Biodegradation of Emerging Organic Contaminants by Composting

Abstract

Sewage sludge is a rich source of organic matter and nutrients, which can be utilized for soil improvement and plant growth. The utilization of sewage sludge for plant growth and conversion of sludge into renewable resource is often restricted by the presence of hazardous organic matter (HOM) including di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and antibiotics. HOM enters the sewerage system through various domestic and industrial sources; they are mostly hydrophobic in nature and recalcitrant to microorganisms. HOM has the tendency to accumulate in the sludge during biological wastewater treatment processes and, subsequently, raise the difficulty of further sludge treatment and/or disposal. The application of sewage sludge containing HOM can create risk to ecosystems. The stability and biodegradation of DEHP and antibiotics during composting are discussed in this chapter. Finally, the recent advances in the bioremoval of these HOM are briefly summarized.

Emerging Pollutants – Part II: Treatment

“…For chemical emerging pollutants, Kumar (2013) showed that composting was an effective method for the mineralization and treatment of di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in sewage sludge that could otherwise be harmful to the environment. The author identified a need for further research to understand the exact mechanism by which organic material is degraded during composting.…”