Risk of heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soil when livestock manure and organic waste is used for fertilisation

Summary

Increased use of livestock manure and organic waste within agriculture may cause soil accumulation of heavy metal. Sewage sludge and composted organic waste are important heavy metal sources. However, livestock manure is the major source of copper and zinc. Heavy metal balances calculations have shown that actual annual inputs of especially copper and zinc exceeds annual output considerably, which may create unacceptable soil concentrations of heavy metals in regions with dense livestock production.