Quantitative and Qualitative Determination of Gases Generated on Sludge Sites of Sewage Treatment Plants

Abstract

Background: The study of the impact of gases generated on sludge sites of sewage treatment plants on the population is of increasing interest for science and practice. Objective: To analyze data on quantitative and qualitative determination of gases generated on the sludge sites of sewage treatment plants in order to select priority pollutants to be monitored. Materials and methods: We analyzed sanitary and epidemiological conclusions on projects of sanitary protection zones of 343 sludge sites of sewage treatment plants, design materials for the placement of sewage sludge on silt plots in the town of Zelenogorsk, 23 Russian and foreign literary sources, and best available techniques reference documents. We also conducted our own study that included single sewage sludge sampling in the first half of 2022. Results: Based on the data contained in the attachments to sanitary and epidemiological conclusions, the inventory of emission sources, design materials, and substances included in the production control programs, we selected eight priority pollutants while the results of the literature review demonstrated the importance of 28 chemicals. Measurements were made as part of testing the sample of unknown composition to detect the compounds that could potentially account for malodors from sewage sludge. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of documents, literary sources, and results of testing, we made a list of 48 priority pollutants generated by sewage sludge. This list will be refined as soon as the composition of the sewage sludge sample is specified.