Use of the Tellus geochemical dataset to map areas where sewage sludge can be disposed of in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Sewage sludge has a fertilising value when applied to agricultural land or forest. However, due to the presence of potentially toxic heavy metals in the sludge, disposal of sewage sludge on agricultural soils in Northern Ireland is subject to an EU directive to protect animal and human health. The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 implement the European Communities Council Directive No. 86/278/EEC (OJ No. L181/6) on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. Over the period 2004-2006, the Tellus Project measured and assessed the environmental well-being of Northern Ireland using modern mapping techniques. There were two aspects to the project, one a geochemical survey, the other geophysical. The geochemical data from the survey were used to map areas of the province where sewage sludge should not be spread