Sewage Recycling Research Articles

Review of Livestock Wastewater and Domestic Sewage Recycling in Rural Areas

Direct discharge of livestock wastewater and domestic sewage in rural areas, not only cause serious pollution to the environment, but also waste resources, this article introduces the main technology of sewage, wastewater treatment, main treatment processes and reuse method, pointing out the resource recycling of wastewater is an important way to ease the aquatic environment serious deterioration.

Green Residential Community Domestic Sewage Treatment and Recycling Analysis

The accelerate of urbanization process in our country, because of the raising of water consumption, causing the urban domestic sewage increases, the rate of urban domestic sewage tackle is barely 57.4% in 2008. Using the experience of international domestic sewage tackle as a resource of reference, considering the residential community domestic sewage dispersion tackle is a effective way, and analysing the water quantity balance, tackle technics choose and economical efficiency combined with engineering project, finally to table a proposal for the residential community domestic sewage tackle and recycling .

Scenarios Simulation on Carrying Capacity of Water Resources in Kunming City

With high-speed development of social economy, rapid urbanization, the impact of drought, water resources supply and demand imbalance in Kunming City, improving carrying capacity of water resources will become the hot topic of sustainable development research in Kunming City. Based on the carrying capacity theory of water resources (CCWR) and system dynamics (SD) principle, a dynamic model which related with water resources, society, economy and eco-environment was established. Using this model, four scenarios were set up. They were remaining current water utilization scenario, improving the utilization of water resource scenario, water conservation strategy scenario, and comprehensive strategy scenario. The results of simulations showed that comprehensive strategy was the optimal strategy that can improve the carrying capacity of water resource in Kunming City from 2010 to 2020. The comprehensive strategy included optimization and adjustment of industry structure, improving the utilization of water resources, water conservation and finally pollutant reduction and sewage recycling.

Use of sewage sludge ash (SSA) in the production of cement and concrete - a review

The use of recycled sewage sludge ash (SSA) in Portland cement and concrete has attracted a lot of global interest due the increase in sludge production and the limitation of land availability where it is used as a soil conditioner. These are in addition to rising environmental concerns. The major components of SSA are SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO and P2O5. These compounds, in theory, make SSA a good pozzolanic material because when finely ground, SSA is found to be cementitious. Thus it can be used as cement replacement in Portland cement and concrete. Some of the advantages include reduction in waste disposal costs, provision of excellent sustainable practices, conservation of the environment provision of partial solution to land limitation problem for landfill. Some of its disadvantages are in terms of pozzolanic activity and strength coupled with high water demand which could be solved by adequate modification and treatment. This paper reviews the various use of SSA and summarises the progress made in the development of SSA as a partial replacement for Portland cement and concrete.

Main Constraints and Solutions for Urban Sewage Reclamation

Urban sewage recycling is one of the effective ways to improve ecological environment and to alleviate water supply and demand contradiction in urban areas. This paper analyzes the utilization condition and main constraints of recycling water in China, and believes that too many quality standards for recycling water lead to complex pipe network, and another main factor restraining sewage reclamation is the shortage of buffer storage link of recycling water. The author suggests incorporating the types and standards of recycling water to simplify pipe network, decentralize the reuse and use landscape water surface as a solution for buffer storage, and combining the four feasible recycling water modes being brought forward in the practices in China.

Recycling of Urban Sewage through cladoceran culture system

The feasibility of using Urban Sewage (US) was tested in static water holdings for the culture of Daphnia, a cladoceran that is used as a live fish food. US was diluted to 60% (D40), 50% (D50), 40% (D60) and 30% (D70) by adding normal freshwater to constitute a total volume of 15 litres. Each culture medium (in triplicate) was inoculated with four units of Daphnia sps. per litre. The population of Daphnia increased significantly (p ? 0.01) in each culture medium, the highest being 4340 no. /l after 20 days in D50. At the end of the experiment, after 30 days, the highest mean population of 3057 no. /l was recorded in D50. The concentration of organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen and ammonia-nitrogen reduced significantly (p ? 0.05) in each culture medium from the initial levels. The study suggests that US could be used for culture of cladocerans that is also helpful in waste recycling.

Research of Application on Corrugated Pipe Heat Exchanger to Recycling Sewage Heat

Basing on the particular characteristics of corrugated pipe heat exchanger, the calculation method of the submersible corrugated pipe sewage heat exchanger is put forward and set up the computational procedure. By using the urban sewage heat exchanger recovery system, the accuracy of design procedure is to be test. The test results show that the sewage heat exchanger designed by this way can satisfy the heat load for building. The optimization design and engineering application can be provided technical parameters of this research.

Environmental and economical assessment of sewage sludge compost application on soil and plants in a landfill

Composting of sewage sludge is one of the most suitable solutions for managing and recycling such waste. With the aim to decrease ocean disposal and increase recycling, composting of sewage sludge and its application to reclaimed soil in landfills were studied, including measurements of various parameters for composting and feasibility study. Pot experiments with three tree species ( Quercus acutissima, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Betula schmidtii) were performed to evaluate the effects of compost treatments on the soil properties and tree growth responses. Sewage sludge compost improved soil characteristics such as moisture, organic matter, N content, and respiration. It also improved soil porosity and bulk density. The leaf biomass and tree physiological parameters such as the chlorophyll contents and photosynthesis rates increased after the compost treatments. Heavy metal accumulation in the soil after the treatments was lower than the Ecological Soil Screening Levels (Eco-SSLs) for plants set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Further, heavy metal accumulation in the leaves was insignificant compared with that of the control. Recycling sewage sludge compost as fertilizer will generate economical profits. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge compost as a soil conditioner in landfills would be an efficient and cost-effective method to restore the fertility of reclaimed soil and an environment-friendly solution for disposal problems.

Cadmium in soils and cereal grains after sewage-sludge application on French soils. A review

Recycling sewage sludges as fertilisers on soils for crop production has several potential benefits such as providing large amounts of phosphorous and organic matter. However, the spreading of urban sewage sludge is a constant cause of controversy because it is known to introduce potentially toxic trace metals into the soil, particularly cadmium. In order to clarify this debate, this review article presents a synthesis of the results of several studies carried out in France on the impact of sewage-sludge spreading. This article reports mainly Cd results but also some results on other trace metals such as Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Two kinds of data are presented: (1) soil data including total metal contents and data from partial extraction to evaluate the phytoavailable fractions, and (2) plant data including metal content of wheat, a major agricultural crop. The field experiments involved very different amounts of applied sewage sludges and Cd. Indeed, three categories of experiments stand out, the first and second involving high amounts of applied Cd, and the third involving low amounts of applied Cd: (1) during the 1970s and ’80s, sludges with a high trace metal content, especially Cd, were spread at the INRA trials at Couhins experimental farm on sandy soils and in the Vexin area on silty topsoils. The quantities of applied Cd were very high, ranging from 3600 g to 641 000 g per ha. Here, the results show a notable impact on total Cd contents of topsoil and cereal grains. (2) Sludges containing high levels of industrial cadmium were spread on acid soils in the Limousin region for more than twenty years up to 1998. Topsoil Cd contents were measured in fields where the cadmium input was highest, of 300 to 600 g Cd per ha. Here, a clear increase in the Cd content of cereal grains was found. (3) During the 1990s and 2000s, numerous experiments with sewage-sludge applications compatible with the new French regulations of 1998 were implemented. The amounts of applied Cd were therefore much lower, from 0.6 to 270 g/ha. Here, no impact was detected on the composition of cereal grains. This review article concludes that the application of huge quantities of sewage sludges in the 1970s and ’80s had a clear and long-lasting effect on both soil and grain Cd compositions. Nonetheless, spreading sewage sludge in accordance with the new French regulations had no significant impact on soil and cereal-grain Cd concentrations.

Biochemical properties and barley yield in a semiarid Mediterranean soil amended with two kinds of sewage sludge

Recycling sewage sludges as soil organic amendment and as a source of macro- and micronutrients represents a promising agricultural practice, especially in Mediterranean areas, where soils commonly exhibit low organic matter contents. However, this organic waste must be treated to avoid potential hazardous effects over the soil or the plants. For this aim, there are different treatments, some of them of contrasted feasibility, such as composting. However, the implementation of recent technologies, like thermal-drying, allows obtaining in less time a final product with exceptional handling conditions. This modern treatment has been introduced in an increasing number of wastewater treatment plants during the last years. Nevertheless, the effects of thermally dried sewage sludge on soil biota and crop yields have not been widely studied to date. In this work, composted and thermally dried sewage sludges were applied to a cropped soil over a three-year period, with different frequencies (single or yearly applications) and at two rates (20 and 80 t ha −1), to investigate and compare their cumulative and residual effects on the yield of barley and on chemical, biological and biochemical soil properties. In the cumulative experiment high doses of both sewage sludges caused an increase of the total organic C contents but also a significant decrease in crop yield, as well as in enzyme activities and microbial biomass C contents. In contrast, cumulative applications of both types of sewage sludge at low doses showed, in general, better barley yield parameters as well as significantly higher microbial biomass C contents, particularly for the composted one. The best results for barley yield were obtained in soils amended once with sewage sludge, particularly for those amended with the composted sewage sludge. These results may be attributed to a possible deleterious effect over soil properties derived from the use of excessive doses. Besides, the results stood out the benefits derived from the application to soil of the composted sewage sludge, which presented a much more mature and stable organic matter than the thermally dried sewage sludge.

Recycling gamma irradiated sewage sludge as fertilizer: A case study using onion ( Alium cepa)

Recycling sewage sludge into fertilizer for agricultural purposes may improve soil fertility by influencing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the land. However, there is concern regarding elevated levels of heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms, which may result from the use of untreated sewage sludge. Gamma radiation is found to be an efficient tool in the hygienization of municipal sewage sludge. In order to evaluate the agricultural potential of gamma irradiated sewage sludge and to assess the safety of this fertilizer, field experiments were performed in a root crop, onion ( Alium cepa), during the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 winter months. The influence over major nutrients, metallic micronutrients, and heavy metals in soil and crop plant were key factors to be analyzed. Treatments consisted of three source of fertilizers {S 1: farmyard manure (FYM); S 2: gamma irradiated sewage sludge (GISS); and S 3: non-irradiated sewage sludge (NISS)}, each at three separate levels (L 1: 5 t ha −1; L 2: 10 t ha −1; and L 3: 15 t ha −1), which were evaluated and compared. The growth parameters and onion yield were not significantly influenced by the different sources of fertilizer, or the different application levels. Values of pH, organic carbon, organic N, available P and K, metallic micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) and heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Pb, Co) indicate no negative effects on either soil or plant properties. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil and plant were slightly higher in NISS treatment in compare to GISS; however, the concentrations did remain within the prescribed limit, and no significant increase was consistently noted. The results prove that the gamma irradiated sludge material was of equal quality compared to the conventional FYM.

Wetland park: an important element for sewage recycling in Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad is a large industrial city with the population more than 400 thousand people thathas no modem constructions for sewage treatment. Almost I 00 million m3 of sewage isannually discharged into the Pregolja River and the Vistula Lagoon. City authorities have aproject for constructing a full cycle of waste water treatment plant. However, the offereddevelopment plan and treatment level will not promote decreasing of eutrophication in theVistula Lagoon. In this article the opportunity of using water plants for additional cleaningsewage of Kaliningrad has being considered. For this purpose it is suggested to organize awetland park in a territory along the right bank of the Kaliningrad naval channel in an areawith 86.6 knl. The infrastructure for such wetland-park might be used for recreationalpurpose too. The proposal is to consider the wetland park as an effective commercialenterprise occupying certain sector in the economy of the city. The basic requirements toorganize the wetland park area are that: (I) The wetland-park area should be located nearbythe mechanical and biological sewage treatment; (2) Two zones should be created, anindustrial and a recreational zone; (3)The borders of zones should be separated by natural or artificial elements of landscape, forexample, forestations; (4) Economic and ecological requirements regarding the sewagemanagement in Kaliningrad city are related to the necessity of meeting the demands of theBaltic Region, in order to solve the environmental problems of the Baltic Sea.

The accumulation of nonylphenol in a wastewater recycling process

A mathematical model was developed in this paper to describe the nonylphenol (NP) accumulation in the effluent of a wastewater recycling system. The model quantitatively presented the relationships among the NP concentrations in the raw wastewater and the system effluent, the number of wastewater recycling cycles, the water recycling ratio, the system NP removal efficiency, and the NP accumulation factor. The mathematical model was then verified through experimental modeling of a wastewater recycling process, and it was indicated that the Pearson correlation coefficient between mathematical simulation and experimental modeling results was 0.652. The study results indicated that the NP accumulation factor of a wastewater recycling system would approach a constant for large number of wastewater recycling cycles given the wastewater recycling ratio and system NP removal efficiency. The results also revealed that the NP concentration in the effluent increased with the wastewater recycling ratio given the system NP removal efficiency, and the increase of NP removal efficiency would decrease the NP accumulation in the system effluent under a given wastewater recycling ratio condition. The model was then applied to compute the maximum wastewater recycling ratio, predict reclaimed water quality and direct the design and management of sewage recycling systems in China.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTIC OF BIOSORPTION PROCESSES AND BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN HYDROBIONTS HERPOBDELLA OCTOCULATA, ASELLUS AQUATICUS AND ACTIVE SLUDGE REMOVED FROM TREATMENT FACILITIES IN DNEPRODZERZHINSK

In the course of an atom absorption tests it was established that aquatic organisms and active slime that had been obtained from sewage recycling facilities of Dneprodzerzhinsk town displayed bioabsorptive properties in relation to heavy metals, such as copper, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, lead, zinc and iron. While comparing the capacities of accumulating heavy metals, possessed by the aquatic organisms and active slime, the authors established that Herpobdella octoculata and Asellus aquaticus had higher adsorption potential of mentioned toxical substances than active slime. The test concentrations of heavy metals, established in the paper, have been displayed in the form of pie-charts.

Potential for increased human foodborne exposure to PCDD/F when recycling sewage sludge on agricultural land.

Sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment is used in agriculture as a nutrient source and to aid in moisture retention. To examine the potential impact of sludge-amended soil on exposures to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from plant and animal foods, we conducted a review of published empirical data from international sources. Levels of PCDD/F in municipal sewage sludge ranged from 0.0005 to 8,300 pg toxic equivalents (TEQ)/g. Background levels in soil ranged from 0.003 to 186 pg TEQ/g. In sludge-amended soils, levels of PCDD/F ranged from 1.4 to 15 pg TEQ/g. Studies that measured levels before and after sludge treatment showed an increase in soil concentration after treatment. Relationships between PCDD/F levels in soil and resulting concentrations in plants were very weakly positive for unpeeled root crops, leafy vegetables, tree fruits, hay, and herbs. Somewhat stronger relationships were observed for plants of the cucumber family. In all cases, large increases in soil concentration were required to achieve a measurable increase in plant contamination. A considerably stronger positive relationship was observed between PCDD/F in feed and resulting levels in cattle tissue, suggesting bioaccumulation. Although PCDD/Fs are excreted in milk, no association was found between feed contamination and levels of PCDD/Fs measured in milk. There is a paucity of realistic data describing the potential for entry of PCDD/Fs into the food supply via sewage sludge. Currently available data suggest that sewage sludge application to land used for most crops would not increase human exposure. However, the use of sludge on land used to graze animals appears likely to result in increased human exposure to PCDD/F.

Recycling of sewage sludge to grassland: a review of the legislation to control of the localization and accumulation of potential toxic metals in grazing systems

AbstractThe recycling of sewage sludge or biosolids to grassland is strategically important in the European Union (EU) and its use is tightly regulated to control the risk of pathogen transfer to animals and the food chain. Sewage sludges not only contain valuable concentrations of beneficial nutrients, but also elevated concentrations of potentially toxic metals (PTM) compared with average background concentrations in the soil. The EC and UK regulations refer to six PTM, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Hg, with provisional regulations for Cr, that have to be controlled to prevent detrimental effects on soil and animal health. Despite these regulations, there is still a danger that grazing animals may ingest elevated concentrations of PTM. Biosolids may adhere to herbage after the surface application of sewage sludge to grassland. The repeated surface application of sewage sludge to grassland can lead to elevated concentrations of PTM at the soil surface that may be ingested, together with soil and herbage, by grazing ruminants. This may lead to accumulation of Cd or Pb in liver or kidney. The risk to the human food chain is considered to be low, but the impact on the environment is still unknown. There is little information, for example, on the amount of soil and PTMs that may become incorporated into conserved grass. At present EU and UK legislation and voluntary codes of practice have been developed to protect animal from pathogens in sewage sludge and to minimize any potential risks from accumulation of PTM. The background and implementation of the legislation are examined in this review, and the source and mechanisms of accumulation of PTM by the grazing animal are evaluated.

Strategic management of non-point source pollution from sewage sludge

In the UK, the recycling of sewage sludge to land is expected to double by 2006 but the security of this route is threatened by environmental concerns and health scares. Strategic investment is needed to ensure sustainable and secure sludge recycling outlets. At present, the security of this landbank for sludge recycling is determined by legislation relating to nutrient rather than potentially toxic elements (PTEs) applications to land--especially the environmental risk linked to soil phosphorus (P) saturation. We believe that not all land has an equal risk of contributing nutrients derived from applications to land to receiving waters. We are currently investigating whether it is possible to minimise nutrient loss by applying sludge to land outside Critical Source Areas (CSAs) regardless of soil P Index status. Research is underway to develop a predictive and spatially-sensitive, semi-distributed model of critical thresholds for sludge application that goes beyond traditional "end-of-pipe" or "edge-of-field" modelling, to include hydrological flow paths and delivery mechanisms to receiving waters from non-point sources at the catchment scale.

Groundwater Vulnerability and the Reuse of Water, with Reference to Saudi Arabia

It is noted that an integrated water supply system incorporating surface water, groundwater and recycled water is essential and that in the definition of groundwater resources consideration should be given to the inclusion of some brackish and saline waters. The abstraction of groundwater in Saudi Arabia, irrespective of quality, is a mining operation so that increasing emphasis will need to be placed on desalinization and the recycling of sewage and industrial waste waters. Aspects of the reuse of such waters are discussed with respect to aquifer protection and aquifer value as a storage medium.

Considerations for Recycling Sewage Effluent in the UK

AbstractTechnical, environmental, legislative and institutional considerations in relation to effluent re‐use are described, with specific reference to experiences gained through the development of a scheme to augment Essex and Suffolk Water's Hanningfield reservoir with effluent from Chelmsford sewage‐treatment works. Effluent standards are driven by a number of EU directives associated with protection of fisheries, recreational water quality, eutrophication and nitrate control for designated sensitive areas, and surface‐water abstraction. The selection of the most appropriate strategy for re‐use needs to consider public perception issues, in addition to technical feasibility and environmental concerns.

The Search for the Ultimate Sink: Urban Pollution in Historical Perspective by Joel A. Tarr

TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE Book Reviews 781 on a larger scale. From the end of the 1920s, for example, efforts were intensified to recruit new customers and to propagate new forms of electricity use (electric heat)—to increase the rate of utili­ zation of the output capacities (p. 235). In this respect, the results of Gilson’s study represent a critical argument against Thomas P. Hughes’s opinion in Networks of Power (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983) that by centralized supply via superpower sta­ tions (Grofikraftversorgung) electric energy can be provided in any case more economically because of the better load factor and energy mix. Gilson’s study is a convincing demonstration of the significance of economic interests and political power in the formation of huge technical systems. For everybody who is interested in the beginning of the still-existing structure of electricity supply in Germany, this book is a must. Siegfried Buchhaupt Dr. Buchhaupt is research assistant in the Department of History, Technical Uni­ versity Darmstadt. The Searchfor the Ultimate Sink: Urban Pollution in HistoricalPerspective. ByJoel A. Tarr. Akron, Ohio: University ofAkron Press, 1996. Pp. xlvii+419; illustrations, figures, tables, notes, index. $44.95 (cloth); $24.95 (paper). In 1971, Joel Tarr published a pioneering article on the horse as a polluter in American cities. Environmental history was not yet a recognized field, and scholars had paid little attention to the history ofpollution, yet Tarr saw rich possibilities in the subject. In the years since, he has published dozens of original and influential works on the history ofsmoke pollution, industrial wastes, water-quality policy, and sewage recycling, to name just four examples. Now his most important works are available in one volume, and the collection should bring Tarr new readers in a number of academic and techni­ cal fields. The Searchfor the Ultimate Sink holds special interest for people in­ terested in the past and future use of technology to solve environ­ mental problems. Throughout his career, Tarr has focused on his­ toric moments of technological choice. Why did city officials decide to build combined storm and sanitary sewer systems in the late 19th century? Why did railroads take decades to adopt the cleaner and more efficient electric-diesel engine? For Tarr, the answer to such questions never is narrowly academic. As a professor with a joint appointment in history and public policy at Carnegie-Mellon Univer­ sity, he has worked with colleagues in the engineering disciplines on a number of large projects intended to provide policy makers with historical perspective. He also has published his work in a re­ 782 Book Reviews TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE markable variety of venues—from Technology and Culture to Waste Management and Research, from American Heritage to the AmericanJour­ nal of Public Health—and the variety testifies to his ability to speak to a range of audiences. The range of Tarr’s research also is impressive. Tarr has found new ways to look at familiar sources: The Search for the Ultimate Sink includes a fascinating reading of the Pittsburgh Survey—a classic study of the city by early-20th-century reformers—as a kind of envi­ ronmental impact statement. Yet Tarr often has made use of innova­ tive sources and methodologies. With the help of a colleague, for example, Tarr reconstructed the major sources of pollution in the Hudson-Raritan region since 1700. Though he has explored a considerable terrain, this collection makes clear that Tarr has pursued one great issue from the first. The 1971 piece on horses is a vivid case study of the American pen­ chant for overlooking or downplaying the potential costs of techno­ logical solutions to environmental problems. In the early 1900s, a host of commentators extolled the internal combustion engine as a way to avoid the environmental hazards of horse transport—the flyinfested piles of manure, the dead carcasses, the unsanitary manure dust, the nerve-shattering noise of horseshoes on cobblestone—yet cars and trucks soon created a new set of environmental problems. Tarr has found similar patterns again and again. The title piece of The Search for the Ultimate Sink—probably the most often cited essay in the historical literature on pollution—of­ fers a particularly...