Due to the content of pathogenic organisms, including fungi, sewage sludge land application poses risks to both human health and the environment. One of the ways for reducing pathogens in sludge is liming. This study aims to determine the effect of sludge liming on the composition of keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi in model experiments. The fungi were examined using the hair baiting meth...

The research comprised of studying the effect composting sewage sludge with sawdust and vermicomposting with earthworm Eisenia fetida has on the degradation of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Raw rural sewage sludge prior composting was more contaminated with PAHs than urban sewage sludge, in both cases exceeding EU cutoff limits of 6 mg/kg established for land application. Dibenzo[...

In this study, the effect of sludge retention time (SRT) on oxic-settling-anoxic (OSA) process was determined using a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) attached to external aerobic/anoxic reactors. The SRT of the external reactors was varied from 10 to 40d. Increasing SRT from 10 to 20d enhanced volatile solids destruction in the external anoxic reactor as evidenced by the release of nutrients, ho...

Simulation-based design and analysis of biotreatment systems depends to a great extent on the accuracy of the model parameters used. In many cases, site-specific parameter estimates are not available and parameter values recommended in the literature are adopted along with a measure of judgment to account for bioprocess uncertainty. To better quantify process certitude associated with this appr...

The imposition of more stringent legislation governing the disposal and utilisation of sewage sludge, coupled with the growth in its generation and the loss of traditionally accepted disposal routes, has prompted a drive for alternative uses for sewage sludge. One option that exhibits special promise, due to its potential to valorise the sludge, is the conversion of the sludge into adsorbents. ...

Reuse of faecal sludge in agriculture has many potential benefits, but also poses risks to human health. To better understand the risks, Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was performed for three population groups Kampala, Uganda: wastewater and treatment plant workers; farmers using sludge; consumers sludge-fertilised vegetables. Two models were applied consumers, one based on patho...

In Quebec, municipal sewage sludge application on agricultural lands is relatively recent and there are many concerns related to potential contamination and loss of plant productivity. This study aimed at monitoring the impacts of repeated, long-term application of sewage sludge on agricultural lands under operating field conditions. Eight paired study sites (treated and control) in three regio...