Land Application of Biosolids in the USA: A Review

Abstract

Land application of biosolids has proven a cost-effective method of waste disposal by beneficially recycling organic matter and nutrients and improving soil quality; however, it may also pose potential threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of this paper is to provide information on recent research progresses and regulation efforts regarding land application of biosolids, including forms and types and nutrient values of biosolids, environmental and health concerns, and related best management practices (BMPs) of biosolids application, with emphasis on its land application in agriculture. More research and regulations are expected to minimize potential risks of biosolids land application, especially its long-term impacts.

Characterization of sewage sludge generated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and perspectives for agricultural recycling

“…Sewage sludge application is a beneficial alternative to recycle organic matter and nutrients as it improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, as well as improve vegetation establishment in degraded environments and assist the nutrition of agricultural crops (BORGES et al, 2009;LOBO et al, 2015;LU et al, 2012;SAMPAIO et al, 2016). However, before being used in agricultural crops and in addition to meeting the nutritional needs of plants and improving soil characteristics, sewage sludge needs to comply with the principles of environmental safety, with safe levels of heavy metals and offering no chemical or microbiological risk to human health or environment.…”

The Possibility of Organo-Mineral Fertilizer Production from Sewage Sludge

“…However, the application of sewage sludge to soil is strictly limited by the presence of heavy metals, toxic compounds, and microbial pathogens [37]. Heavy metals get into sewerage systems generally from industry, mainly from electroplating, chemical industry (manufacturing of organic and inorganic compounds, pharmaceutical industries, dyes and pigment manufacturing), metal processing industries, as well as from runoff and corrosion from sewerage systems [38].…”

Effects of Biosolids and Manure Application on Microbial Water Quality in Rural Areas in the US

“…To incorporate risk assessment and fate of biosolids-associated pathogens in different environmental media, Eisenberg [109] and Galada et al [110] developed fate and transport models of pathogens after biosolids application using different application methods and predicted risks of infection for different exposure subpopulations. For example, the model "Spreadsheet Microbial Assessment of Risk: Tool for Biosolids "SMART Biosolids" included estimation of risk of infection due to more than 20 pathogens from surface water, air, groundwater, vegetables and soil during land application of biosolids [109].…”

“…For example, the model "Spreadsheet Microbial Assessment of Risk: Tool for Biosolids "SMART Biosolids" included estimation of risk of infection due to more than 20 pathogens from surface water, air, groundwater, vegetables and soil during land application of biosolids [109]. In general, the following information is needed to run these comprehensive multi-compartment models: (a) weather-related information; (b) pathogenic concentration in biosolids; (c) biosolids application method; (d) decay of pathogens in different environmental media; (e) exposure-related information; and (f) dose-response information of different pathogens.…”