Land treatment: A viable and successful method of treating petroleum industry wastes

Land treatment is an environmentally attractive alternative for the disposal of petroleum refinery wastes. Diverse populations of soil microorganisms degrade waste oil and other organic compounds through a series of complex reactions to yield carbon dioxide, water, and innocuous byproducts. Approximately one-half of the disposable volume of oily sludges are currently land treated at more than 100 sites across the United States under a variety of soil and climatic conditions. Maximization of biodegration rates requires an optimization of management practices which stimulate aerobic microbial populations in the soil. These management practices include addition of fertilizer, judicious waste application, and frequent cultivation. Off-site migration of oily waste constituents that would endanger groundwater quality has not been observed in several field and laboratory studies. The leached residuals are apparently adsorbed, assimilated, or inactivated in the upper soil horizons. A prudent management system, however, requires an individually tailored monitoring system with dual objectives for an early detection of off-site waste constituent transport and for evaluating the performance of waste biodegradation processes. A cost comparison for the disposal of oily wastes by currently available technologies indicates that land treatment is the most economical option.     

Naturally occurring radionuclides in materials derived from urban water treatment plants in southeast Queensland, Australia

An assessment of radiologically enhanced residual materials generated during treatment of domestic water supplies in southeast Queensland, Australia, was conducted. Radioactivity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, Ra-226, Rn-222, and Po-210 in water, sourced from both surface water catchments and groundwater resources were examined both pre- and post-treatment under typical water treatment operations. Surface water treatment processes included sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation and filtration, while the groundwater was treated using cation exchange, reverse osmosis, activated charcoal or methods similar to surface water treatment. Waste products generated as a result of treatment included sediments and sludges, filtration media, exhausted ion exchange resin, backwash and wastewaters. Elevated residual concentrations of radionuclides were identified in these waste products. The waste product activity concentrations were used to model the radiological impact of the materials when either utilised for beneficial purposes, or upon disposal. The results indicate that, under current water resource exploitation programs, reuse or disposal of the treatment wastes from large scale urban water treatment plants in Australia do not pose a significant radiological risk.     

Assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in sludges according to the European environmental policy

The amount of sewage sludge generated in Europe is expected to surpass the 10 million tons/year in 2006 as a result of the waste water treatment process according to the Water Policy in European Union. Sewage sludge is what is left behind after water is cleaned in waste treatment plants and is characterized for this high content in nitrogen and phosphorous that could be of great importance in agriculture as fertilizer or soil conditioner. On the other hand, pollutants like metals and organic contaminants are usually removed from water and are accumulated in the sewage sludge, reaching the food chain if their concentrations are not below the safe limits established by the European legislation. The latter issue is of great concern nowadays and in this sense, different works alert against the use of the sewage sludge in agriculture arguing that serious illnesses, even resulting in death as well as adverse environmental impacts are associated to the application of sewage sludge. This work is a continuation of a former comprehensive survey on of priority organic pollutant in sludges for agricultural purposes carried out by our group in Catalonia and this time is focused on the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), one of the most toxic group of organic compounds listed in the Work Document on Sludge which is the reference tool in this field in Europe and is also included in the Stockholm Convention. Eighty eight samples were collected from the end of 2003 to April 2006 and the concentrations detected were lower than the 100 ng/kg I-TEQ limit recommended by the European legislation (EC, 2000). Thus, sewage sludges generated in Catalonia do not represent a threat to human health if they are used as fertilizers in agriculture.     

Review of pollutants in petroleum refinery wastewaters and effect upon aquatic organisms

In the past decade, the number of organic chemical contaminants identified in oil refinery wastewaters has risen from less than 20 to over 300. This increase in knowledge was made possible by advances in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrumentation and new techniques to maximize resolution of capillary chromatography. The types of compounds identified in refinery wastewaters are similar to those identified in crude oils; i.e., aliphatic, aromatic, alkyl aromatic, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and some hydrocarbons containing nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. The contaminants in oil refinery wastewaters acutely lethal to aquatic organisms can be removed by biological treatment systems. However, biological treatment systems may not be capable of removing all deleterious contaminants. Long-term fathead minnow bioassays of biologically treated refinery wastewaters resulted in 10%–50% mortality after 14–16 days of exposure. The lethal effects were eliminated by sequential treatment with dual media filtration-activated carbon adsorption.     

上海城市污水厂污泥处理与利用系统分析

上海市城市污水处理规划的实施，将在2020年前使该市的城市污水厂污泥产生量从现状的85tDS/d增长至1300－1500tDS/d，将形成可观的污泥消纳压力。预期了该市的污水污泥产生状况，以现有污水污泥处置与利用技术为基础，测算了可行的污泥处置与利用方向及相应的容量，以及满足容量利用的前处理要求。以此为基础，推荐了适宜的容量利用方案，并建议以生物稳定化干化处理为污泥处置与利用前的改性处理步骤，且可在适当的条件下增加厌氧消化环节，提高处理体系的水平与容量宽余度。此污泥处理与利用体系可达到污泥消纳运行的柔性化和可靠性，兼具环境安全性与经济合理性。     

Toxicity evaluation of sewage sludges in Hong Kong.

Anaerobically digested sewage sludges collected from four wastewater treatment plants located in Sha Tin, Tai Po, Yuen Long, and Shek Wu Hui in Hong Kong were subjected to chemical characterization and toxicity testing to provide preliminary assessment of their suitability for land application. All sewage sludges were slightly alkaline with pH range of 8.3-8.7. Electrical conductivity (EC; 0.69 dS m(-1)) and soluble NH4-N content (996 mg kg(-1)) of sewage sludge from Yuen Long were lower than that of other plants. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined as total, extractable, and water-soluble fraction using mixed acid digestion, DTPA (pH 7.3), and distilled water, respectively. Yuen Long sludge was most polluted with Zn and Cr higher than the pollutant concentration limits listed in Part 503 of USEPA, owing to the effluent coming from the tannery industry. High concentration of Ni was found in sludge from Sha Tin that originated mainly from the electroplating industry. DTPA-extractable Zn contents were high in sludges from Yuen Long (1247 mg kg(-1)) and Shek Wu Hui (892 mg kg(-1)), while 3.7 mg kg(-1) of DTPA-extractable Cr was found in Yuen Long sludge. Metal speciation of sludges showed that Pb was major in residual phase while Cu, Cr, and Ni in organic and residual phases, and Zn did not show any dominant chemical phase. The sludge extracts did not exert significant adverse effect on seed germination of Brassica chinensis (Chinese cabbage), but Yuen Long sludge caused a reduction in root growth. In view of its lower EC and soluble ammonia contents, the high concentration of Zn and Cr in Yuen Long sludge would likely be responsible for this adverse effect on root growth. Therefore, Yuen Long sludge would likely have a more serious impact on soil quality and plant growth as compared to other sludges. This would require further verification from greenhouse and field experiments.     

Viruses in wastewater sludges and in effluents used for irrigation

Disposal of sewage wastes is a problem of increasing magnitude in the United States. New control measures enacted by Congress require consideration of land disposal of sludges and effluents. The volume of wastes involved and the possibility of contaminating ground water supplies and vegetation has great public health significance. The effectiveness of the sewage treatment process to remove chemical and biological contaminants and the operational efficiency of many sewage treatment plants are factors that must be given careful consideration before final selection of disposal methodology. The quality of our future water and food supplies will be affected either beneficially or adversely by current management decisions.     

垃圾块体填埋法及其应用前景

分析了垃圾排弃的现状、危害、潜在价值及现有的垃圾处理方法,提出创新垃圾处理方法势在必行。与已有的垃圾处理方法比较,垃圾块体填埋法有自己的特点,以社区为单元的垃圾源头分类投放、收集和预处理,能使垃圾实现分类化处理;通过垃圾中可回收废物的回收利用,能使垃圾最大限度资源化;通过垃圾分类粉碎、脱水、压缩成块体,使垃圾有效地减量化;经过消毒、分类堆砌有助于垃圾填埋场地的分类管理和安全监控,使垃圾处理基本无害化;回收、堆肥、焚烧、填埋,使垃圾处理综合化;填埋场的复垦与开发利用,使垃圾处理环保化。该方法的推广应用,可使垃圾处理无害化、减量化、资源化和市场化目标得以实现。     

Radiological hazards of TENORM in the wasted petroleum pipes

Disposal petroleum pipes containing sludge and scale as a technically enhanced natural occurring radioactive material (TENORM) leads to internal and external radiation hazards and then a significant radiation dose to the workers. In order to contribute to a future waste management policy related to the presence of TENORM in the disposal sites of wasted petroleum pipes, scale and sludge as TENORM wastes are collected form these disposal pipes for radiometric analysis. These pipes are imported from onshore oilfields at south Sinai governorate, Egypt. The highest mean ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra concentrations of 519 and 50 kBq/kg respectively, were measured in scale samples. Sludge lies within the normal range of radium concentration. The average absorbed dose caused by the exposure to the wasted pipes equal to 4.09 μGy h⁻¹ from sludge and 262 μGy h⁻¹ from scale. This is much higher than the acceptable level of 0.059 μGy h⁻¹. Due to radon inhalation, important radon related parameters are calculated which advantage in internal dose calculation. Fairly good correlation between real radium content and radon exhalation rate for sludge samples is obtained. The hazards from sludge come from its high emanation power for radon which equal to 3.83%. The obtained results demonstrate the need of screening oil residues for their radionuclide content in order to decide about their final disposal.     

Evaluation of Brasilia wastewater sludge as a biomass resource for the production of energy by gasification simulation

This work evaluated the sludge potential of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETA) in the city of Brasília to be used as a fuel by gasification. It is known that ETA sludge is a significant environmental liability, since current legislation restricts its final disposal. For this, the chemical characterisation of ETA sludge was performed by immediate and elemental analysis. No traces of heavy metals were observed, and the moisture (ω) and ash contents were 31.17 and 51.77%, respectively, different from those already reported in the literature because the composition depends on the water treatment technology employed. The gasification process was numerically simulated; once dry, it constitutes a residue with an energy content (HHV) of 22.4498 MJ kg^?1, comparable with other types of biomass currently used for large-scale energy generation by thermochemical processes (e.g. agricultural residues, wood and sugar cane bagasse). For the numerical simulation with an equivalence ratio (Φ) near 3, higher concentrations of CO and H₂ can only be achieved with ω lower than 15%. The results showed that gasification can be an attractive option for the disposal and use of a renewable waste resource, such as ETA sludge, in an environmentally safe way, and it is allowed by local legislation.     

Effect of ozone pre-treatment on sludge production of aerobic digestion processes

The effect of ozone in a chemical sludge disintegration process was evaluated. Sludge solution chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and settling were investigated in single and sequential processes. A significant influence of ozone dose on sludge disintegration was observed: ozone was utilised to degrade the soluble organic matter and to destroy cell surfaces and release the cell liquids. For a single ozonation step, we found an optimum ozone dose in the range of 0.008–0.013 g O₃/g TSS to give the best COD and TSS removal efficiency. Disintegrated sludge was treated in a sequential process consisting of consecutive ozonation and bio-aeration (i.e. O₃ + biological treatment). The tendency was dependent on accumulated ozone, treatment time and operational conditions. An accumulated ozone dose of 0.055 g O₃/g TSS in two separate ozonation processes followed by biological treatments led to COD and TSS removal efficiency of 53 and 46.6%, respectively. The removal efficiency was improved by increasing aerobic treatment time and/or by mixing ozonated sludge with non-ozonated sludge. The settling ability of sludge was found to be fast at very low specific ozone doses. An observed tendency was the effect of ozone on cell disintegration and protein liberation. The use of sequential processes improved the settling tendency of sludge.     

The stabilization of sewage sludge by pulverized fuel ash and related materials

In Hong Kong, with the implementation of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Strategy (SSDS), there will be a substantial increase in the generation of sewage sludge. An alternative method using pulverized fuel ash (PFA) generated from a local coal fire power station and lime to stabilize the sludge for potential beneficial uses is studied. The effects of the stabilizing agents on the leaching of heavy metals and pasturing of coliform are studied. The results show that PFA together with a small percentage of lime addition has the potential to reduce heavy metal leaching and reduce the total coliform content of the stabilized sewage sludge.     

Studies on the Leaching of Radium and the emanation of radon from fertilizer process sludge

Radium-226 present in rock phosphate is carried to CaCO₃, the main process waste sludge of the fertilizer industry. Disposal of the sludge in the environment enhances the radiation background in the area. Two states of adherence of radium in the sludge have been identified, one loosely bound and the other chemically exchanged. The loosely bound fraction accounts for nearly 40% of the total activity, as demonstrated by leaching studies. Laboratory experiments show that activity leach-out by infiltration of water through the sludge is low. Lateral seepage is found to cause extensive areal contamination due to dispersal of suspended solids in the vicinity of the disposal area. The rate of emanation of radon from the sludge is found to be high, a factor of 10 over the normal background emanation rate. The radiation field in the waste disposal area also shows enhancement, with levels 4–6 times higher than natural background.     

Potential use of solar energy for waste activated sludge treatment

The use of solar energy as a disintegration unit operation for waste activated sludge was tested in a pilot plant. The effect of the treatment process on chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), settling time and filtration index was investigated in single (solar) and sequential processes (solar & biological). Solar oxidation was found to be a good sludge disintegration technology. Available solar photons were utilised to degrade the soluble organic matter and release the cell liquids. The highest COD and TSS removal efficiencies were obtained by the month of June. Sequential process efficiencies were related to accumulate solar photons, aerobic treatment time and operational condition. Sequential process resulted in COD and TSS removal efficiency of 16% and 13%, respectively. Increasing aerobic treatment time and/or mixing the oxidised sludge with fresh sludge improved COD and TSS removal efficiencies to 23% and 27%, respectively. The use of sequential processes improves the settling tendency of sludge by bio-oxidation of the released portions and eliminates protein charge effect on sludge settling.     

城市生活垃圾的卫生填埋

随着经济的迅速发展及工业化与城市化进程的加快，城市生活垃圾急剧增多。垃圾污染环境，对城市居民的健康和生存构成了严重威胁，已成为社会一大公害，因此，对垃圾的处理刻不容缓。传统的垃圾填埋技术已远远满足不了社会对保护环境的要求。卫生填埋是在传统垃圾填埋技术基础上发展起来的处理城市生活垃圾的较为理想的方法。现代卫生填埋场是一项相当复杂的系统工程，涉及许多方面内容。根据收集到的资料，对城市生活垃圾特性、垃圾填埋场的功能和构造、垃圾填埋场的规划、选址及勘察、垃圾渗沥液、防渗工程、垃圾力学等诸多方面分别进行了阐述。     

Lime stabilization and land disposal of cold region wastewater lagoon sludge

Effects of lime [Ca(OH)₂] stabilization upon the pathogenic population in accumulated solids associated with the operation of two aerated wastewater lagoons in Alaska and two facultative wastewater lagoons in northern Utah were evaluated. The subsequent drying, at a temperature of 12 °C, of the lime stabilized sludges on sand and soil beds was also investigated. The lime stabilization of the lagoon sludges was evaluated by dosing the sludges with lime and applying sludges to bench scale drying beds. Lime addition produced high fecal coliform reduction, and the limed sludges readily dewatered on both sand and soil beds.     

Human exposure to PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs in Ghana: Temporal variation, sources of exposure and estimation of daily intakes by infants

Human exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) was evaluated in Ghana using breast milk samples collected in 2004 and 2009. Mean levels and ranges of PBDEs (4.5; 0.86-18 ng/g lw) and PCBs (62; 15-160 ng/g lw) observed in the present study were unexpectedly high, in spite of the fact that Ghana is a non-industrialized country when compared with many of the Asian and European countries. Significant increases were found in the concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs over the years, while no significant increase was observed for HBCDs. Estimated hazard quotient (HQ) showed that all the mothers had HQ values exceeding the threshold of 1 for PCBs, indicating potential health risk for their children. PCBs in dirty oils and obsolete equipment should be of concern as potential sources in Ghana, and e-waste recycling with little or no experience in safe handling could be a threat to this sub-region noted for unregulated disposal of e-waste. The results may point towards an increase in trends in human milk in Ghana, especially in the larger cities but further analysis would be required to confirm this upward trend in levels. This is the first study to report BFRs in human breast milk from Africa, and undoubtedly from Ghana.     

Identification of metal toxicity in sewage sludge leachate

Sewage sludge is a source of organic matter and nutrients with the potential for being used as a fertilizer. However, metals in sewage sludge might accumulate in soil after repeated sludge applications, and metal concentrations might reach concentrations that are toxic to microorganisms, soil organisms and/or plants. This toxicity might change with time due to kinetic factors or abiotic factors such as freezing, drying or rainfall. The objective of this study was to determine toxicity of sewage sludge leachate from a lysimeter with 50 cm of sludge applied. Attempts were also made to identify the cause of toxicity of the sludge leachate by toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) techniques. Sludge leachate was collected monthly during 1 experimental year (August 2001 to August 2002). Metal concentrations were analysed, and the toxicity was determined with Daphnia magna (48-h immobility). The effect of EDTA or sodium thiosulphate addition, filtration through a CM-resin or a Millex-resin on toxicity was also tested. The results showed that toxicity of the sludge leachate apparently varied during the year, and that filtration through the CM-resin reduced most of the toxicity followed by the addition of EDTA. None of the other treatments reduced the toxicity of the sludge leachate. This indicated that one or more metals were responsible for the observed toxicity. Further calculations of toxic units (TU) suggested that Zn contributed most to the toxicity. Results also indicated that Ca concentrations in the sludge leachate reduced the toxicity of Zn.     

Metal-contaminated soil remediation by using sludges of the marble industry: toxicological evaluation

The major risks due to metal pollution of sediments consist of leaching to groundwater and potential toxicity to animals and/or plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate by means of an ecotoxicological approach the effects of the addition of cutting marble sludges on the mobile metal fraction of sediments polluted with heavy metals. The study was carried out on two sediments derived from mining activities in Portman Bay (SE, Spain) polluted by heavy metals. These sediments were mixed with sludges left after the cutting of marble. The results obtained by leaching experiments showed that the addition of marble cutting sludge, consisting mainly of carbonates, to a heavy-metal polluted sediment produces a decrease of available metal forms. The carbonate content seems to play a role in chemical stabilisation of metals and in a decrease of toxicity of sediments. The leached solutions have a non-toxic effect. The mild remediation by addition of sludge has moreover effects to long term.     

Measuring the environmental impact of waste flow management in Brazilian apartment buildings

As biodegradable material represents approximately 70% of household waste in Brazil, any strategy to divert appreciable waste quantities from landfills of necessity has to include valorization and recycling of this material. A societal change of attitude is required to perceive this challenge. Experiments in an urban apartment building are described that produced this change of attitude with a success factor of 80%. Divided waste collection was implemented that separated at the source biodegradable from inert material. Correct collection, handling and display procedures were established. Composting of biodegradable material was carried out under the rooftop of the building as an alternative to using it as animal feed. Half of the inert material entered the reverse logistics chain and was also diverted from the landfill. Waste related material flow through the building is completely quantified, food intake and waste production are related, diversion of both biodegradable and inert waste components from the landfill is measured and the composting process is described. The landfill diversion stands at 61%, mass reduction through the composting process is 80% and matured compost is returned to residents for use in flower cages. The system has been operational for two years and stands out as a precedent in successful decentralized household waste management supported by material flow analysis. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.