SEWAGE SLUDGE FOR SAFE RECYCLING ON AGRICULTURAL LAND – BIOWASTE
Jens Ejbye Schmidt1*, Nina Christensen1, Irini Angelidaki1, Damien John Batstone1, Eric Trably1,
Gerasimos Lyberatos2, Katerina Stamatelatou2, Michael Kornaros2, Laure Metzger3, Najat Ameall3,Jenna Watson4, Kistiñe García4, Silvia Ayuso4and Dominique Patureau5
1. Environment & Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
2. Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Greece
3. RITTMO, Nambsheim France
4. Environmental Dept., France
(free)
Production of sewage sludge in Europe, and worldwide is increasing, and will continue to do so. Application on agricultural land accounts for more than 50% of sludge disposed, and remains one of the best longterm sinks. The BIOWASTE project encompasses an integrated study of sludge recycling to agricultural land, focussing on xenobiotic organic compounds using a wide variety of complementary techniques. The model compounds include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nonylphenols/nonylphenol ethoxylates(NP/NPE), and phthalic acid esters. Techniques include lab and pilot reactor studies, development of analytical methods, study of the microbiology involved in aerobic, and anaerobic degradation, bioaugmentation of reactors, and final toxicity and bioaccumulation in agricultural use. Technology development and applicability of sludge recycling is supported by a structured environmental risk assessment, and life-cycle assessment. The project has already resulted in a number of new findings, including novel micro-organisms, new analytical tests, and new toxicity tests. It has demonstrated the value, and improved intra-EU communication that results from integrated EU projects.
KEYWORDS Xenobiotics, modelling, life cycle analysis, toxicity, agricultural disposal, biomarkers
