scholarly journals Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12591
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Collivignarelli ◽  
Marco Carnevale Miino ◽  
Francesca Maria Caccamo ◽  
Chiara Milanese
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Sludge Properties ◽  
Collection Methods

Interest in the presence of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater has grown significantly in recent years. In fact, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent the last barrier before the discharge of MPs into an aquatic ecosystem. The research has highlighted how MPs are in part effectively removed from the waters and accumulated inside the sewage sludge (SeS) produced by the WWTP, being a cause for concern, especially in the case of agricultural reuse. This work aims to analyze the existing literature on the (i) methodical procedure for MPs analysis (thermal, spectroscopic, optical analyses), (ii) qualitative and quantitative presence of MPs in SeS, (iii) effect on sludge properties, and (iv) the possible accumulation in amended soils. Based on the results already obtained in the literature, this work aims to provide critical insights to stimulate interest in the topic and direct future research on aspects that should be deepened. In particular, it emerges that there is a clear need for standardization of the collection methods and the analytical techniques for identifying and quantifying MPs, since their physico-chemical characterization and the study on aging and on the response towards acid or basic pre-treatments are fundamental for the understanding of microplastics ecotoxicological potential.

scholarly journals Catalytic liquefaction of sewage sludge to small molecular weight chemicals

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuehu Wang ◽  
Feihong Tian ◽  
Peimei Guo ◽  
Dazhen Fu ◽  
Hero Jan Heeres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Conversion Rate ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Small Molecular Weight ◽  
Set Up

Abstract The catalytic hydrotreatment of sewage sludge, the wet solid byproducts from wastewater treatment plants, using supported Ir, Pt, Pd, Ru catalysts had been investigated with different solvent conditions. Reactions were carried out in a batch set-up at elevated temperatures (400 °C) using a hydrogen donor (formic acid (FA) in isopropanol (IPA) or hydrogen gas), with sewage sludge obtained from different sampling places. Sewage sludge conversions of up to 83.72% were achieved using Pt/C, whereas the performance for the others catalysts is different and solvent had a strong effect on the conversion rate and product constitution. The sewage sludge oils were characterised using a range of analytical techniques (GC, GC–MS, GCxGC, GPC) and were shown to consist of monomers, mainly alkanes and higher oligomers.

Sludge minimization by disintegration at different wastewater treatment plants

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luchien Luning ◽  
Paul Roeleveld ◽  
Victor W.M. Claessen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Degradation ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Sludge Minimization

In recent years new technologies have been developed to improve the biological degradation of sewage sludge by anaerobic digestion. The paper describes the results of a demonstration of ultrasonic disintegration on the Dutch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Land van Cuijk. The effect on the degradation of organic matter is presented, together with the effect on the dewatering characteristics. Recommendations are presented for establishing research conditions in which the effect of sludge disintegration can be determined in a more direct way that is less sensitive to changing conditions in the operation of the WWTP. These recommendations have been implemented in the ongoing research in the Netherlands supported by the National Institute for wastewater research (STOWA).

PCDD/F, PAH and heavy metals in the sewage sludge from six wastewater treatment plants in Beijing, China

Chemosphere ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayin Dai ◽  
Muqi Xu ◽  
Jiping Chen ◽  
Xiangping Yang ◽  
Zhenshan Ke
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Beijing China

Characterization of Sewage Sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plants in Alexandria

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-542
Author(s):  
Olfat El-Sebaie ◽  
Ahmed Hussein ◽  
Mohamed Ramadan ◽  
Magda Abd El-Atty ◽  
Helaly Helaly
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants

scholarly journals Effect of sewage sludge type on the partitioning behaviour of pharmaceuticals: a meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Berthod ◽  
G. Roberts ◽  
A. Sharpe ◽  
D. C. Whitley ◽  
R. Greenwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Environmental Regulation ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ◽  
Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Understanding the partitioning behaviour of active pharmaceutical ingredients between sludge and aqueous phases in wastewater treatment plants is important for environmental regulation.

scholarly journals Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela CIUPEANU CĂLUGĂRU
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Biological Sludge ◽  
The Law ◽  
High Degree

For turning to a high degree of favorability of sludge from wastewater treatment plants, currently the reintroduction in the natural circuit of this waste is an urgent priority. Knowing precisely the composition of chemical and biological sludge from waste water in accordance with the law and the rules of their application, along with modern wastewater treatment appropriate technologies play a key role on environmental protection. Involvement by precise rules, the content of heavy metals in relation to the maximum permitted by law, translate in to particularly advantageous results in terms of environmental quality.

scholarly journals Temporal variability of sewage sludge heavy metal content from Greek wastewater treatment plants

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Spanos ◽  
Antoaneta Ene ◽  
Chrysoula Styliani Patronidou ◽  
Christina Xatzixristou
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Chromium Species ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Metal Contents

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal variations of selected heavy metals level in anaerobic fermented and dewatered sewage sludge. Sewage sludge samples were collected in different seasons and years from three municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in Northern Greece, in Kavala (Kavala and Palio localities) and Drama (Drama locality) Prefectures. An investigation of the potential of sludge utilization in agriculture was performed, based on the comparison of average total heavy metal concentrations and of chromium species (hexavalent, trivalent) concentrations with the allowed values according to the Council Directive 86/278/EEC and Greek national legislation (Joint Cabinet Decision 80568/4225/91) guidelines. In this regard, all the investigated heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg) and chromium species Cr(VI) and Cr(III) have average concentrations (dry matter weight) well below the legislated thresholds for soil application, as following: 2.12 mg kg−1Cd; 103.7 mg kg−1Cr; 136.4 mg kg−1Cu; < 0.2 mg kg−1Hg; 29.1 mg kg−1Ni; 62.0 mg kg−1Pb; 1253.2 mg kg−1Zn; 1.56 mg kg−1Cr(VI) and 115.7 mg kg−1Cr(III). Values of relative standard deviation (RSD) indicate a low or moderate temporal variability for domestic-related metals Zn (10.3-14.7%), Pb (27.9-44.5%) and Cu (33.5-34.2%), and high variability for the metals of mixed origin or predominantly resulted from commercial activities, such as Ni (42.4-50.7%), Cd (44.3-85.5%) and Cr (58.2-102.0%). For some elements the seasonal occurrence pattern is the same for Kavala and Palio sludge, as following: a) Cd and Cr: spring>summer>winter; b) Cu, Ni and Pb: winter>spring>summer. On average, in summer months (dry season) metal concentrations are lower than in spring and winter (wet seasons), with the exception of Zn. For Kavala and Palio the results demonstrate that the increased number of inhabitants (almost doubled) in summer time due to tourism does not influence the metal levels in sludge. Comparing the results obtained for similar spring-summer-winter sequences in 2007 and 2010/11 and for the spring season in 2007, 2008 and 2010, it can be noticed that, in general, the average heavy metal contents show an increasing tendency towards the last year. In all the measurement periods, the Palio sludge had the highest metal contents and Kavala sludge the lowest, leading to the conclusion that the WWTP operating process rather than population has a significant effect upon the heavy metal content of sludge. Cr(VI)/Cr(total) concentration ratios are higher for Kavala sludge in the majority of sampling campaigns, followed by Drama and Palio sludge. The metals which present moderate to strong positive correlation have common origin, which could be a domestic-commercial mixed source.

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