Assessment of indicators of fecal contamination in soils treated with biosolids for growing grasses

Abstract

Developing countries currently face challenges related to the management and disposal of biosolids that result from wastewater treatment. One of the most important issues they must deal with involves the maximum level of pathogens permitted and the effect they may have on the environment and human health once they are used for agricultural purposes. In order to learn about the risk generated by these kinds of practices, we assessed the behavior of indicators of fecal contamination in grasses used to feed dairy cattle. The study area was divided into two plots: an experimental plot in which diluted biosolids were applied and a control plot without the application of biosolids. We collected samples from soil, grass, surface water and groundwater and analyzed the presence of fecal coliforms, Salmonella, somatic phages and helminth eggs. Experimental and control plots showed a decrease in the concentration of bacterial indicators assessed in soil, and low concentrations in surface water, groundwater and grass. Concentrations of viral and parasite indicators tend to decrease more slowly. Our results show that this way of biosolid management allows a better use of its benefits as an organic amendment by lowering the sanitary risk due to the presence of pathogens.

Assessment of two sludge stabilization methods in a wastewater treatment plant in Sotaquirá, Colombia

“…However, after this initial decrease, there was no change in the somatic phages content. These results are consistent with those reported by Shanahan and Campos [24][25][26].…”

“…To minimize Universitas Scientiarum Vol. 25 (1): [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] http://ciencias.javeriana.edu.co/investigacion/universitas-scientiarum these negative impacts, several countries have encated policies that require stabilization and removal of sewage sludge prior to its soil application [4][5][6].…”

Avances en El Saneamiento Y La Gestión De Biosólidos en Colombia

“…Al igual que los biosólidos de la PTAR Salitre, han sido usados en análisis de aplicación en suelos y no representan una amenaza para la contaminación de mercurio como lo reporta Ortiz Villa, Araque Marín, & Peláez Jaramillo (2016) pues los niveles registrados c u mpl en t a n t o l a s n or ma s n a c i on a l es c omo internacionales. Además al igual que lo armado por Pinilla, Córdoba, Fuentes, & Montoya (2015) y López Sánchez, Acevedo Cifuentes, & Ordóñez Ante (2010) los pastos presentaron mejores características con la aplicación de biosólidos. En general, se siguen implementando diversas alternativas para el manejo y aprovechamiento de biosólidos, con el n de disminuir el impacto que estos generan sobre el medio ambiente cuando son dispuestos de forma inadecuada.…”