Heavy Metal Content in Sewage Sludge: A Management Strategy for an Ocean Island
In recent years, the generation of sewage sludge has increased worldwide. Correct processing and management of this waste concerns all countries. This work presents a study of metal contents, i.e. of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni, in sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in the northeastern r...
| Published in: | Revista de Salud Ambiental |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedad Española de Salud Ambiental
2017-06-01
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.ojs.diffundit.com/index.php/rsa/article/view/758 |
| Summary: | In recent years, the generation of sewage sludge has increased worldwide. Correct processing and management of this waste concerns all countries. This work presents a study of metal contents, i.e. of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni, in sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant in the northeastern region of the island of Tenerife. The study aimed at examining the sludge for potential suitability as a farmland fertilizer. Detected metal levels for Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni were extremely low (26.44, 544.01, 24.10, 37.05, and 8.04 mg/kg dw [dry weight], respectively). Cadmium levels were under quanti cation limit. Season-dependent, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in metal concentrations in sewage sludge were observed for Cu, Ni, Cr, and Pb. Consequently, the application of sewage sludge to fertilize nutrient-deficient agricultural soils and soils degraded by human activity represents a fast and straightforward solution to the lack of such resources, particularly in an oceanic island. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1577-9572 1697-2791 |