The Assessment of Using the Sewage Sludge in Agriculture in Romania

Carmelia Mariana Dragomir Balanica,Iulian Gabriel Birsan,Aurel Gabriel Simionescu,Cristian Muntenita,Cezar Ionut Bichescu

doi:10.37358/mp.18.4.5104

Abstract

Sewage sludge resulted from urban wastewater treatment plants is generally accepted as a valuable source of nutrient and soil conditioner for agricultural usage. Analysis of amount of heavy metals in sewage sludge is essential previous to utilization of the sludge to agriculture considering the inevitable risk of heavy metal toxicity to soil, vegetation and humans. The present paper aims to analyse the characteristics of the sewage sludge resulted in an urban area for 5 years. Sewage sludge generated from five wastewater treatment plants in the South and South Est part of Romania were analysed.

Highlights

Sewage sludge resulted from urban wastewater treatment plants is generally accepted as a valuable source of nutrient and soil conditioner for agricultural usage
There is a significant increase of heavy metals reused and included into products. These heavy metals are noxious to human health and the environment at certain level of concentrations, that is a important cause of concern [2]
By December 31, 2018, Romania has to fully comply with European Union Directive 91/271/EEC, which means that all agglomerations with a population greater than 2000 p.e will be served by the sewage treatment plant and, implicitly, sludge will occur [3]

Summary

Introduction

Sewage sludge resulted from urban wastewater treatment plants is generally accepted as a valuable source of nutrient and soil conditioner for agricultural usage. The quantity of sludge produced per inhabitant rely upon numerous factors and is absolutely variable [11] The structure of this sludge must be analysed rigorously since it can be rich in nutrients, frequently loaded with significant concentrations of pollutants firstly heavy metals, and countries look for different methods for its disposal [12]. The Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC) reviewed in 2000, mainly aims to establish the use of sewage sludge in agriculture so that to prevent noxious effects on soil, vegetation, animals, human health and supporting its correct usage [13]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion