scholarly journals Sludge Stabilization Process, Drying Depth and Polymeric Material Addition: Implication on Nitrogen Content, Selected Chemical Properties and Land Requirement in Sand Drying Beds

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6753
Author(s):  
Taruvinga Badza ◽  
Eyob H. Tesfamariam ◽  
Craig Cogger

Drying beds are a simple and economical means to dewater municipal sludge and are widely used in places with a suitable climate for air-drying. However, research-based information on drying thickness/drying depth effects on nutrient content and land size requirements for sludge drying is scarce. In this study, aerobically digested (AeD), and anaerobically digested without polymer (AnDP0) and with polymer (AnDP1) sludge types were dried in sand drying beds at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm depths in South Africa. Measured nitrogen (N) fractions and other parameters were more strongly influenced by sludge types than by drying depth. Total N content followed the order of AeD > AnDP1 > AnDP0. Polymeric material addition tended to increase total and inorganic N content and reduce the length of sludge drying period and land size requirement. The study showed that larger land size is required to dry sludge at shallower depths, even though the sludge dried more quickly. Drying sludge at 15 cm was the best option across sludge types in winter, taking an average land area between 261 and 383 m2 over the fewest days of sludge drying, whereas in spring, drying at 20 to 25 cm depth was most favorable. The findings suggest that drying bed management can be based on land area requirements with little concern for biosolid quality changes. For wastewater treatment plants relying on drying in beds, adding polymeric materials may be beneficial where land area for drying beds is limited, but not otherwise. Therefore, land availability is critical in decision making for sustainable sludge drying thickness.

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 801-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Karmakar ◽  
K. Brahmachari ◽  
A. Gangopadhyay ◽  
S. R. Choudhury

Generation of organic wastes has been increased in an unprecedented rate in India with rapid population expansion, leading to disposal problems. These organic wastes can be converted into valuable wealth by applying vermicomposting technology. Vermicompost which provides macro and micro nutrients to the plants, also reduces pollution by providing a valuable substitute for chemical fertilizers. Present paper deals with vermicomposting of organic wastes from seven different sources and evaluation of nutrient in those vermicomposts following chemical analyses. These seven sources include coconut coir, water hyacinth, mixed materials, cabbage, banana pseudostem, cow dung, and rice husk. Three composting species of earthworms e.g.Eisenia. fetida, Eudrilus. eugeniae, andPerionyx excavatuswere chosen for the experiment. Chemical analysis of vermicomposts under study clearly showed that the vermicompost from water hyacinth contained maximum amount of organic C, total N, and total K though the phosphorous content was maximum in vermicompost from mixed materials. Lowest nutrient content was observed in vermicompost of coconut coir. Vermicomposts from mixed materials, cabbage, banana pseudostem were at per in their chemical properties. It can be concluded that among the seven sources, vermicompost from water hyacinth is best for its nutrient value.


Author(s):  
Mercy Kamau Rewe ◽  
Esther Muindi ◽  
James Ndiso ◽  
Kevin Kinusu ◽  
Stephen Mailu ◽  
...  

Agricultural utilization of bioslurry plays a critical role in soil conditioning and hence crop production. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions thus mitigating climate change. Although the effect of bioslurry on growth and yields is well researched, that of different biodigester types is under-researched. Therefore, a study was carried out in Waruhiu Agricultural Training Centre, Githunguri sub-county, Kiambu county in Kenya, to investigate the effect of bioslurry from flexi and dome biodigesters on soil chemical properties, maize growth, yield and grain quality. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The treatments were bioslurry from both Fixed Dome and Flexi biodigesters, applied separately at a rate of 400mls per hill as basal and top dress fertilizer. Planting was done during the 2019 short and 2020 long rains, using Duma 43 maize variety. The agronomic (germination percentage, number of leaves, leaf width, leaf length, plant height) and productivity data (stalk, stovers, grain yields and grain quality) were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) through Proc general linear model (GLM) procedures. Mean separation was done using least square means (LS-Means). Results showed an increase in soil pH, total N and OC, exchangeable P, K, Mn and Na in both biodigester types. Total N and OC were higher in Dome treated soils by 38.89% and 37.00%, while in Flexi, it was 16.67% and 16.00% respectively. Exchangeable P and K was higher in Flexi treated soils with a 38.57% and 50.00% increase while in Dome it 37.86% and 47.22% respectively. Magnesium and Zn decreased after treatment by 34.30% and 22.59% in Dome while Flexi had 33.23% and 31.79% increase. Exchangeable Fe and acidity decreased in Dome but increased in Flexi treated soils. No statistical differences were observed on growth and yield parameters but Dome registered higher grain yields by 9.4% and 6.3% for short and long rains respectively. Flexi treated soils registered higher values in most grain nutrient content such as K, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in short rains and P, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in the long rains. Bioslurry from both biodigester types variably increased the evaluated soil chemical properties but decreased Mg and Zn. Despite the numerical differences noted between bioslurry from both biodigester types on maize growth and yield, there was no significant difference (p≤.05). However, Dome bioslurry increased N, OC and maize grain yield more while exchangeable P and K and most of the grain nutrient content were higher in Flexi treated soils. Therefore, bioslurry from either biodigester type can be used in enhancing soil conditions, growth, yield and quality of maize. However, a long-term experiment is required validate the findings.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Edward Wilczewski ◽  
Józef Sadkiewicz ◽  
Anna Piotrowska-Długosz ◽  
Lech Gałęzewski

Catch crop cultivation for green manure is considered to be a sustainable agricultural strategy whose main goal is to mitigate the negative effects of inappropriate plant sequent by increasing the soil biological activity, improving the nutrient content and reducing their loss from soil. Additionally, correct catch crop management is expected to improve the yield of consequent crops as well as their quality parameters. The effects of field pea when used as a catch crop, either incorporated in autumn or mulched and incorporated in spring vs. a control—without a catch crop on the soil chemical properties (total N, organic C, available forms of K and P) and the composition of spring barley grain and straw (total N, P, K, Ca) were studied for three years (2009 to 2011) in two-field, one-factor experiments, which were conducted on two different soil types (Luvisol and Phaeozem). The catch crop had no effect regarding the soil pH, soil organic C or total N content. In turn, applying a catch crop significantly affected the concentration of the available K (in both soils) and available P content (Phaeozem). The effect of a catch crop on the nutrients in the grain and straw of spring barley was associated with the soil type. In Luvisol, a catch crop, independent of its management, increased the total N and P in the grain and straw of spring barley. In Phaeozem, a catch crop that was incorporated in the autumn significantly increased the K content in grain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
S. Camera ◽  
T. Pineda-Vásquez ◽  
F. M. Bianchi ◽  
L. S. Martins ◽  
E. Virmond ◽  
...  

As communities grow, cities need to increase their capacity to collect and treat domestic wastewater. The need of larger domestic wastewater treatment plants and proper disposal of its solid waste has attracted the scientific community to research about new technologies that will use those systems and waste as a way to generate energy. The moisture content of a fuel effects the combustion products and the energy released by the reaction.  Therefore, in order to make biomass to be a viable fuel option, the technological and scientific challenges of the drying process of wastewater sludge must be faced and overcome so the lowest moisture content level is achieved. Conventional drying processes as for example, direct and indirect thermal drying, are commonly used. However, other processes using renewable energy as for example solar drying are also being studied by the scientist around the world. Moisture content, physical-chemical properties as for example, heating values, composition, ash fusibility are all relevant properties taken into consideration when choosing a fuel for a specific application. The herein review is intended to present some existing domestic wastewater drying processes, alternative ways of improving the efficiency of those processes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1042-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Brunetto ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ceretta ◽  
George Wellington Bastos de Melo ◽  
Eduardo Girotto ◽  
Paulo Ademar Avelar Ferreira

This study was carried out to evaluate the yield, total N content in leaves and must composition of grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon variety subjected to the application of urea and organic compost. Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines in Rosário do Sul, RS, Brazil, in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were subjected to annual application of 40 kg N ha-1 in the form of organic compost and urea, and compared to unfertilized grapevines. In the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 crop seasons, leaves were collected for analysis of total N content. At maturation of the grapes, the yield and quality attributes of the must were evaluated. The application of N sources, especially organic compost, increased the N content in the whole leaf at full flowering. Application of organic compost and urea has little effect on grape yield and does not affect the total nutrient content in the must, nor the enological attributes.


Author(s):  
Seda Erdoğan Bayram

This study was conducted to examine the soil fertility of the Büyük Menderes Basin, where wheat is widely cultivated. Soil samples were taken from 50 different points at a depth of 0-30 cm and various physical and chemical properties and amounts of nutrient elements were determined. With regard to the results of the study, the soils were generally sandy-clay-loam in texture, with slightly alkaline reaction, limy, rich in organic matter and showed no risk of salinity. The examined soils were found to be insufficient as 34% for total N, 14% for available K, 26% Mg, 10% Fe, 94% Zn and 98% Mn contents while all of the soils were determined as sufficient in terms of available P, Cu and Ca contents. When relationships between nutrient elements and soil physical-chemical properties were examined, negative correlations were found between soil pH and EC, organic matter, total N, available K, Zn; lime contents and available Mg, Fe, Cu; clay and available K and Mn contents. The positive correlations were found between EC and available K, Ca and Zn; organic matter % and total N, available K, Cu, Zn and Mn; sand % and available Mn; clay % and available Fe contents. Investigation of relationships between plant nutrients demonstrated that, there were positive correlations between total N and available K, Cu, Zn, Mn; available P and Zn; available K and Cu, Zn, Mn; available Ca and Fe; available Mg and Fe, Cu; available Fe and Cu, Mn; available Cu and Mn contents. The results of the study showed that attention should be paid to fertilization programs to fertilization with Zn and Mn, which were found to be insufficient in the greater part of the basin’s soils, and also to nitrogen deficiency is observed, as this directly affects the protein content of wheat.


2017 ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Berta Ratilla ◽  
Loreme Cagande ◽  
Othello Capuno

Organic farming is one of the management strategies that improve productivity of marginal uplands. The study aimed to: (1) evaluate effects of various organic-based fertilizers on the growth and yield of corn; (2) determine the appropriate combination for optimum yield; and (3) assess changes on the soil physical and chemical properties. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design, with 3 replications and 7 treatments, namely; T0=(0-0-0); T1=1t ha-1 Evans + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1; T2=t ha-1 Wellgrow + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1; T3=15t ha-1 chicken dung; T4=10t ha-1 chicken dung + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1; T5=15t ha-1 Vermicast; and T6=10t ha-1 Vermicast + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1. Application of organic-based fertilizers with or without inorganic fertilizers promoted growth of corn than the control. But due to high infestation of corn silk beetle(Monolepta bifasciata Horns), its grain yield was greatly affected. In the second cropping, except for Evans, any of these fertilizers applied alone or combined with 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 appeared appropriate in increasing corn earyield. Soil physical and chemical properties changed with addition of organic fertilizers. While bulk density decreased irrespective of treatments, pH, total N, available P and exchangeable K generally increased more with chicken dung application.


1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Chu ◽  
C. S. Poon ◽  
R. Y. H. Cheung

Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment (CEPT) or Chemically Assisted Primary Sedimentation (CAPS) is being employed at the new sewage work on Stonecutters Island as part of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS) in Hong Kong. CAPS involves the use of chemical coagulants (such as lime or ferric chloride) to induce coagulation or flocculation and let these finely-divided particles form large aggregates (floc) so that they can settle out within a reasonable period of time. In this study, five sludge samples collected from different sewage treatment plants in Hong Kong were physically and chemically characterized. They were chemically modified sludge from Stonecutters Island (CAPS) raw sludge from Tai Po and Yuen Long Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) (rTP & rYL) and anaerobically digested sludge from Tai Po and Yuen Long STP (dTP & dYL). It was found that CAPS sludge was better than other 4 sludge samples in terms of settleability and dewaterability. CAPS sludge contained significant higher amounts (p<0.01) of extractable compounds than other sludges (except NO3− for dTP, NH4+ and PO43− for dYL). The concentration of total N and P in CAPS sludge were significantly higher (p<0.01) than other sludges (except dYL). The concentrations of total Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr and K in the CAPS sludge were also significantly higher (p<0.01) than other sludge samples. Most of the metals (Cr, Pb, Cr and Zn) in CAPS sludge were associated with the organically-bounded phase. It is concluded that there are significant differences in both physical and chemical properties between the chemically modified sludge and biological treated sludges.


1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibeke R. Borregaard

In the upgrade of wastewater treatment plants to include biological nutrient removal the space available is often a limiting facor. It may be difficult to use conventional suspended growth processes (i.e. activated sludge) owing to the relatively large surface area required for these processes. Recent years have therefore seen a revived interest in treatment technologies using various types of attached growth processes. The “new” attached growth processes, like the Biostyr process, utilise various kinds of manufactured media, e.g. polystyrene granules, which offer a high specific surface area, and are therefore very compact. The Biostyr plants allow a combination of nitrification-denitrification and filtration in one and the same unit. The results obtained are 8 mg total N/l and an SS content normally below 10 mg/l. The plants in Denmark which have been extended with a Biostyr unit have various levels of PLC control and on-line instrumentation.


AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuren Li ◽  
Jincai Han ◽  
Haodong Bai ◽  
Di Peng ◽  
Lifeng Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractApplication of a novel bioorganic fertilizer (BIO) has been effectively used to inhibit weeds in rice paddies. To identify changes in soil bacterial community and enzymes in response to BIO treatments, field experiments were carried out in five major rice-growing areas in China. The dominant phylogenetic groups recorded included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Acidobacteria. Anaeromyxobacter, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia- Shigella, Geobacter and Haliangium were significantly different between BIO-treatment and untreated control and aided in general function (R), amino acid transport, metabolism (E) and transcription (K) clusters. The soil chemical properties and enzyme activities were less affected by BIO at these study sites. RDA analysis showed that soil bacterial community had a significant positive correlations among northern latitude, eastern longitude, exchangeable K, total K, total P, soil pH, and total N, except for organic matter, hydrolytic N and extractable P. Overall, our work showed that application of BIO does not alter the main community structure and functional diversity of soil bacteria in rice paddies and should be encouraged for use as a sustainable weed management strategy.


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