Quantification of sterols, 5α- and 5β-stanols in sewage sludge, manure and soils amended with these both potential fertilizers

A method for the quantitative determination of sterols, 5α- and 5β-stanols is proposed to characterize the lipid fraction of two potential organic fertilizers, like sewage sludge and manure, as well as soils amended by them. It was possible to determine the kind of fertilizer added to the soil. Further studies were conducted to determine the accumulative effects of steroids in soils treated with manure and different doses of sewage sludge.