Article
Environmental Sciences
Ioannis Giannakis, Christina Emmanouil, Manassis Mitrakas, Vasiliki Manakou, Athanasios Kungolos
Summary: The study conducted multiple leaching tests and analyses to determine that sludge-based biosolids pose low environmental risk when utilized in the field.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jin Zhang, Hanyu Hu, Minyan Wang, Yanan Li, Shengchun Wu, Yucheng Cao, Peng Liang, Jianyun Zhang, Ravi Naidu, Yanju Liu, Yu Bon Man, Ming Hung Wong, Changai Zhang, Shengdao Shan
Summary: The study found that the use of biochar can increase radish yield and reduce metal accumulation in plants, with minimal impact on human health risks, but the application should be controlled below 15 t ha(-1). In addition, excessive application of sewage sludge can lead to Cd levels in the soil exceeding food standards.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liquan Chu, Wei He
Summary: This study investigated the spatiotemporal variations of toxic metal concentrations in soil due to land application of sewage sludge, finding that the concentrations may increase due to factors such as the increasing ratio of sewage sludge application and concentrated disposal measures. Toxic metal concentrations in soil increased annually in previously unaffected soil, while in affected soil, concentrations of Zn and Cu increased while concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb decreased annually.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nimesha Rathnayake, Savankumar Patel, Pobitra Halder, Shefali Aktar, Jorge Pazferreiro, Abhishek Sharma, Aravind Surapaneni, Kalpit Shah
Summary: With the rapid growth of biosolids and alum sludge production due to increasing urbanization, sustainable management of these waste materials is becoming more important. Pyrolysis has been identified as a promising method for biosolids management, but the land application of biochar derived from this method may be limited due to the potential increase in heavy metal concentration. This study investigated the co-pyrolysis of biosolids with alum sludge to produce high-quality biochar with reduced heavy metal content. The results showed that co-pyrolysis can effectively reduce heavy metal concentrations in biochar and improve the quality of oil and gas products, suggesting beneficial synergistic effects. The process parameters, such as pyrolysis temperature and alum sludge mixing ratio, also have a significant impact on yield distribution and product properties.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Aimin Li, Yuzhi Li, Kaiwen Huang, Lian Song, Fei Shen, Shuo Wang, Ji Li
Summary: Bamboo powder and rice husk powder, as sludge conditioners, have the potential to improve dewatering performance and filtrate quality, and are beneficial for the stable operation of wastewater treatment plants. Their dewatering mechanism involves physical activities as skeleton builders and can increase the enrichment of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sludge cake. They also pose a low ecological risk, making them suitable for land use.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camilo Venegas, Andrea C. Sanchez-Alfonso, Crispin Celis Zambrano, Mauricio Gonzalez Mendez, Fidson-Juarismy Vesga
Summary: The use of CB390 strain allows for evaluation of total coliphages in various environmental samples, with successful recovery in solid and semi-solid samples. Treatment in drying beds can improve microbiological quality but results are influenced by WWTP infrastructure and monitoring.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hannah Larissa Nicholas, Keith H. Halfacree, Ian Mabbett
Summary: Full-scale pyrolysis of faecal sludge is a reliable technology for safe pathogen removal and biochar production, which can enhance crop productivity. Faecal sludge biochar has the potential to improve acidic, low nutrient soils and crop yield, especially in developing countries. However, little research has been conducted on public acceptance of faecal sludge biochar as a soil enhancer. The study found that males and older age groups were more likely to have a positive perception of faecal sludge biochar.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianyu Xie, Baihui Fang, Heng Cao, Yuhai He, Dongfang Wang, Xuan Zhang
Summary: Sewage sludge treatment and disposal is a pressing issue in China. The passivation of sewage sludge using composite phosphorus-bearing materials effectively decreases the bioavailability of heavy metals. The optimal immobilizing conditions were determined as 5 g of phosphate rock, 3 g of calcium superphosphate for 100 g of sludge, and a passivation time of 14 days. The passivated sludge met the physico-chemical properties and nutritional index required by Chinese national standards. The pot experiment showed that the passivated treatment resulted in increased plant growth parameters compared to the control treatment, while the non-passivated treatment led to a decrease in these parameters. Bioaccumulation factors of copper and lead did not significantly differ between the control and passivated treatments, but were significantly higher in the non-passivated treatment. Zinc bioaccumulation factors were significantly higher in both the passivated and non-passivated treatments compared to the control treatment. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the land usage of sewage sludge immobilized by composite phosphorus-bearing materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zainab Abdulsada, Richard Kibbee, Juliska Princz, Maria DeRosa, Banu Ormeci
Summary: The study found that lime treatment effectively removed AgNPs and did not significantly impact the presence and diversity of bacterial phyla in the soil. However, lime-stabilized sludge with AgNPs affected the abundance of each phylum over time.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joanna Boguniewicz-Zablocka, Iwona Klosok-Bazan, Andrea G. Capodaglio
Summary: The sustainable management of biosolids from wastewater treatment is crucial, especially with the ban of some disposal options in many European countries. Solar drying technology offers a cost-efficient and energy-saving alternative to traditional thermal drying methods, with successful applications in countries like Germany and Poland. Research is being done on improving the efficiency of solar drying for sewage sludge, in line with the new National Waste Management Plan of Poland.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lucas Almeida Chamhum-Silva, Thiago Bressani-Ribeiro, Lariza Santos Azevedo, Antonio Teixeira Matos, Carlos Augusto Lemos Chernicharo, Cesar Rossas Mota Filho
Summary: If properly treated, sewage sludge can be used as a sustainable source of nutrients and organic matter for enhancing soil quality and increasing agricultural productivity. This study used spatial multicriteria analysis to identify suitable areas for sludge application based on various criteria related to soil, land use characteristics, and environmental regulations. The results showed that, although there are some constraints, there are enough suitable areas in the study region to accommodate the total amount of sludge generated. The findings highlight the potential of spatial multicriteria analysis as a tool for selecting appropriate sites for sludge application.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Guihua Li, Kangli Guo, He Zhang, Jianfeng Zhang
Summary: Land application of biosolids does not have detrimental effects on soil arthropods or microbial-related soil function, but it does influence the abundance and diversity of arthropods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jin Liu, Shan Liu, Stephen R. Smith
Summary: A critical statistical analysis was conducted on historical and contemporary sludge quality data in collaboration with three major Water Utility companies in the UK. The study showed that most trace element concentrations in sludge were linked to declining environmental emissions. The soil accumulation model indicated that zinc and copper would be the first to approach their statutory soil limits in the long term, while nickel, cadmium, lead, and mercury were no longer significant and could potentially be removed from regulatory controls on agricultural use.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Moo-Joon Shim, Seung-Mok Lee
Summary: Cu and Zn concentrations in swine feces need to be lowered before application to prevent environmental problems. This study found that using H2SO4 had the highest removal efficiency for Cu and Zn, but also removed about half of total nitrogen. Additional studies are needed to find a method to maintain TN concentrations while removing Cu and Zn.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hang Lv, Qiao Xiong, Daoguang Liu, Xu Wu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of electro-dewatering on subsequent low-temperature drying at various potentials and the characteristics of low-temperature air-drying sludge were explored through experiments and multi-physical modeling. Results showed that electro-dewatering reduced EPS content and changed the organic matter species, leading to a cake structure conducive to low-temperature drying. The applied higher electric field intensity in electro-dewatering stage promoted water vapor diffusion activity in air-drying stage, resulting in lower energy consumption and higher yield compared to directly low-temperature drying.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amanuel W. Gebremichael, David P. Wall, Rosie M. O'Neill, Dominika J. Krol, Fiona Brennan, Gary Lanigan, Karl G. Richards
Summary: This study investigated the impact of long-term phosphorus management on N2O and CO2 emissions in different soil types. The results showed that phosphorus limitation stimulated N2O emissions, while phosphorus enrichment promoted soil respiration. These findings provide guidance for nutrient management strategies in agricultural soils and support efforts to ensure food security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
David Corbett, Bridget Lynch, David P. Wall, Patrick Tuohy
Summary: The soil's response to phosphorus input depends on its chemical composition. Current phosphorus application recommendations do not consider soil variability, and a targeted soil-specific approach is needed to optimize phosphorus efficiency and availability.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
W. Shi, M. G. Healy, K. Daly, S. M. Ashekuzzaman, O. Fenton
Summary: This study investigated the potential of dairy processing sludges and biochar as bio-fertilisers and examined the effects of application rate and calculation methods on estimates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser equivalence value. The results showed that nitrogen fertiliser equivalence value increased with application rate, while phosphorus fertiliser equivalence value did not. Aluminium-precipitated dairy processing sludges performed better as bio-fertilisers compared to other products. The two calculation methods of fertiliser equivalence value did not show significant differences, suggesting that the determination of equivalence value could be simplified.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Y. A. Mohamed, A. Siggins, M. G. Healy, D. O. HUallachain, O. Fenton, P. Tuohy
Summary: Constructed wetlands are cost-effective and sustainable treatment technology for dairy wastewater, but they require large area and have poor phosphorus removal. This study uses a novel coagulation-sedimentation process prior to loading wetlands, which achieves high removal efficiencies and complies with EU directives.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Dave O'Leary, Colin Brown, Mark G. Healy, Shane Regan, Eve Daly
Summary: This paper presents a method that integrates multi-band remote sensing data to comprehensively interpret the intra-peatland variation of key restoration indicators. The study provides a framework for high spatial and temporal resolution monitoring of peatland restoration using future drone-based platforms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. McGinley, M. G. Healy, P. C. Ryan, P. -E. Mellander, L. Morrison, J. Harmon O'Driscoll, A. Siggins
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption characteristics of five herbicides onto raw and pyrolysed waste materials from an industrial setting. The results show that granulated activated carbon exhibits the highest herbicide removal efficiency and the adsorption process involves both physical and chemical mechanisms. The Freundlich model best describes the adsorption of herbicides onto heterogeneous surfaces.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. L. Gonzalez Jimenez, K. Daly, M. G. Healy
Summary: The study found that splitting fertilizer application into two does not significantly affect nutrient exports, indicating that the amount of fertilizer applied rather than the application regime is the predominant factor in nutrient loss.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. G. Healy, A. Siggins, K. Molloy, A. P. Potito, D. O'Leary, E. Daly, O. Callery
Summary: This study investigated the effects of peat inundation and drying cycles on nitrogen release and physico-chemical properties of peat. The results showed that rewetted peat released high concentrations of nitrate-N, but had no significant impact on ammonium-N. The depth of the water table had a significant effect on inorganic nitrogen release, particularly nitrate-N.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Junhui Yin, Xin Bai, Owen Fenton, Bingbing Tang, Shuo Chen, Yan Ma, Shuai Zhang, Wenchao Cao, Shuai Ding, Rui Liu, Qing Chen
Summary: This study examines the effects of alkaline materials on nitrogen transformation in acidic soils. The results show that the addition of CSMP significantly increases soil pH and enhances net nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and ammonification rates. Machine learning analysis reveals that soil pH is the best predictor for nitrogen mineralization and ammonification, while nitrate is the best predictor for nitrification.
Article
Agronomy
Ian Byrne, Mark Gerard Healy, Owen Fenton, Patrick Tuohy
Summary: In poorly drained grassland farms in Ireland, stone aggregates are commonly used as in-field drain envelope material. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of different aggregate gradations in clay-textured mineral soils. The results showed that aggregates in the 0.7-19 mm size range performed well in terms of hydraulic and filter performance. Discharge rate was inversely related to aggregate size. Aggregates in the lower size range were recommended for field testing in clay-textured soils.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
G. J. Smith, R. W. McDowell, L. M. Condron, K. Daly, D. O. hUallachain, O. Fenton
Summary: This study investigated seasonal and event-based losses of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from poorly drained permanent grassland hillslope plots. The results showed that shallow subsurface pathways dominated P losses, especially in wetter months. Waterlogging and low nitrate (NO3-) concentrations controlled the release of P in drainage, potentially through reductive dissolution. Understanding the interaction between nutrients and soil drainage can help improve the timing of N and P inputs to avoid excessive P loss and protect water quality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
J. McGinley, M. G. Healy, Harmon O'Driscoll, L. Morrison, A. Siggins, P-e. Mellander, P. C. Ryan
Summary: Pesticides used in agriculture have negative impacts on aquatic environments when they enter water bodies. The EU's Farm to Fork strategy aims to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. However, the prevalence of legacy pesticides from historical applications may hinder the EU's goal of reducing chemical pesticide use and risk by 50% by 2030. This review examines pesticide use and movement in Europe, the issues of legacy pesticides, and methods of pesticide remediation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Y. A. Mohamed, P. Tuohy, M. G. Healy, D. O. hUallachain, O. Fenton, A. Siggins
Summary: Intermittent sand filters (ISFs) are widely used for wastewater treatment in rural areas due to their simplicity and low cost. However, filter clogging reduces their operational lifetime. This study found that pre-treatment of dairy wastewater with coagulation can reduce clogging in ISFs and prolong their lifespan.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Ian Byrne, Mark Gerard Healy, Owen Fenton, Patrick Tuohy
Summary: In Ireland, agricultural landscapes with high rainfall and poorly drained soils have infield pipe drains surrounded by stone aggregate envelopes. Synthetic envelopes have limited availability and use, and their suitability and efficacy in clay-textured soils is unknown. This study examined five configurations of synthetic envelopes and stone aggregates for drainpipe design. Results showed that geotextiles performed poorly compared to stone aggregates in terms of discharge and sediment loss. This study recommends the use of stone aggregates as drain envelope material in similar textured soils in Ireland.
