different approaches may be applied which are based on chemical, molecular, or
biological assays. Chemical assay as contaminant content analysis is not always
directly associated with soil toxicity due to the creation of toxic dead end or
intermediate metabolites. Thus ecotoxicological markers and bioassays are
recommended. Molecular markers include the analysis of soil enzymes activity or
quantification of genes sequences encoding mono- and dioxygenases. The analysis
of microbial structure changes and microbial density may also provide useful
information. Among bioassays the most popular are based on toxicity toward
bacteria, plants, and invertebrates. As single approach often does not ensure representative results thus battery of tests are applied.
In this chapter, composting of digestate mixed with TPH-contaminated soils has
been discussed as a promising double benefit solution: a way to increase digestate
quality and soil remediation strategy. Further studies investigating the fate of
digestate in the environment, efficiency of digestate application in bioremediation
treatments, and effect on soil microbial communities still need to be performed.
Acknowledgment The authors acknowledge the financial support from the European Union’s
Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement
No. 643071 (“Advanced Biological Waste-to-Energy Technologies—ABWET”).
References
Abdullahi YA, Akunna JC, White NA, Hallett PD, Wheatley R (2008) Investigating the effects of
anaerobic and aerobic post-treatment on quality and stability of organic fraction of municipal
solid waste as soil amendment. Bioresour Technol 99:8631–8636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
biortech.2008.04.027
Aemig Q, Chéron C, Delgenès N, Jimenez J, Houot S, Steyer J-P, Patureau D (2016) Distribution of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge organic matter pools as a driving force of
their fate during anaerobic digestion. Waste Manag 48:389–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
wasman.2015.11.045
Alfa MI, Adie DB, Igboro SB, Oranusi US, Dahunsi SO, Akali DM (2014) Assessment of
biofertilizer quality and health implications of anaerobic digestion effluent of cow dung and
chicken droppings. Renew Energy 63:681–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.09.049
Appels L, Baeyens J, Degrève J, Dewil R (2008) Principles and potential of the anaerobic digestion
of waste-activated sludge. Prog Energy Combust Sci 34(6):755–781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
pecs.2008.06.002
Atlas RM, Hazen TC (2011) Oil biodegradation and bioremediation: a tale of the two worst spills in
U.S. history. Environ Sci Technol 45:6709–6715. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2013227
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) (1999) Toxicological profile for total
petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). U.S Department of Health and Human Services Public Health
Service. Available https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id¼424&tid¼75
Baboshin MA, Golovleva LA (2012) Aerobic bacterial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its kinetic aspects. Microbiology 81:639–650. https://doi.org/10.1134/
S0026261712060021
Bagge E, Sahlström L, Albihn A (2005) The effect of hygienic treatment on the microbial flora of
biowaste at biogas plants. Water Res 39:4879–4886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2005.03.
016
274
A. Gielnik et al.
biological assays. Chemical assay as contaminant content analysis is not always
directly associated with soil toxicity due to the creation of toxic dead end or
intermediate metabolites. Thus ecotoxicological markers and bioassays are
recommended. Molecular markers include the analysis of soil enzymes activity or
quantification of genes sequences encoding mono- and dioxygenases. The analysis
of microbial structure changes and microbial density may also provide useful
information. Among bioassays the most popular are based on toxicity toward
bacteria, plants, and invertebrates. As single approach often does not ensure representative results thus battery of tests are applied.
In this chapter, composting of digestate mixed with TPH-contaminated soils has
been discussed as a promising double benefit solution: a way to increase digestate
quality and soil remediation strategy. Further studies investigating the fate of
digestate in the environment, efficiency of digestate application in bioremediation
treatments, and effect on soil microbial communities still need to be performed.
Acknowledgment The authors acknowledge the financial support from the European Union’s
Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement
No. 643071 (“Advanced Biological Waste-to-Energy Technologies—ABWET”).
References
Abdullahi YA, Akunna JC, White NA, Hallett PD, Wheatley R (2008) Investigating the effects of
anaerobic and aerobic post-treatment on quality and stability of organic fraction of municipal
solid waste as soil amendment. Bioresour Technol 99:8631–8636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
biortech.2008.04.027
Aemig Q, Chéron C, Delgenès N, Jimenez J, Houot S, Steyer J-P, Patureau D (2016) Distribution of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge organic matter pools as a driving force of
their fate during anaerobic digestion. Waste Manag 48:389–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
wasman.2015.11.045
Alfa MI, Adie DB, Igboro SB, Oranusi US, Dahunsi SO, Akali DM (2014) Assessment of
biofertilizer quality and health implications of anaerobic digestion effluent of cow dung and
chicken droppings. Renew Energy 63:681–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.09.049
Appels L, Baeyens J, Degrève J, Dewil R (2008) Principles and potential of the anaerobic digestion
of waste-activated sludge. Prog Energy Combust Sci 34(6):755–781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
pecs.2008.06.002
Atlas RM, Hazen TC (2011) Oil biodegradation and bioremediation: a tale of the two worst spills in
U.S. history. Environ Sci Technol 45:6709–6715. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2013227
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) (1999) Toxicological profile for total
petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). U.S Department of Health and Human Services Public Health
Service. Available https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id¼424&tid¼75
Baboshin MA, Golovleva LA (2012) Aerobic bacterial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its kinetic aspects. Microbiology 81:639–650. https://doi.org/10.1134/
S0026261712060021
Bagge E, Sahlström L, Albihn A (2005) The effect of hygienic treatment on the microbial flora of
biowaste at biogas plants. Water Res 39:4879–4886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2005.03.
016
274
A. Gielnik et al.