Plant uptake of environmental contaminats when sewage sludge is used in the agriculture
The aim of the systematic review is to investigate the extent to which various environmental contaminats are taken up by plants when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. This knowledge is relevant for the environmental objectives a Non-toxic environment and zero eutrophication.
Ongoing research synthesis. The report is expected to be completed in 2026.
Background
Sewage sludge is the residual that is produced as a by-product during sewage treatment External link. of municipal wastewater. Sewage Sludge contains plant nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, and can be used as fertilizers on agricultural land. Unfortunately, some environmental contaminats also end up in the sewage sludge during the wastewater treatment process. These substances thus risk ending up on our fields and ultimately in our food.
It is known that sewage sludge contains various heavy metals and other undesirable substances, such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals and microplastics, but knowledge of how and to what extent crops absorb these substances is much more limited.
Methods
We compile the research in the field in the form of a systematic review. The aim of systematic reviews is to provide the most reliable answer possible to a well-defined question, based on all the research available on the issue. This requires an approach that is systematic, objective and transparent. We follow the guidelines for systematic reviews in the environmental field developed by the international organization Collaboration for Environmental Evidence. To ensure high scientific quality, we have engaged a group of expert researchers in the project. These scientists are responsible for the scientific assessment and analysis. You can read more about the process here.
Together with expert researchers, we have developed an implementation plan. In it, we describe the methods we will use and the delimitations we will make.
The systematic review will be carried out in collaboration with expert researchers and the final report will be reviewed by external experts. The report is expected to be completed in 2026.
Implementation plan: Plant uptake of environmental contaminats when sewage sludge is used in the agriculture
Formas report number: G3:2025
ISBN: 978-91-540-6244-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65059/formas2025.002 External link.
Language: English
Published: December 2025
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ External link.
Project group
Expert group
- Monica Odlare, Professor in Environmental Engineering, Mälardalen University
- Anna Kärrman, Professor in Chemistry, Örebro University
- Karin Hamnér, agronomist, AgrD in plant nutrition, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Michael Cimbritz, Associate Professor of Water and Wastewater Engineering, Lund University
From Formas
- Christel Hellberg, Project Manager
- Tanja I. Näslund, Assistant Project Manager
- Matilda Svensson, Information Specialist
- Henrik Scharin, Economist