Sustainable resource utilization technology of municipal sludge for uranium-contained source sewage disposal...

With the development of global nuclear energy sector, the leakage risk of radioactive elements during uranium mining and transportation has sharply increased, which threatens human health. The need for an economic, efficient and sustainable treatment solutions is urgent. In this study, we develop an innovative approach using municipal sludge (MS) to treat uranium-contained wastewater. We demonstrate that MS reveals strong adsorption and extraction potential for the disposal treatment of uranium ions U(VI), efficiently capturing radioactive substances in uranium-contained wastewater, significantly enhancing the purification efficacy, and simplifying subsequent treatment, and addressing uranium pollution at the source. Meanwhile, MS involves a large accumulation of "waste" in urbanization processes, and is typically difficult to dispose through traditional methods. In our technique, when MS is used for uranium-contained wastewater treatment, it turns waste into valuable resource, greatly reducing the costs associated with dedicated sludge treatment while avoiding potential environmental risks. Furthermore, this synergistic treatment model can establish a positive, sustainable ecological cycle. Additionally, once MS is processed, it can be safely disposed of, minimizing soil pollution risks. This strategy not only ensures steady progress in nuclear energy utilization and urban development but also safeguards a green and sustainable environment, embodying the principles of sustainable development and paving the way for new directions in global environmental protection.