Characterization of Phosphorus in Sewage Sludge from Different Sources by 31Phosphorus Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

To investigate the distribution and dynamics of phosphorus (P) in soils for environmental protection and agronomical usage, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P NMR) was used to characterize the contents and chemical properties of P in sewage sludge from 13 wastewater treatment plants in Shanghai. The samples were extracted with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) / 0.05 M sodium ethylenediamietetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA) in ratio of 1:20 (w/v). Total P recovery in the extract ranged from 91 to 116% when compared to traditional chemical methods. The dominant forms of P in all samples were inorganic orthophosphates and orthophosphates monoesters. Orthophosphate diesters and pyrophosphates were present in only two and four samples, respectively. This study provides detailed information on the distribution, contents, and chemical properties of P in sewage sludge that may be of value in the utilization of sewage sludge for agronomic purposes.