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Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
Changes in sewage sludge carbon forms along a treatment stream
Martin T E Smith1, Ronald J Smernik, Graham Merrington
1School of Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK. msmith@bournemouth.ac.uk
Chemosphere
|May 13, 2008
Summary
Sewage sludge organic matter composition varies with treatment. Undigested liquid sludge differs from digested and dewatered sludges, impacting land application. Direct polarization NMR is key for accurate carbon analysis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Soil Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Sewage sludge land application impacts nutrient and pollutant fate.
- Sludge organic matter composition is influenced by sewage source and treatment.
- Understanding sludge composition is crucial for effective land management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the organic matter composition of sewage sludges.
- To compare sludges from different treatment stages (undigested liquid, anaerobically digested, dewatered cake).
- To assess the suitability of different NMR techniques for sludge analysis.
Main Methods:
- (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed.
- Sludges were collected from three stages of a municipal sewage treatment works.
- Both cross-polarization (CP) and direct polarization (DP) NMR techniques were utilized.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in organic matter composition were observed between undigested liquid (UL) sludge and anaerobically digested (AD) or dewatered cake (DC) sludges.
- UL sludge contained higher proportions of alkyl carbon compared to AD and DC sludges.
- Mobile alkyl carbon, poorly detected by CP-NMR, was present in all sludge types.
Conclusions:
- Sewage treatment significantly alters organic matter composition, affecting sludge behavior and fate.
- Direct polarization (DP) NMR is essential for accurate quantification of carbon types in sewage sludge.
- Characterizing sludge organic matter is vital for predicting its environmental impact during land application.
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