Stability and transportability of biosolid colloids through undisturbed soil monoliths

This study evaluated the stability of water-suspended biosolid colloids fractionated from municipal and agricultural wastes and their transportability through undisturbed soil monoliths. The aim of the study was to assess potential risks posed by dispersed biosolid colloid particles as carriers of contaminants associated with organic waste amendments applied to soils. All biosolid colloids showed remarkable stability over a wide range of pH conditions, with 50–90% remaining in suspension after 24 h. Lime-stabilized biosolid colloids (LSB) were more stable than poultry manure (PMB) and aerobically digested (ADB) biosolid colloids, with pH and organic matter (OM) content being the dominant factors influencing colloid stability. However, increased colloid stability did not always result in greater transportability. In spite of their higher overall stability, LSB colloids showed low transportability potential through undisturbed soil monoliths averaging < 0.1C/C0, probably due to carbonate dissolution and increased ionic interaction with the soil matrix. The ADB and PMB colloids, with the highest OM content, exhibited increased mobility, particularly through soils with significant macroporosity. Breakthrough curves were mostly irregular, suggesting considerable macropore flow and increased interaction with the soil matrix. Eluent pH and EC fluctuations appeared to mainly affect LSB colloid transport, while the mobility of the remaining biosolid colloids was maintained over a wide range of ionic conditions. The findings of this study suggest that some biosolid colloids derived from soil-applied agricultural or municipal wastes may exhibit considerable mobility through soil macropores with potential to migrate to great distances in subsoil environments. Considering the high surface charge and electronegativity of these colloids, they may be a significant vector for hydrophobic contaminant transport and pollution of groundwater resources.