Simultaneous metal leaching and sludge digestion by thermophilic microorganisms: effect of solids content

High concentrations of heavy metal in livestock manures limit land application of their sludges. A practical and economical method of sludge treatment is important for converting the livestock sludge into soil conditioners or fertilizers. In this study, the effect of solid contents on the simultaneous aerobic digestion and metal leaching at thermophilic condition were investigated in a batch reactor. Different solid contents in the range of 0.5-4% (dry-w/v) were studied. The results showed that an increase of solid content decreased the pH reducing rate. It was the result of increase in buffering capacity and possible microbial inhibition at a higher solid content. Similar results were also found in the variations of ORP and sulfate concentrations during this process. In most cases, this biological process is able to solubilize 82-99% of heavy metals from the livestock sludge. It was found that the efficiency and rate of metal solubilization decreased with increasing solid contents. In addition, 54-80% of organic matter in the sludge was degraded after 28 days of reaction. A low sludge digestion efficiency was found at a high solid content. Moreover, the dewaterability of sludge was improved and the fertility (N, P and K) of sludge did not change significantly after this bioprocess.