Safe Recycling of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Land—Biowaste

Schmidt, Jens Ejbye; Christensen, Niels Jørgen; Batstone, Damien J.; Trably, Eric; Lyberatos, Gérasimos; Stamatelatou, K.; Kornaros, Michael; Metzger, Laure; Amellal, N.; Watson, Jack; Garcia, K.; Ayuso, Sergio Lacambra; Patureau, Dominique

doi:10.1205/psep.05168

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…On average in Europe and North America, 30 and 50%, respectively, of the STP‐generated sludge is used as fertilizer for agricultural purposes and in Ireland even >70% (Coors et al, 2016; Corradini et al, 2019). Therefore, this practice may represent a source of fragrance encapsulates which are potentially ingested by terrestrial organisms (Schmidt et al, 2006), albeit a very minimal source of microplastics (0.03% as estimated by Cai et al [2021]). In a fate modeling exercise, these authors predicted the European average concentration of fragrance encapsulate polymeric shells in sludge‐treated soil to be 210 µg/kg.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Fragrance Encapsulates Taken Up by Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Species?

Kuehr

Windisch

Schlechtriem

et al. 2021

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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The uptake potential of Fragrance Encapsulates (FEs) by aquatic or terrestrial organisms was investigated. Due to their size of below 5 mm and their This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Accepted Articlepolymeric nature, FEs fall under the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) definition of microplastics (MPs).After use, FEs enter the sewer system and reach the sewage treatment plant (STP) where >90% of the FEs are likely to be removed by sorption to the sludge. When the STP-generated sludge is used as fertilizer for agricultural soils, this may lead to potential exposure of terrestrial invertebrates to FEs and especially those feeding on particles of a similar size as the FEs. Two aquatic (Corbicula fluminea (water exposure) and Hyalella azteca (water and dietary exposure)) and one terrestrial invertebrate (Eisenia andrei (soil exposure)) species were exposed to 50 mg/L (or mg/kg) double fluorescence labelled FEs (ø 5-50 µm). The results showed that FEs are available to aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates but species specific differences regarding the ability to ingest FEs may exist. The benthic grazer H. azteca showed no ingestion of FEs, whereas the capsules were readily ingested and egested by the unselective freshwater filter-feeder C. fluminea, as well as the terrestrial decomposer E. andrei. No signs of bioaccumulation of FEs were indicated by microscopic assessment.This article includes online-only Supporting Information.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Fragrance Encapsulates Taken Up by Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Species?

Kuehr

Windisch

Schlechtriem

et al. 2021

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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“…Sewage sludge (biosolids) is an important urban organic waste fraction. In Europe alone, more than 8 000 000 t of dry matter (dm) sludge is produced annually , . As advanced wastewater treatment by the activated sludge process becomes more widespread, global sludge production increases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic Micropollutant Degradation in Sewage Sludge during Composting under Thermophilic Conditions

Poulsen

Bester

2010

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Degradation of 12 common organic micropollutants in sewage sludge representing bactericides, flame retardants, fragrances, vulcanizers, and plasticizers (part of many common products) during thermophilic composting was investigated. Micropollutant concentrations, compost temperature, water content, and organic matter content were measured over 24 days in a full-scale compost windrow made from digested sewage sludge, yard waste, and horse manure. Composting took place indoors, and the windrow was turned several times during the experimental period. Concentrations of all 12 micropollutants decreased during composting, and degradation was statistically significant for 7 of the 12 micropollutants. Metabolites (galaxolidone and methyl-triclosan) were produced from two micropollutants (galaxolide and triclosan) during composting, indicating microbial degradation. Pollutant concentrations early in the experiment were more variable than those experienced for the chemical method development. This was likely due to compost heterogeneity. After the second compost turning, concentrations became more stable as compost became more homogeneous.

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“…Even though only small amounts of the microplastics entering wastewater‐treatment plants finally reach the aquatic environment directly by the effluent, they may still enter the terrestrial environment as part of the sewage sludge. This is the main sink of microplastics in the wastewater‐treatment process, and it is used as fertilizer for agriculture in many countries (Coors et al, 2016; Li et al, 2018; Schmidt et al, 2006; Sun et al, 2019). The mass concentration of up to 4.1 g plastics/kg biosolid measured in a wastewater treatment by Okoffo et al (2020) demonstrated the dimension of input to the environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invertebrate Species for the Bioavailability and Accumulation Assessment of Manufactured Polymer-Based Nano- and Microplastics

Kuehr

Esser

Schlechtriem

2022

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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Bioaccumulation tests with invertebrates have recently been discussed as a suitable alternative to bioaccumulation tests with metal‐ or metal oxide‐based nanoparticles in fish for regulatory assessment. In the present study, as a first step, we investigated the suitability of three invertebrate species for bioaccumulation tests with nano‐ and microplastics. In a laboratory approach the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea, the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca, and the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber were exposed to fluorescently labeled nano‐ and microplastics to evaluate their suitability to estimate the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of these test items. No bioaccumulation was observed in H. azteca or P. scaber. In contrast, the measurement of the relative fluorescence of the test items in the soft tissue and the feces of the filter‐feeding bivalve allowed us to derive data that may be useful for the regulatory bioaccumulation assessment of manufactured nano‐ and microplastics. The developed measurement method using fluorescence represents a time‐efficient and cost‐effective analytical method for manufactured nano‐ and microplastics in laboratory studies for regulatory assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:961–974. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

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Safe Recycling of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Land—Biowaste

Cited by 12 publications

References 1 publication

Are Fragrance Encapsulates Taken Up by Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Species?

Are Fragrance Encapsulates Taken Up by Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Species?

Organic Micropollutant Degradation in Sewage Sludge during Composting under Thermophilic Conditions

Invertebrate Species for the Bioavailability and Accumulation Assessment of Manufactured Polymer-Based Nano- and Microplastics

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