contaminants and the ecological status of waterways, wetlands, and estuarine systems, as well as the environmental impacts (i.e., life cycle assessment) of dredged material management alternatives or identifying existing relevant legislative and regulatory barriers related to the sediment management are welcome.

This Special Issue will focus on:

Sediment uses as resources in circular and territorial economies
Reuse of sediment into the environment for restoration projects
Reuse of remediated sediment for crop cultivation and production
Sustainable management of the beneficial use of sediments
Remediation technologies for contaminated sediments
A better understanding of the benefits and risks of using dredged material
Legislation issues and adaptation to enable the use of dredged material

Dr. Stefania Nin
Guest Editor

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Keywords

dredged sediment
remediation
circular economy
sediment fertility
peat-free substrates
contamination
environmental impact
legal issues

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 62100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Repurposing Dredged Canal Sediment for Topsoil at Bowling, Scotland

by Keith Torrance, Richard Alastair Lord, Alasdair Hamilton and Paul Berry

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9261; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129261 - 8 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1196

Abstract

The aim of the SURICATES (Sediment Uses as Resources in Circular And Territorial EconomieS) Project is to increase sediment reuse for erosion and flood protection. To investigate potential opportunities to reuse dredged sediments as topsoil following phyto-conditioning, a pilot scale operation was undertaken at Bowling, Scotland. As part of normal maintenance, 550 m³ of wet sediment was removed from the Forth and Clyde Canal at Old Kilpatrick by Scottish Canals using a hydraulic excavator during September 2020, transported by barge, then transferred to a dewatering cell constructed in an old canal basin by lining with a geotextile break-layer and installing engineered drainage. Following initial dewatering, the sediment was sown with three varieties of grass, which each germinated and survived the winter. By March 2021 composite soil samples already met the BS 3882:2015 criteria for topsoil, other than for Zn levels, which reflected the locally elevated baseline values. This allowed the conditioned sediment to be used immediately as topsoil as part of the nearby construction of a long-distance cycle track following an old railway embankment. Following reuse, replicated validations of six grass or wildflower seed mixtures were sown in April 2021 and monitored to verify longer-term suitability as a landscaping soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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13 pages, 2608 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Occurrence and Assessment of Organic Pollutants Residues in the Aquatic Environment of the Coastal Sediments

by Sadeq Abdullah Abdo Alkhadher, Suhaimi Suratman and Mohamad Pauzi Zakaria

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8365; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108365 - 22 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1760

Abstract

The current study aimed to monitor organic pollution on island and coastal environments using linear alkylbenzene (LAB). The aquatic environment is affected by the hazardous chemicals discharged through domestic and industrial waste. The distribution, composition, and sources of LABs in the sediments of Port Dickson coast and Pulau Merambong were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Chains ranging from long to short (L/S), C₁₃/C₁₂ homologs, and internal to external (I/E) congeners were used to define the degradation rate of LABs and the efficacy of wastewater treatment plants. The results of this study revealed that the concentration of LABs in the sites under investigation varied from 67.4 in Pulau Merambong to 255.8 ng g⁻¹dw, in Port Dickson. The LAB homologs had a significant difference and a significant percentage of sampling stations had C₁₃-LAB homologs. According to the determined LAB ratios (I/E), which ranged from 1.6 in Pulau Merambong to 4.1 in Port Dickson, treated effluents from primary and secondary inputs are being introduced into the aquatic ecosystem of these areas. The degradation of LABs was up to 64% in the interrogated locations. The conclusion is that the wastewater treatment system needs to be improved, and that LAB molecular markers are highly effective in tracing anthropogenic sewage contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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20 pages, 6674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Innovative Sediment-Based Growing Media on Fruit Quality of Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.)

by Edgardo Giordani, Lorenzo Bini, Daniele Bonetti, William Antonio Petrucci, Grazia Masciandaro, Giacomo Chini and Stefania Nin

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7338; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097338 - 28 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1113

Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess the quality attributes of the fruits of wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) “Regina delle Valli” plants cultivated in pots in remediated-sediment-based growing media (GM). For this purpose, phytoremediated and landfarmed dredged sediment from Leghorn Harbor (Italy) was mixed into a peat-based commercial substrate at different volume/volume percentages (0, 50 and 100%), and the plants were grown under greenhouse conditions with two different water regimes (WR1 = 950 cc/day; WR2 = 530 cc/day). The fruit quality parameters were differentially affected by the main factors (GM and WR) and their combinations. The fruits obtained from the substrate richest in treated sediment and with the higher water regime (TS100-WR1) showed the highest content of sugars (4056, 5256 and 5178 mg/100 g FW of sucrose, glucose and fructose, respectively), total soluble solids (16 °Brix) and organic acids (30, 490 and 2300 mg/100 g FW of ascorbic, malic and citric acid, respectively). Neither the polyphenol content nor the DPPH radical scavenging activity were significantly affected by the treatments, although the TS100-WR1 plants showed the highest DPPH value (an inhibition of 0.71%). Among the analyzed organic contaminants, only total heavy hydrocarbons (C10–C40) were found in fruits from TS50 and TS100 at very low values, while heavy metals were not detected. The PCA statistical multivariate analysis performed on the visual, olfactory, chewing and tasting aspects of a sensorial evaluation clearly showed that the substrate’s chemical–physical properties exerted a relevant influence on the fruit samples, while the irrigation regimes did not affect significantly fruit quality parameters. A number of highly correlated soil/fruit parameters were found. The remediated sediment proved to be a valid alternative to peat for wild strawberry production, even at the highest concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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28 pages, 5391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growing ‘Genovese’ and ‘Valentino’ Basil in Pots Using Peat Substrate Combined with Phytoremediated Sediment: Effects on Yield and Nutraceutical Content

by Stefania Nin, Lorenzo Bini, Maurizio Antonetti, Davide Manzi and Daniele Bonetti

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7314; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097314 - 27 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1335

Abstract

Climate change is causing a decline in the availability of crucial resources such as water and fertile soil, leading to a detrimental impact on crop yields. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), an annual aromatic plant used worldwide for culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes, is especially at risk due to its high water demand and specific growing requirements typical of the Mediterranean climate. In Italy, basil is an essential part of any herb garden and is also commonly found in households as a potted plant. Nowadays, the conventional practice of growing basil in pots with peat as the primary medium is not environmentally sustainable, which underscores the need for alternative and sustainable cultivation techniques to ensure the continued growth of this majestic king of herbs. A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted to study the impact of peat replacement and reduced water supply on the growth and biochemical traits of basil plants. The study included two cultivars (‘Genovese’ and ‘Valentino’), three substrate mixes with phytoremediated dredged sediment (TS) at varying volume percentages (0%, 12.5%, and 25%), and three levels of water irrigation (normal, reduced by 25%, and reduced by 37.8%). Increasing the TS percentage resulted in higher germination rates and greater biomass production in both cultivars compared with the control. ‘Valentino’ potted plants produced a higher yield than those of ‘Genovese’, while the latter had higher pigment contents due to its genetic characteristics. All combinations of substrates mixed with the highest water amounts of irrigation positively impacted seed germination and biomass-based outputs, while control peat with reduced water availability led to lower plant yields and germination capacity. Substrates with TS had suitable physicochemical characteristics for plant development. Our findings suggest that using peat–TS mixtures can produce quality results comparable to or even better than conventional soilless culture using only peat. Thus, replacing peat with moderate percentages of TS can be an effective and sustainable practice for recycling phytoremediated sediments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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14 pages, 1698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Posidonia-Based Compost and Dredged Sediment in Growing Media Improve Tolerance and Nutrient Uptake in Ornamental Plants

by Francesca Vannucchi, Cristina Macci, Serena Doni, Vincenzo Longo, Francesca Ugolini, Grazia Masciandaro and Eleonora Peruzzi

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14419; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114419 - 3 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1441

Abstract

Because of the high costs and environmental impacts of peat and chemical fertilizers, the search for sustainable alternatives is increasing. Posidonia-based compost (C) has been widely tested as a growing media, while the combination with decontaminated dredged sediments (S) has only recently been studied. Moreover, little information is available on the relationship between plants and growing media. In this work, the suitability of growing media (CS) composed of 100% C, 70% C + 30% S and 30% C + 70% S were investigated compared to peat, for ornamental plants (Elaeagnus macrophylla, Photinia × fraseri and Viburnum tinus). Plant growth, physiological, nutritional and antioxidant responses were also investigated. The CS were compliant with current legislation on growing media. The Cu (+60%; +70%), Mg (+11%; +23%) and Ca (+66%; +72%) concentrations were higher in CS with 30% and 70% of S, respectively, than peat. The plants growing in CS had lower antioxidant activities than those on peat, suggesting a better plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In conclusion, the use of CS growing media, especially those with 30% and 70% of S, can be a valuable strategy to replace peat and reduce the application of fertilizers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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17 pages, 1390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Cycle Assessment of Management Scenarios for Dredged Sediments: Environmental Impacts Caused during Landfilling and Soil Conditioning

by Laura Ferrans, Alexander Nilsson, Frank Schmieder, Divya Pal, Mahboubeh Rahmati-Abkenar, Marcia Marques and William Hogland

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013139 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1866

Abstract

The management of dredged sediments is a challenging issue since it involves the interconnection of complex economic, social, technical and environmental aspects. The EU LIFE SURE project aimed to apply a more sustainable dredging technique to Malmfjärden Bay in Kalmar/Sweden (a shallow urban water body with a high content of nutrients) and, additionally, it involved beneficial uses for the dredged material, in line with the circular economy concept. To achieve this, a life cycle assessment (LCA) study was carried out to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with two scenarios: sediment landfilling (S1) and soil conditioning (S2). This LCA study also aimed to evaluate and compare the costs related to each scenario. S1 contemplated the construction and operation of the landfill for 100 years, including the collection and discharge of leachate and biogas. S2 included the use of sediments in soils and the avoidance of producing and using fertilisers. Results showed that (S2) soil conditioning (total impact: −6.4 PE) was the scenario with fewer environmental impacts and the best economic evaluation. The S2 scenario was mainly related to the positive environmental savings produced by reducing fertiliser consumption (which also avoided purchase costs). However, S2 was also linked to potential negative effects associated with eutrophication and toxicity categories of impacts due to the possible spread of nutrients and pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In order to mitigate this problem, the sediments could be pre-treated to reduce their risk of pollution. Moreover, the main impact of the landfilling scenario (S1, total impact: 1.6 PE) was the emission of global warming-contributing gases during the operation of the facility. Implementing the soil conditioning scenario was therefore recommended, in line with the aim of the LIFE SURE project. Finally, it was recommended that LCA studies should be applied more often in the future when selecting beneficial uses for dredged sediments. The decision-making process is facilitated when the positive and negative impacts produced by each handling option are considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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16 pages, 1556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Phytoremediated Port Sediment as an Agricultural Medium for Pomegranate Cultivation: Mobility of Contaminants in the Plant

by Juan José Martínez-Nicolás, Pilar Legua, Francisca Hernández, Rafael Martínez-Font, Edgardo Giordani and Pablo Melgarejo

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9661; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179661 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

Although the dredging of ports is a necessary management activity, it generates immense quantities of sediments, that are defined by the European Union as residues. On the other hand, the relevant peat demand for plant cultivation compromises its availability worldwide. In this context, the present work wanted to find an alternative substrate in order to replace and/or reduce the use of peat in agriculture, through the study of the suitability, concerning the exchange of substrate–plant–water pollutants, of the dredged remediated sediments as a fruit-growing media. Forty-five pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L. cv “Purple Queen”) were cultivated in three types of substrates (100% peat as a control, 100% dredged remediated sediments and 50% both mixed). The metal ion content and pesticide residues were analysed in the different plant parts (root, stem, leaves and fruits) and in drainage water. The results showed a limited transfer of pollutants. All the pollutants were below the legal limits, confirming that the dredged sediments could be used as a growing media, alone or mixed with other substrates. Thus, the results point out the need to open a European debate on the reuse and reconsideration of this residue from a circular economy point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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12 pages, 1249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of LCA Methodology to the Production of Strawberry on Substrates with Peat and Sediments from Ports

by Pilar Legua, Francisca Hernández, Francesca Tozzi, Rafael Martínez-Font, David Jorquera, Caridad Rosique Jiménez, Edgardo Giordani, Juan José Martínez-Nicolás and Pablo Melgarejo

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6323; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116323 - 2 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2622

Abstract

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to identify the potential environmental impact of dredged sediments used as growing media for food crops. The dredged sediments used came from Livorno port and were previously phytoremediated. For the assay, strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch vr. ‘San Andreas’) were used. The plants were cultivated on three different substrates (100% peat, 100% dredged sediment and 50% mix peat/sediment) to identify the real impact of the culture media on the growing process. LCA was calculated and analyzed according to ISO 14040:2006 by SimaPro software. ReCipe Midpoint (E) V1.13/Europe Recipe E method was applied. One kilogram of produced strawberry, for each crop media tested, was defined as the functional unit. Eighteen impact categories were selected where Marine Eutrophication (ME), Human Toxicity (HT) and Freshwater Ecotoxicity (FET) were identified as relevant impact categories. The LCA results showed an increase in the environmental impact of strawberry cultivation using 100% sediment against 100% peat, due to the decrease in fruit production caused by the sediment. Nevertheless, the decrease in the environmental impact and the fruit production increase identified when the sediment is used mixed (<50%) with other substrates. The appropriate use of these substrates would be justified within the context of the circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainable Reuse of Sediments in Crop Production: Agronomic, Environmental, and Legal Issues)

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