scholarly journals Sustainable Utilization of Sewage Sludge through the Synthesis of Liquid Fertilizer

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 387
Author(s):  
Yan-Jhang Chen ◽  
Li-Pang Wang ◽  
Sandhya Babel

In a world with a growing human population, resources are becoming increasingly scarce. To ensure food supply, fertilizers are often used to accelerate growth when planting agricultural products. Sewage sludge (SS), containing as high as 10–15 wt% Phosphorus (P), can be synthesized into liquid fertilizer. P species in SS can generally be classified into four types: inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic phosphorus (OP), nonapatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP), and apatite phosphorus (AP). However, OP is not leached out by wet chemical methods and NAIP is not bioavailable. This study investigated the P-form conversion (OP and NAIP to AP) in SS by adding 8 wt% CaO at 300 °C. SS through pretreatment can easily leach out P when combined with organic acid. The content of heavy metals is in accordance with fertilizer regulations in a leaching solution. The solution was mixed with potassium and ammonia compounds to synthesize a liquid fertilizer. To ensure the safe and efficient use of liquid fertilizer and undertake an analysis of heavy metals, an aquatic organisms (D. magna) toxicity test, and the growth of plants test were both used. The liquid fertilizer can be demonstrated to accelerate the growth of plants while not causing the death of D. magna in short time, as the liquid fertilizer has enough nutrients to help the D. magna to survive.

1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. Bugbee ◽  
C.R. Frink ◽  
D. Migneault

Abstract Municipal leaves, sewage sludge, and street sand were composted by a modified Beltsville aerated pile technique. Rooted cuttings of Aster novi-belgii L. ‘Peter Harrison,’ Gaura Lindheimeri Engelm. & A. Gray and Sedum purpurem (L.) Link ‘Autumn Joy’ were grown for 4 months in 2 1 (2 qt) containers filled with media containing 0, 10, 30, 60, 80 and 100 (percent by vol) compost. The medium with 0% compost contained loamy sand topsoil, peat, sand and Styrofoam pellets (1:5:2:2 by vol). The pH of all media was between 6.0 and 7.0. Half the containers in each treatment received liquid fertilization in mid-season and half did not. Leachate from the containers was collected at monthly intervals and analyzed for the heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn to determine their potential for leaching. Growth of perennials was equal or greater in all media containing compost, compared to the medium containing no compost. Liquid fertilizer further improved growth. Adding compost increased media aeration, available plant nutrients and heavy metals and decreased moisture retention and bulk density. Heavy metal concentrations in leachate were low, probably due to the near neutral media pH, and not likely to pose an environmental risk.


1982 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. Emmerich ◽  
L. J. Lund ◽  
A. L. Page ◽  
A. C. Chang

1982 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 107-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Wollast

A comparison of the concentration of dissolved and of particulate heavy metals in the aquatic system indicates that these elements are strongly enriched in the suspended matter. The transfer between the aqueous phase and the solid phase may be due to dissolution-precipitation reactions, adsorption-desorption processes or biological processes. When these processes are identified, it is further possible to develop mathematical models which describe the behaviour of these elements. The enrichment of heavy metals in the particulate phase suspended or deposited and in aquatic organisms constitutes a powerful tool in order to evaluate sources of pollution.


Chemosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 280 ◽  
pp. 130566
Author(s):  
Qiao Xiong ◽  
Xiang Wu ◽  
Hang Lv ◽  
Shuhua Liu ◽  
Haobo Hou ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 725-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Lu ◽  
Haoran Yuan ◽  
Yazhuo Wang ◽  
Hongyu Huang ◽  
Yong Chen
Keyword(s):  

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 585
Author(s):  
Catalina Iticescu ◽  
Puiu-Lucian Georgescu ◽  
Maxim Arseni ◽  
Adrian Rosu ◽  
Mihaela Timofti ◽  
...  

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture decreases the pressure on landfills. In Romania, massive investments have been made in wastewater treatment stations, which have resulted in the accumulation of important quantities of sewage sludge. The presence of these sewage sludges coincides with large areas of degraded agricultural land. The aim of the present article is to identify the best technological combinations meant to solve these problems simultaneously. Adapting the quality and parameters of the sludge to the specificity of the land solves the possible compatibility problems, thus reducing the impact on the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented sludge were monitored and optimal solutions for their treatment were suggested so as to allow that the sludge could be used in agriculture according to the characteristics of the soils. The content of heavy metals in the sewage sludge was closely monitored because the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer does not allow for any increases in the concentrations of these in soils. The article identifies those agricultural areas which are suitable for the use of sludge, as well as ways of correcting some parameters (e.g., pH), which allow the improvement of soil quality and obtained higher agricultural production.


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