Assessment of microbiological and biochemical properties of dairy sewage sludge

The rational utilisation of sludge as organic matter application into the soil permits enrichment in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. As dairy sewage sludge contains large amounts of organic matter and minerals, utilisation of such sludge in agriculture appears to be a noteworthy proposal. However, such waste can also be a source of toxic substances, heavy metals, inhibitors, xenobiotics and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, it is so important to monitor its microbiological and biochemical properties in aspect of the safety for human health, natural environment preservation and a suitable level of agricultural production maintenance. The objective of study was the estimation of selected microbiological, biochemical and chemical properties of activated sludge (AS) and waste activated sludge (WAS) originating from the dairy sewage treatment plant. Nitrification and ammonification rates, respiratory, dehydrogenases, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, protease and urease activities were at significantly higher levels in the WAS than in the AS. The pH value of the AS and WAS oscillated within the range of neutral reaction.     

Biodegradation of phthalic acid esters in sewage sludge by composting with pig manure and rice straw

To comparatively study the biodegradation of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in sewage sludge by composting with pig manure or with rice straw, four composting modes were designed: Mode 1 (sewage sludge + pig manure + intermittent aeration), Mode 2 (sewage sludge + pig manure + continuous aeration), Mode 3 (sewage sludge + rice straw + intermittent aeration) and Mode 4 (sewage sludge + rice straw + continuous aeration). Physicochemical parameters of composts were measured according to standard methods and PAEs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The biodegradation of each PAE was also discussed. The results showed that Mode 1 was the best mode to biodegrade PAEs, which might be related to the wide class of indigenous microbial communities in pig manure and high efficiency of intermittent ventilation for providing oxygen. During the biodegradation process, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was the most abundant and decisive for the removal of total PAEs. It showed a first-order kinetic degradation model. In conclusion, composting with pig manure could be suggested as an effective detoxification process for the removal of PAEs from sewage sludge, providing a safe end product.     

Competitive adsorption of trace elements in calcareous soils as affected by sewage sludge,poultry manure,and municipal waste compost

The competitive adsorption of trace elements is a key issue in assessing the mobility of trace elements in calcareous soils and can be affected by disposal of sewage sludge, municipal waste, and poultry manure. The effect of municipal sewage sludge, poultry manure, and municipal waste compost on the sorption of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) in surface samples of three calcareous soils was studied. As the applied concentrations increased, Cu and Cd adsorption increased, while Zn and Ni adsorption decreased in all treatments. Based on the distribution coefficient (K _d) values and proportion of increase or decrease in metal adsorption, the selectivity sequence in control and amended soils found was Cu ≫ Cd ≫ Ni > Zn and Cu ≫ Cd ≫ Zn > Ni, respectively. In general, among control and amended soils, control soils showed the highest K _d for Cd, Cu, and Ni, while sludge, poultry manure, and composted waste-amended soils had lowest K _d for Cd, Cu, and Ni, respectively. In the case of Zn, composted waste-amended and control soils had highest and lowest K _d, respectively. The present experimental results indicated that the addition of organic amendments to these calcareous soils reduced the sorption of Cd, Cu, and Ni. Thus, the effects of preferential adsorption and organic matter should be considered in assessing the risk associated with applying sewage sludge, poultry manure, and composted material to calcareous soils.     

污泥屏障渗透性及重金属阻截效果试验研究

目前,废弃物处置场渗滤液中的重金属污染物只能依靠极低渗透性的水力屏障来控制,还不存在利用化学场专门拦截重金属污染物的反应型屏障。在有机结合生活污泥的低渗透性与丰富的有机质和厌氧微生物特性的基础上,提出“污泥屏障”的构想。研究利用柔性壁渗透仪测量不同有效应力作用下生活污泥试样的渗透系数,并对渗出液的化学性质进行了监测,验证污泥屏障的可行性。试验结果表明：随着有效应力的增大,污泥试样干密度提高,渗透系数的对数值随孔隙比的减小线性降低。试样内部微生物厌氧呼吸形成的生物膜和无机物沉淀以及黏土颗粒双电层厚度的增大,也是污泥渗透系数降低的原因,污泥渗透系数仅为 数量级。另外,污泥强烈吸附能力及厌氧微生物呼吸作用形成的中-弱碱性还原环境,对渗透液中的Zn和Cd都起到了很好的拦截作用。     

Soil improvement with coal ash and sewage sludge: a field experiment

A field experimental study was carried out successfully to improve the quality of the sandy soil by adding coal ash and sewage sludge. One ha of barren sandy soil field was chosen for the experiment in Shanghe County, Shandong Province, China. For soil amelioration and tree planting, two formulas of the mixture:coal ash, sewage sludge and soil, in ratios of 20:10:70 and 20:20:60, respectively, were used. Poplar trees were planted in pits filled with soils with additives (mixture of ash and sludge) as well as in the original sandy soil. In the 19th months after the trees were planted, the soils with additives were sampled and analyzed. The results show that the barren sandy soil was greatly improved after mixing with coal ash and sludge. The improved soils have remarkably higher nutrient concentrations, better texture, smaller bulk density, higher porosity and mass moisture content, and higher content of fine-grained minerals. During the first 22 months after planting, the annual increase in height of the trees grown in the soil with additives (4.78 m per year) was 55% higher than that of the control group (3.07 m per year), and the annual increase in diameter at the breast height (1.3 m) was 33 % higher (43.03 vs. 32.36 mm). Trees planted in soils with additives appeared healthier and shed leaves later than those in the control group. As the volume of the additives (30–40% in both formulas) is less than that of the sandy soil in and around the tree pits, it appears that the use of coal ash and sludge for tree planting and soil amelioration is environmentally safe even though the additives have relatively high heavy metal concentrations.     

Reuse of dewatered sewage sludge conditioned with skeleton builders as landfill cover material

High water and organic content of sewage sludge constricts its reuse and disposal. It is often necessary to solidify/stabilize the dewatered sludge with solidifying agents before landfill disposal. In this study, the sewage sludge was conditioned with skeleton builders, i.e., fly ash and lime combined with ferric chloride for the purpose of improving the dewatering efficiency. The dewatered sewage sludge was then directly reused as landfill cover materials since the skeleton builders also play a role in solidification of sludge. The geotechnical properties of the dewatered sewage sludge were investigated. The results show that the plasticity index of the dewatered sludge increases compared to that of the dewatered sludge without any conditioner, and the permeability coefficient changes from 10^?8 to 10^?5 cm s^?1. Furthermore, the strength of specimens increase with curing days. Microstructure analyses reveal that the main hydrated products are calcium silicate hydrate and ettringite, which contribute to the solidification/stabilization of the dewatered sludge. The results indicate that the dewatered sewage sludge conditioned with skeleton builders can be used as landfill covers. This study provides an alternative for traditional sewage sludge treatment and disposal.     

垃圾填埋场污泥灰改性黏土衬垫的强度特性及微观结构

为评价污泥灰改性黏土作为填埋场衬垫防渗材料的可行性,分析污泥灰改性黏土强度特性及孔隙结构,针对受垃圾渗沥液腐蚀的纯黏土与污泥灰掺量为1%～5%的改性黏土,采用直接剪切试验分析其抗剪强度变化规律,采用低温氮气吸附试验分析剪切变形后试样的孔隙结构组成。结果表明,改性黏土属于VI型等温线,并存在H3型滞后环,且2～6 nm介孔的数量占比较大。受垃圾渗沥液腐蚀后,黏土抗剪强度大幅下降,黏聚力与内摩擦角分别下降60.12%和19.17%;黏土的最大氮气吸附量降低16.19%,且孔隙分布双肩峰发育不完全;随污泥灰添加量的增加,改性黏土抗剪强度增大,且孔隙分布逐渐恢复双肩峰形式,总孔容增大。     

Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage and brewery sludge for biogas production and land application

In Thailand, sewage sludge production from the Bangkok metropolitan area can reach up to 63,000 ton/y by 2010. The Beer-Thai Company, Thailand, produces beer and generates lots of sludge as waste. Sewage sludge and brewery sludge can be used to generate energy which could be saved on the fossil fuels conventionally used as a source of energy. The possibility was explored to mix brewery sludge with sewage sludge at different mixing ratios for anaerobic digestion so that the energy can be generated as biogas and at the same time, digested sewage sludge can be used as fertilizer for agricultural applications. A batch anaerobic reactor under mesophilic condition for a digestion period of 40 days was used in the laboratory. The acrylic reactor was cylindrical with a working weight of 12 kg. The diameter was 23.7 cm and the height was 34.5 cm. Sludge mixtures at different ratios were fed into the reactors and the optimum mixing ratio was determined. Experimental results showed that the sludge mixture at ratio of 25:75 % by weight (sewage:brewery) yielded higher biogas production. A reduction in heavy metals and pathogens was observed at this ratio after the digestion indicating its safe use as fertilizer. Nitrogen content was about 4.95 % which is well above the commercial fertilizers. At optimum mixing ratio of 25:75, the amount of the generated biogas is 1.15×10⁶ m³/y. This large amount of biogas is equivalent to 1.44 million kWh/y of electricity, 561,000 L/y of diesel oil and 936,000 L/y of vehicle gasoline.     

渗滤液浸泡对深度脱水污泥强度和渗透性能的影响

为探讨深度脱水污泥作为垃圾填埋场覆盖材料在湿润气候区的服役性能,将杭州主城区污水处理厂处理后的深度脱水污泥分别在蒸馏水、渗滤液中浸泡一个月和两个月,测试其强度和渗透特性的变化规律,并与填埋场覆盖层常用的黏性土进行了对比。试验结果表明,相对于一般污泥,深度脱水污泥的无侧限抗压强度较高,但在渗滤液和蒸馏水中浸泡两个月后分别降低5.4%和18.9%。在蒸馏水和渗滤液中浸泡两个月的深度脱水污泥黏聚力有所降低,而有效内摩擦角提高约7.5°;在浸泡水和渗滤液后,脱水污泥的渗透系数提高约3～5倍。该深度脱水污泥应用于填埋场覆盖材料时,其强度达到城镇污水处理厂污泥填埋控制要求。     

Immobilization of Cd,Zn and Pb in sewage sludge using red mud

Sewage sludge is an inevitable end by-product of sewage treatment. Land application provides a cost-effective alternative for sewage sludge disposal. However, sewage sludge contains heavy metals that may limit its application. In this work, red mud was employed for the immobilization of heavy metals in sewage sludge. The effect of red mud amendment on heavy metal immobilization was evaluated using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) method. The TCLP results showed that the immobilization efficiency of Cd, Zn and Pb was 100, 92, and 82%, respectively, when sewage sludge was mixed with 10% red mud. Tests carried out in leaching columns demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations in the leachate of 10% red mud amended sludge were lower than those of the unamended sludge. Moreover, red mud decreased plant available heavy metal (Cd, Zn and Pb) content from 18.1, 17.2 and 14.6% to 6.9, 11.4 and 7.6%, respectively. Sequential chemical extraction experiments showed that after sludge was amended with 10% red mud, exchangeable fraction was reduced and iron and manganese oxides fraction was increased. Red mud amendment can effectively immobilize Cd, Zn and Pb in sewage sludge before land application.     

The management of sewage sludge by the water industry in England and Wales

Summary The legislative framework within which the disposal of sewage sludge is managed in England and Wales and the methods employed are outlined. Those factors which affect management decisions are analysed and consideration is given to the environmental implications of those decisions. Sewage processes and sludge disposal are considered, and the problems, especially those of heavy metal contamination, are addressed. An indication is given as to how the Water Services Companies are likely to implement the more stringent controls on disposal. Finally, the future of sludge management in England and Wales is discussed.Abbreviations BAT Best available technology - BATNEEC Best available technology not entailing excessive cost - BOD₅ Biochemical oxygen demand - BPEO Best practicable environmental option - CBI Confederation of British Industry - CEST Centre for Exploitation of Science and Technology - COD Chemical oxygen demand - CSC Customer Services Committee - DAF Dissolved air flotation - DG Director General - DoE Department of the Environment - DS Dried solids     

Chemical and bioassay characterisation of nitrogen availability in biochar produced from dairy manure and biosolids

Biochar is charcoal made from waste biomass and intended to be added to soil to improve soil function and reduce emissions from the biomass caused by natural degradation to CO₂. Nitrogen (N) forms in biochar can be complex and their lability likely to be influenced by pyrolysis temperature which, together with the nature of carbon (C), will influence N mineralisation or immobilisation. These complex relationships are poorly understood, yet impact strongly on the potential agronomic value of biochar. In this study, N in different biochar samples produced from human and animal waste streams (biosolids and cow manure; each mixed with eucalyptus wood chips in a 1:1 dry wt. ratio) at different pyrolysis conditions (highest heating temperature 250, 350, 450 and 550 °C) was extracted with 6 M HCl. The acid hydrolysable, extractable N (THN) was fractionated into ammonia N (AN), amino acid N (AAN), amino sugar N (ASN) and uncharacterisable hydrolysable N (UHN). Biochar samples were also treated with 0.167 M K₂Cr₂O₇ acid to determine N potentially available in the long term. An incubation study of the different biochar samples mixed with acid washed sand was conducted at 32 °C for 81 days to study both C and N turnover. During incubation, the CO₂ released was trapped in NaOH and quantified. Hydrolysable N decreased as pyrolysis temperature increased from 250 to 550 °C. Fractionation into AN, AAN, ASN and UHN revealed progressive structural rearrangement of N with pyrolysis temperature. Based on HCl hydrolysis and dichromate oxidation results, C and N in biochar became more stable as pyrolysis temperature increased. The ratio of volatile C to THN was a useful indicator of whether net N mineralisation or immobilisation of N in biochar occurred. THN thus seems a sound estimate of the labile N fraction in biochar in the short term; however, dichromate-oxidisable N is probably more meaningful in the long run. Further studies using different types of biochar need to be conducted under more realistic conditions to obtain more information on N availability in biochar once in soil.     

Accumulation of lead, cadmium, manganese, copper and zinc by sludge worms; Tubifex tubifex in sewage sludge

Tubifex tubifex has been shown to survive in organic polluted environments, however, not much has been done on its inorganic pollution tolerance. Samples of T. tubifex and their respective sewage sludge were taken from Soche wastewater treatment plant in Blantyre City, Malawi during July 2007 to November 2008. The total number of sludge samples taken was fifty one which was made into seventeen composite samples. A total of seventeen T. Tubifex samples were also collected. The samples were analyzed for copper, lead, manganese, zinc and cadmium using standard methods from American Public Health Association and Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The concentrations of metals in sewage sludge and T. tubifex were on dry weight basis and the metals determined were acid extractable. In general, heavy metals concentration was lower in T. tubifex than in sewage sludge. The range of heavy metals concentrations were (in sludge and (T. tubifex)): zinc 275.3–361.5 mg/kg (45.0–82.2 mg/kg), manganese 293.7–230.1 mg/kg (1.21–3.69 mg/kg), copper 86.5–120.1 mg/kg (1.6–4.7 mg/kg), lead 11.2–22.4 mg/kg (Below detection limit–0.95 ) and cadmium 1.12–2.31 mg/kg (1.08–2.18 mg/kg). The results showed significant differences between the concentrations of manganese, copper, lead and zinc in sewage sludge and T. tubifex (p < 0.05). However there was no significant difference between the concentrations of cadmium in sewage sludge and T. tubifex (p > 0.05). T. tubifex did not show the ability to accumulate heavy metals (attributed to its high defecation and metabolic rate) except for cadmium hence cannot be used as a bioindicator for heavy metal pollution in sludge.     

高效液相色谱-荧光检测同时测定污泥中7种氟喹诺酮类抗生素

为了监测污泥中氟喹诺酮类抗生素(FQs)的含量和水平,建立了基于固相萃取高效液相色谱荧光检测法测定污泥中7种FQs的分析方法。污泥样品选用乙腈∶磷酸盐缓冲液(1∶1,V∶V)(pH=3)提取,以亲水亲油平衡(hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, HLB)小柱净化富集,经甲醇洗脱、浓缩后用高效液相色谱荧光检测器(HPLC-FLD)检测,采用乙腈/0.1%的甲酸作为流动相并以外标法定量。FQs在0.005～1.0 mg/L浓度范围内呈现良好线性关系,R2为0.992 7～0.999 8。添加量为0.05、0.5和1.0 mg/kg时,污泥中7种氟喹诺酮类的加标回收率为78.3%～106.4%,其相对标准偏差为3.68%～12.06%(N=5)。方法的检出限为0.001～0.01 mg/kg,方法定量限为0.004 6～0.038 4 mg/kg。用该方法对北京地区3个污水处理厂活性污泥样品中7种FQs进行分析,检出浓度范围为未检出至1.09 mg/kg。     

Kinetics of DTPA extraction of Zn,Pb, and Cd from contaminated calcareous soils amended with sewage sludge

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of sewage sludge (SLU) amendment on the desorption characteristics of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in contaminated calcareous soils. Three levels of SLU (0, 1, and 3% w/w) were added to the two calcareous contaminated soils. Samples were incubated for 30 days and equilibrated with 0.005 M DTPA for 0.25 to 240 h. The addition of SLU significantly increased the amount of DTPA-extractable Zn in soils. While the amounts of Cd, Pb, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and pH showed a significant increase only in 3% w/w of SLU, with the exception of Cd desorption in 1% w/w of SLU, kinetics of Zn, Pb, and Cd extraction increased together with an increase in the level of applied SLU. The best models for describing desorption data were explicitly power function and Elovich. The rate constants of Zn and Pb had significant correlations with DTPA-extractable Zn and Pb, DOC and pH, which affect Zn and Pb desorption. Also, the rate constants of Cd had significant correlations with CEC that can be deemed as equivalent to the fact that Cd desorption is controlled by surface adsorption, particularly in the lower sludge application amount. These results can be used for management of sewage sludge application in contaminated calcareous soils.     

冻融循环对固化污泥力学及微观结构特性影响

冻融循环作用会改变固化污泥工程特性,影响固化污泥堆体稳定及安全。在封闭系统下对固化污泥进行冻融循环试验,每经历一次冻融循环,就测定固化体的无侧限抗压强度、渗透系数等工程指标,并根据试验结果选取试样进行扫描电镜和压汞试验。研究结果表明：第1次冻融循环作用使固化污泥强度衰减30%,渗透系数增大80%,随后变化幅度逐渐降低;经过约6次冻融循环后,固化污泥强度衰减幅度高达50%,渗透系数增加约1个数量级,随后基本保持恒定,渗透系数的变化较无侧限抗压强度变化表现出微弱的滞后性。随着冻融循环次数的增加,固化污泥孔隙体积逐渐增大,固化污泥强度逐渐降低,渗透系数逐渐增大。在封闭系统下,固化体内部水分结冰引起的总膨胀体积恒定,固化污泥内部水分分布均匀。当冻融循环作用达到一定次数后,孔隙体积不再持续增大,只是在空间上重新融合分布,使各参数逐渐达到恒定状态。研究成果对寒区污泥固化填埋的安全处理处置提供技术参数和指导。     

Competitive adsorption behavior of selected heavy metals in three soil types of India amended with fly ash and sewage sludge

Laboratory batch experiments were carried out to study the competitive sorption behavior of metals in three types of Indian soils, differing in their physicochemical properties: acid laterite (SL1), red alfisol (SL2) and black vertisol (SL3) treated with different proportions of fly ash and sewage sludge mixture. Representative samples were equilibrated with 10 to 200 µM L ^-1 concentrations of metals simultaneously containing Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in 5 mM of Ca(NO ₃) ₂ solution. In most of the cases the affinity sequence of metals was Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>Cd based on their amount of sorption, which varied little with either metal equilibrating concentrations or the soil/mixture type. The observed metal affinity sequences in different soils amended with mixtures were compared to the predicted affinity sequences based on metal properties and a good match was found with those predicted by metal hydrolysis constants. This indicated that formation and subsequent sorption of metal hydrolysis products on soil surface is the predominant mechanism for sorption. In all the cases, Pb and Cu showed higher affinity followed by Zn, Ni or Cd. The increase in the metal additions further enhanced the competition among metals for exchange sites. Adsorption isotherms showed that metal sorption was linearly related to its concentration in the equilibrium solution. The distribution coefficients (K _D) computed from the slopes of linear regression for different metals were higher in SL3 than in both SL2 and SL1. All the mixture amended soils produced higher K _D values than their respective controls. Selectivity between metals resulted in the following affinities based on their K _D values—Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni or Cd—which was in line with the value of the hydrolysis constant of the metals under study.