Land Application of Biosolids in Europe: Possibilities, Con-Straints and Future Perspectives

Gianico, Andrea; Braguglia, Camilla Maria; Gallipoli, Agata; Montecchio, Daniele; Mininni, Giuseppe

doi:10.3390/w13010103

Cited by 74 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Italy also recently introduced (law No. 130/2018) limits for beryllium and selenium [26]. Relevant concentration of As and Se, potentially toxic metalloids found in this WAS, could be ascribed to the input coming from natural background sources typical of the territory of Central Italy, which also affected the quality of the biosolids quality to be disposed of [27].…”

Section: Performance Of Fermentation Reactorsmentioning

confidence: 79%

Insights into the Anaerobic Hydrolysis Process for Extracting Embedded EPS and Metals from Activated Sludge

et al. 2021

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The amount of sewage sludge generated from wastewater treatment plants globally is unavoidably increasing. In recent years, significant attention has been paid to the biorefinery concept based on the conversion of waste streams to high-value products, material, and energy by microorganisms. However, one of the most significant challenges in the field is the possibility of controlling the microorganisms’ pathways in the anaerobic environment. This study investigated two different anaerobic fermentation tests carried out with real waste activated sludge at high organic loading rate (10 g COD L−1d−1) and short hydraulic retention time (HRT) to comprehensively understand whether this configuration enhances extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and metal solubilisation. The quantity of EPS recovered increased over time, while the chemical oxygen demand to EPS ratio remained in the range 1.31–1.45. Slightly acidic conditions and sludge floc disintegration promoted EPS matrix disruption and release, combined with the solubilisation of organically bound toxic metals, such as As, Be, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn, thereby increasing the overall metal removal efficiency due to the action of hydrolytic microorganisms. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi were the most abundant phyla observed, indicating that the short HRT imposed on the systems favoured the hydrolytic and acidogenic activity of these taxa.

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Section: Performance Of Fermentation Reactorsmentioning

confidence: 79%

Insights into the Anaerobic Hydrolysis Process for Extracting Embedded EPS and Metals from Activated Sludge

et al. 2021

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“…BS has the potential to compromise the dynamic equilibrium of biological systems in soil due to the organic pollutants it contains, resulting in increased species loss in soil caused by competitive exclusion [50,51]. Excessive application of SS can lead to leaching and transport of nutrients as well as increasing the bioavailability of heavy metals that harm soil [52]. Overall, a considerable body of research points towards increased GHG emissions from the application of BS on agricultural land.…”

Section: Forecast Into Agricultural Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge as a Threat of Microplastic (MP) Spread in the Environment and the Role of Governance

Milojevic¹,

Cydzik‐Kwiatkowska²

2021

Energies

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Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants is commonly used as a soil amendment on agricultural land. Unfortunately, more and more research indicates that large amounts of microplastic (MP) are re-introduced to soil with sludge. This study aims to present the impact MP has on soil ecosystems, global trends in agricultural sludge management resulting from a high concentration of micropollutants in sludge, and finally propose a high-level strategy for sustainable sludge management. This strategy is mostly dedicated to the European Union and involves multiple stakeholders and the links between each of them to achieve appropriate sludge management to avoid soil pollution with MP. Governance, Technology, Consumer Acceptance, and Economy and Commercial Viability is explored in depth. To the author's knowledge, this is the first paper to discuss these topics in the context of a changing agricultural scene and identifies ways of which sewage sludge can limit MP pollution whilst still fitting into a circular economy. As total elimination of agriculturally used sludge is not a viable option, more stringent regulation on sludge quality before its use is necessary, especially on contaminant concentrations. This includes MPs limits, to improve sludge quality, in turn improving soil health. More alternative management options for sludge that does not meet land usage requirements are necessary and will be explored in this study. Overall, the combination of factors discussed will inevitably lead to more emphasis on sewage sludge management, therefore it can be expected that the information presented in this review will be of high demand and importance for sludge producers and serves as a comprehensive foundation for researchers to build off.

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“…Adopting public policies for the reuse of by-products generated from wastewater treatment brings benefits to producers, to the people who use them, and to the area that allows their use, as well as allowing WWTPs to be projected as sustainable entities in the future. However, according to the results obtained from the SWOT analysis applied to sludge and biosolids regulations in Colombia (Table 3), the aspects identified for strengthening are: monitoring of emerging contaminants, application of efficiency indicators for biosolids stabilization processes, guidelines for monitoring and use of biosolids, reporting of updated information in unified platforms (UIS), and access to these as an input for continuous improvement and decision making, as has been considered in other Latin American [91][92][93][94][95] and European countries [5,12,96] that favor their use in the agricultural sector. These factors influence and limit the adequate management and use of biosolids in agriculture; therefore, they are essential variables to take into account in the Colombian regulations.…”

Section: Swot and Tows Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management Strategies and Stakeholders Analysis to Strengthen the Management and Use of Biosolids in a Colombian Municipality

et al. 2021

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The difficulties in the management and use of biosolids in Colombia make it necessary to evaluate and analyze the factors involved through various methodologies to achieve the effective management and recycling of this type of waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of sludge and biosolids from a WWTP in a Colombian municipality through the application of three methodologies (SWOT/TOWS, surveys, and stakeholder (player) weighing) for their subsequent use in agriculture. As a result, strategies were proposed at the regulatory, organizational policy, and entity integration levels, among others. It was identified that about 93.6% of the people surveyed had a positive attitude towards the use of biosolids in agriculture, despite recognizing the existence of a risk (27.3%) in this type of practice. On the other hand, regarding the communication of WWTP management of these wastes, they perceived that it to be absent (65%) and the lack of knowledge regarding the destination of these wastes was even greater (72.7%). Through the weighting of actors, 16 players were classified with whom it is necessary to work closely, regularly, or occasionally. The methodologies proposed will allow similar WWTPs to optimize their processes through continuous improvement and joint work between the different entities and communities. It is recommended that other methodologies be used to evaluate player position level in relation to planned strategies, as well as the level of associations of one player with another, independent of power and influence.

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Land Application of Biosolids in Europe: Possibilities, Con-Straints and Future Perspectives

Cited by 74 publications

References 46 publications

Insights into the Anaerobic Hydrolysis Process for Extracting Embedded EPS and Metals from Activated Sludge

Insights into the Anaerobic Hydrolysis Process for Extracting Embedded EPS and Metals from Activated Sludge

Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge as a Threat of Microplastic (MP) Spread in the Environment and the Role of Governance

Management Strategies and Stakeholders Analysis to Strengthen the Management and Use of Biosolids in a Colombian Municipality

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