https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index en-au 5 https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:34995 −1 biosolids for ≤50, 50–100, 100–250, 250–1000 μm size fractions, respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images illustrated wrinkled and fractured surfaces due to degradation. The adsorption of dissolved organic matter onto microbeads was confirmed through FT-IR microscopy, while using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) the presence of trace metals including Cd (2.34 ng g⁻¹), Cu (180.64 ng g⁻¹), Ni (12.69 ng g⁻¹), Pb (1.17 ng g⁻¹), Sb (14.43 ng g⁻¹), and Zn (178.03 ng g⁻¹) was revealed. Surface modified microbeads were capable of adsorbing Cu compared to the pure microbeads, which may be attributed to the complexation of Cu with dissolved organic matter associated with the microbeads in the matrix. It was further revealed that the biosolids derived microbead-metal complexes decreased soil respiration (up to ∼ 26%) and dehydrogenase activity (up to ∼ 39%). Hence, microbeads reaching biosolids during wastewater treatment are likely to serve as a vector for trace element contamination, transportation, and toxicity when biosolids are applied to soil.]]> Wed 29 May 2019 11:33:56 AEST ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:36343 Wed 01 Apr 2020 13:32:39 AEDT ]]>