Optimal Solutions for the Use of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Lands
Catalina Iticescu,
Puiu-Lucian Georgescu,
Maxim Arseni,
Adrian Rosu,
Mihaela Timofti,
Gabriel Carp,
Lucian-Ionel Cioca
Affiliations
Catalina Iticescu
European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunaărea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Puiu-Lucian Georgescu
European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunaărea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Maxim Arseni
European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunaărea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Adrian Rosu
European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunaărea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Mihaela Timofti
European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunaărea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Gabriel Carp
European Center of Excellence for the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunaărea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Lucian-Ionel Cioca
Industrial Engineering and Management Department Emil Cioran, Faculty of Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Street, no. 4, 550025 Sibiu, Romania
The use of sewage sludge in agriculture decreases the pressure on landfills. In Romania, massive investments have been made in wastewater treatment stations, which have resulted in the accumulation of important quantities of sewage sludge. The presence of these sewage sludges coincides with large areas of degraded agricultural land. The aim of the present article is to identify the best technological combinations meant to solve these problems simultaneously. Adapting the quality and parameters of the sludge to the specificity of the land solves the possible compatibility problems, thus reducing the impact on the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented sludge were monitored and optimal solutions for their treatment were suggested so as to allow that the sludge could be used in agriculture according to the characteristics of the soils. The content of heavy metals in the sewage sludge was closely monitored because the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer does not allow for any increases in the concentrations of these in soils. The article identifies those agricultural areas which are suitable for the use of sludge, as well as ways of correcting some parameters (e.g., pH), which allow the improvement of soil quality and obtained higher agricultural production.
