Exploring the Potential of Co-Application of Sewage Sludge, Chinese Medicinal Herbal Residues and Biochar in Minimizing Human Exposure to Antibiotics Contamination in Edible Crops
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript “Exploring the potential of co-application of sewage sludge, Chinese medicinal herbal residues and biochar in minimizing human exposure to antibiotics contamination in edible crops” is within the scope of the journal but some minor changes should be addressed:
1. Please insert the references in the text according to journal instructions.
2. I recommend to extend the introduction section. It will be interesting to discuss briefly about other potential use of sewage sludge as materials with add value (please see https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157139).
3. Try to use insert equation and counting where is necessary.
4. Please make the figures more readable.
5. I recommend the authors to mention how it was checked the reproducibility and the repeatability of the experiments.
6. Please rewrite the references according to journal instructions.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
In this article, the authors presented research the potential of co-application of sewage sludge, Chinese medicinal herbal residues and biochar in minimizing human exposure six types of antibiotics contamination in edible crops. The topic taken up by the authors and the data obtained are interesting.
1. The abstract should be a total of about 200 words maximum.
2. Line 171-176 - please add references from which the BCF, TF equations were taken.
3. Check the instructions for authors - References throughout the manuscript should be corrected - In the text, reference numbers should be placed in square brackets [ ].
4. Line 181- please add references from which the EDI equations were taken and adjust the indentation accordingly.
5. It is important to check that the writing text clearly expresses and explains each idea and result obtained.
6. The conclusions needs improvement - highlight the most important findings and identify the added value of the main finding.
7. Please add DOI links in your reference list.
8. References to literature. No references to articles in the journal Sustainability to which the authors submitted their manuscript. Please add articles from this journal to emphasize that the submitted manuscript is a good match.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Review of paper: sustainability-2162244
Entitled: “Exploring the potential of co-application of sewage sludge, Chinese medicinal herbal residues and biochar in minimizing human exposure to antibiotics contamination in edible crops”.
Title: Compatible with the main scope of the research conducted.
Abstract: Concise presented in an understandable and comprehensive way.
Introduction: Informative as it is based on up-to-date references which giving information about the aim of paper.
Materials and methods: The description of the experimental application was accurate and detailed. The analytical methods of the experiment presented systematically, comprehensively and they are given in a reproducible way so that they can be used by anyone who would be interested.
It would be useful if in paragraph "2.3. Greenhouse pot experiment' referred the season or day length - photoperiod of the experiment.
Results & Discussion:
The research aim which is to study the effectiveness of the soil 'amendments' in reducing the exposure risk in contaminated soils with human antibiotics on test of tomato cultivation. The presentation of the study is well constructed and the research question was answered.
Concluding comments: This paper is interesting and, in our opinion, could be accepted for publication.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
The comments are addressed properly and necessary corrections have been done. The manuscript can be accepted.
