Understanding the role of cellulose fiber on the dewaterability of simulated pulp and paper mill sludge

Plant biomass in the form of waste materials and by-products from various industries can be a valuable material for the production of composts and growing media for urban gardening. In this study, pulp and paper mill sludge, fruit-vegetable waste, mushroom spent substrate and rye straw were used to produce compost that was further used as a medium component in container cultivation of tomato. The plants were grown in containers with a capacity of 3 dm3 filled with three types of compost-based growing media supplemented with high peat, fen peat, pine bark and wood fiber. The tomato plants grown in 100% peat substrate served as controls. The plants grown in the compost-enriched media had a higher leaf greening index and percentage of ripe fruit, and exhibited an increased content of total polyphenols and flavonoids, potassium, calcium, magnesium and copper in fruit as compared with the control. The tomatoes grown in a medium consisting of 25% compost, 30% high peat, 15% low peat, 20% pine bark and 10% wood fiber reached the highest fresh fruit weight, total polyphenol content and L-ascorbic acid levels. This study demonstrated that the compost produced from natural materials from various sources was a valuable potting medium supplement with positive effects on tomato yield and nutritional value.

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Application of Composted Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge to a Young Pine Plantation

Journal of Environmental Quality ◽

10.2134/jeq2000.00472425002900020006x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 407-414 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

M. J. Jackson ◽

M. A. Line ◽

S. Wilson ◽

S. J. Hetherington

Keyword(s):

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Pine Plantation ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Paper Mill Sludge

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The Eutrophication of Pulp and Paper Wastewater Recipients

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1991.0497 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 24 (3-4) ◽

pp. 411-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Wartiovaara ◽

P. Heinonen

Keyword(s):

Biological Treatment ◽

Nutrient Loading ◽

Paper Industry ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper Industry ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Paper Wastewater ◽

The Cost

During recent years the BOD-loading of pulp and paper mill wastewaters has decreased dramatically, due to more effective circulation of water in the processes, and the new activated sludge biological treatment plants. This traditional threat to the environment has been forgotten by the scientists who nowadays are more interested in the role of chlorine compounds discharged from bleaching processes. However, eutrophication due to nutrient loading is still present in many recipients of pulp and paper industry. The BOD-reduction has often been carried out on the cost of adding nutrients, pnosphorus and nitrogen to the purification processes. The biological treatment has also decreased the inhibitive effect of wastewater on the biological production of the recipient water body. Therefore, the eutrophication arises immediatly. The authors worry about the research of nutrients; loadings, development trends and eutrophication effects.

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