Occurrence, growth, and suppression of salmonellae in composted sewage sludge

Composted sewage sludge may be used to improve soil quality, but there remains some doubt concerning the microbiological safety of the product. Sewage sludge composts from 30 municipalities were sampled, and four samples (12%) contained salmonellae (two contained fewer than 0.3/g, and the other two had 21/g and 1.7 X 10(4)/g). All 30 composts were inoculated with salmonellae; the populations decreased at a specific death rate of about 0.15 h-1 over 24 h at 36 degrees C. In irradiation-sterilized composts inoculated with salmonellae, the salmonellae grew at a rate of 0.65 doublings per h for over 24 h. Growth and death rates were found to be moisture and flora associated. The growth or death rates for antibiotic-resistant salmonellae were not different from those of nonresistant strains. It was concluded that the active indigenous flora of compost establishes a homeostatic barrier to colonization by salmonellae, and in the absence of competing flora, reinoculated salmonellae may grow to potentially hazardous densities. The active microflora of moist composts eliminated contaminating salmonellae (10(5)/g) after 6 weeks.     

Occurrence, growth, and suppression of salmonellae in composted sewage sludge.

Composted sewage sludge may be used to improve soil quality, but there remains some doubt concerning the microbiological safety of the product. Sewage sludge composts from 30 municipalities were sampled, and four samples (12%) contained salmonellae (two contained fewer than 0.3/g, and the other two had 21/g and 1.7 X 10(4)/g). All 30 composts were inoculated with salmonellae; the populations decreased at a specific death rate of about 0.15 h-1 over 24 h at 36 degrees C. In irradiation-sterilized composts inoculated with salmonellae, the salmonellae grew at a rate of 0.65 doublings per h for over 24 h. Growth and death rates were found to be moisture and flora associated. The growth or death rates for antibiotic-resistant salmonellae were not different from those of nonresistant strains. It was concluded that the active indigenous flora of compost establishes a homeostatic barrier to colonization by salmonellae, and in the absence of competing flora, reinoculated salmonellae may grow to potentially hazardous densities. The active microflora of moist composts eliminated contaminating salmonellae (10(5)/g) after 6 weeks.     

Use of composted sewage sludge in growth media for broccoli

In this study, the use of composted sewage sludge (CSS) as a binary component with peat (P) in growth media for a horticultural crop, broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Botryti cv. Marathon), was evaluated. Four treatments were established, based on the addition of increasing quantities of composted sewage sludge to peat (0%, 15%, 30% and 50%, v/v). Physical, physico-chemical and chemical analyses of the different mixtures of CSS and P were made. Plant growth, biomass production and macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), micronutrient (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn) and heavy metal (Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr) contents of plants were determined. The addition of CSS to P increased plant nutrient and heavy metal contents of plants and electrical conductivity (EC) and bulk density values of the substrates. The use of CSS did not affect the germination rate, even at 50% compost. For broccoli growth, the highest yield was obtained with the medium prepared by mixing the peat with 30% of compost; however, the mixture with the most sewage sludge compost (50%) had the greatest contents of macro and micronutrients.     

Application of composted sewage sludge (CSS) as a soil amendment for turfgrass growth

We studied the growth of perennial ryegrass in soils amended with 5–100% composted sewage sludge (CSS), and the impacts of CSS amendment on soil physical and chemical properties. Soils amended with ≤20% CSS did not significantly affect the seedling emergence, while the contents of chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium of perennial ryegrass grown in such soils were greatly improved. Bulk density, water retention, and nutrient contents of the soil were also improved with the amendment of CSS, but high CSS contents introduced excessive amounts of heavy metals and soluble salts. Results show that Cu, Zn, and Pb accumulated slightly (up to ∼2.3 times) in clippings of perennial ryegrass grown in CSS-amended soils compared to those grown in the base and reference soils, while no significant Cd absorption in shoots of perennial ryegrass occurred. The detrimental effects on seedling emergence and turfgrass growth observed on substrates with high (≥40%) CSS contents were mainly attributed to the presence of high soluble salt concentrations. The findings suggest that addition of CSS at 10–20% levels can greatly improve the soil nutrient supply for turfgrass growth without significantly affecting heavy metal and soluble salt contents of the soil.     

Toxic effects of digested, composted and thermally-dried sewage sludge on three plants

In order to evaluate potential toxic effects of stabilized sewage sludge that are currently applied to agricultural soils, three types of municipal sewage sludge and one pig slurry were subjected to phytotoxicity assays using three plants (Brassica rapa, Lolium perenne and Trifolium pratense). Equivalent batches of aerobically and anaerobically-digested sludge (F) from two municipal wastewater treatment plants, were composted (C) or thermally dried (T). In addition, one anaerobically-digested and thermally-dried pig slurry (P) was tested. A seedling growth test was performed in accordance with the OECD Guideline 208A, using seed emergence and shoot length as endpoints to identify the inhibition of plants growing in increasing doses of sludge. A correlation analysis between EC50 and physico-chemical parameters or the pollutant burden of the biosolids was also calculated. In all tests, lower germination rates were observed for T. pratense than for L. perenne and B. rapa. A moderate stimulatory effect on shoot length at low doses was observed for the three plants. In these wastes, a strong positive correlation was found between higher values of EC50 (less toxicity) and the stability degree of their organic matter, and a negative correlation between EC50 and total N, hydrolysable N or NH4-N content. No correlations were found with heavy metal or organic pollutant content in those wastes. Results indicate that digested sludge, thermally-dried sludge and thermally-dried pig slurry have non-negligible short term phytotoxic effects, and confirm that composting is an effective sludge treatment for the reduction of phytotoxicity.     

Growth,yield and physiology of Verticillium-inoculated pepper plants treated with ATAD and composted sewage sludge

Plant and Soil - A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of sanitized sewage sludges, ATAD (aerobic thermophilic autothermic digestion) and composted, on...     

Differences on nitrogen availability in a soil amended with fresh, composted and thermally-dried sewage sludge

Anaerobically-digested sludge called fresh sludge (F), composted sludge (C) and thermally-drying sludge (T), all from the same batch, were applied to the surface of a calcareous Udic Calciustept with loamy texture. Dosage equivalent was 10 t ha(-1) of dry matter. The concentration of mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) in the soil was measured in order to estimate the effects of the post-treatments to which the different kinds of sewage sludge are subjected in relation to the availability of N in the surface layer of the soil. The most significant differences in NH(4)-N and NO(3)-N concentrations due to the transformation of the organic matter were observed during the first three weeks following soil amendment. Thermally-dried and composted sludge initially displayed higher concentrations of ammonium and nitrate in soil. Five months after the amendment, soil applied with fresh sludge showed the highest concentrations of NH(4)-N and NO(3)-N (6.1 and 36.6 mg kg(-1), respectively). It is clear that the processes of composting and thermal-drying influence the bioavailability of nitrogen from the different types of sewage sludge.     

连续施用无害化污泥堆肥对沙质潮土活性有机氮组分的影响

以河南省沙质潮土为研究对象,通过2012-2016年田间连续定位试验,在小麦-玉米轮作制度下,研究单施化肥(CK)、添加污泥堆肥(CS)15 t·hm^-2(CS₁)、30 t·hm^-2(CS₂)和45 t·hm^-2(CS₃)对土壤活性氮各组分及其分配比例的影响.结果表明: 连续施用污泥堆肥能够显著提高土壤含水率,降低土壤pH,提高土壤有机碳、全氮和速效养分含量,其中全氮(TN)含量显著增加了93.1%～284.3%;施用污泥堆肥45 t·hm^-2显著提高了土壤轻组有机氮(LFON)、颗粒有机氮(PON)和微生物生物量氮(MBN).污泥堆肥促进了颗粒态有机氮(PON/TN)和微生物生物量氮(MBN/TN)分配,在CS₂处理下分别显著提高了12.3%和539.9%,而降低了土壤轻组有机氮(LFON/TN)和溶解性有机氮(DON/TN)分配,分别降低了17.3%～40.1%和38.5%～71.3%.总体上,活性氮组分对TN的贡献为:PON>LFON>DON>MBN.主成分分析表明,CS₂和CS₃处理下活性氮含量及其分配比例载荷值较高;冗余分析表明,土壤理化指标(pH除外)和生物学指标与活性氮含量及其分配比例呈正相关.污泥堆肥可提供大量稳定性有机物质,影响土壤物理、化学和生物学特性,促进土壤氮素向活性氮的形式转化,当污泥堆肥施用量达30、45 t·hm^-2时培肥效果显著,可用作沙质潮土的改良材料.     

Sanitary analysis of crude and composted activated sludge.

This paper presents a sanitary analysis of crude and composted activated sewage sludge from the sewage treatment plants in Slawa near Zielona G6ra in the period from September to December 1999. The composts were made from crude active sludge collected on 16.08.1999 with the addition of sawdust in a proportion of 15% with respect to dry sludge matter, and left in film bags with a capacity of 10 litres. Composting was carried out at a temperature of 20 degrees C for 8 weeks. Sanitary analysis of the activated sludge showed that the total quantity of bacteria, fungi, pathogenic bacteria and parasite ova was higher in the summer period compared to the spring period. The quantity of pathogenic bacteria and parasite eggs exceeded the permitted level in activated sludge designated for agricultural use. Analysis of the suitability of composts made from crude activated sludge showed that the quantity of pathogenic bacteria and parasite ova had been reduced, but was still higher than the permitted value for sewage sludge designated for agricultural use.     

Effect of composted textile sludge on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and cowpea

The effect of composted textile sludge on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and cowpea was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. The compost was incorporated into soil at 0, 9.5, 19 and 38 t ha(-1) (bases upon the N requirement of the crops, i.e., 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg available N ha(-1)). Growth, nodulation and shoot accumulation of nitrogen were evaluated 36 and 63 days after plant emergence. Nodule glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and leghemoglobin content were evaluated 63 days after emergence. Composted textile sludge did not show negative effects on nodule number and weight, nodule GS activity and leghemoglobin content. Nitrogen accumulation in shoot dry matter in soybean and cowpea was higher than other treatments with application of 19 t ha(-1) of compost. Composting can be an alternate technology for the management of solid textile mill sludge. This study verifies that the composted textile sludge was not harmful to growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and cowpea.     

Human enteropathogen load in activated sewage sludge and corresponding sewage sludge end products

This study demonstrated a significant reduction in the concentrations of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis oocysts, Giardia lamblia cysts, and spores of human-virulent microsporidia in dewatered and biologically stabilized sewage sludge cake end products compared to those of the respective pathogens in the corresponding samples collected during the sludge activation process.     

污泥蚯蚓粪对万寿菊生长发育的影响

以赤子爱胜蚓（Eisenia foetida）处理混合比例为1∶1、2∶1、3∶1、4∶1、5∶1和1∶0的污泥和牛粪得到污泥蚯蚓粪,并以10%、20%和30%（干物质量）与黑土混合,研究其对万寿菊株高、茎粗、叶片数、分枝数、地上部生物量、地下部生物量、根冠比、花蕾数、产花量、花直径和花生物量等生长发育指标的影响.结果表明：蚯蚓粪明显促进了万寿菊的生长发育;污泥和牛粪比值越小,对植物生长发育越有利;蚯蚓粪含量超过一定量,万寿菊生长发育状况有所下降,20%配比处理对万寿菊生长发育最为有利.     

Adaptive changes of chemolithoautotrophic acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria during growth in sewage sludge

A chemolithoauthotrophic, acidophilic, sulfur-oxidizing strain was isolated from sewage sludge and identified as Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The morphology and physiology of the isolate grown in mineral medium or sterilized sewage sludge were investigated. Morphological and ultrastructural differences between cells grown in mineral medium and sewage sludge were clearly visible. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed some changes in the protein expression profiles in the periplasmic fraction as well as a lower level of cytochromes. Adaptation of A. thiooxidans to sewage sludge was not only a physiological process but also included genetic changes. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed structural changes in chromosomal DNA of such bacteria. Most of the restriction fragments were highly conserved and shared by strains grown under different conditions. Cultivation in mineral medium did, however, lead to the appearance of an additional restriction fragment. In combination, the obtained results provide evidence of adaptive responses by A. thioxidans during growth in sewage sludge and confirm that this bacteria can be useful in biotechnologies of heavy metal bioleaching from different environments polluted with hazardous compounds.     

Simultaneous methanogenesis and phototrophic bacterial growth in relatively dry sewage sludge under light

Anaerobically digested sewage sludge with a variety of moisture content, namely 81%, 86%, 90% and 98%, were anaerobically cultured at 35 degrees C under light. Phototrophic bacteria grew in the 86% moisture sludge (bacteriochlorophyll a, 0.46 g/L), 90% sludge (bacteriochlorophyll a, 0.36 g/L) and 98% sludge (bacteriochlorophyll a, 0.04 g/L) with methane production. Phototrophic bacteria could not grow in the 81% moisture sludge (bacteriochlorophyll a 0.004 g/L). Phototrophic bacteria could assimilate about 46% of the extracellular ammonium in the 90% moisture sludge. Phototrophic bacteria utilized organic compounds competing with methanogens; therefore, methane yield from the 90% moisture sludge under the light conditions was lower than that under the dark conditions. Phototrophic bacteria could grow in anaerobically digested sludge with relatively low moisture content, and assimilated extracellular ammonium in the sludge. The quality of digested sludge with phototrophic bacterial biomass for fertilizer could be improved compared with that without phototrophic bacterial biomass.     

Keratinolytic fungi in sewage sludge

Sewage sludge from the Upper Silesia Region of Poland were surveyed for keratinolytic fungi. Out of 100 Petri dishes examined, 89 were positive for these micro-organisms. Altogether, 185 fungal appearances belonging to 10 species were observed. Trichophyton terrestre with its teleomorph Arthroderma quadrifidum, T. ajelloi with A. uncinatum, Microsporum gypseum with Arthroderma sp., and Chrysosporium keratinophilum with Aphanoascus keratinophilus prevailed in the sludges. The sewage treatment technologies together with the sludge structure, humidity and pH were found to be critical factors determining the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the sludge environment. The qualitative and quantitative composition of keratinolytic fungi could be a useful tool in evaluation of sludge treatment processes.     

施用污泥对小白菜生长及其迁转重金属的影响

采用盆栽方式,以厦门市筼筜污水处理厂的污泥作为有机肥种植小白菜,探讨污泥施用对小白菜生长和产量的影响及重金属在小白菜-土壤间的迁移转化和积累情况.结果表明:污泥中氮、磷、钾和有机质含量丰富,重金属含量均低于国家农用污泥中污染物控制标准;适宜的污泥施用量可促进小白菜的生长,污泥用量为5%时,小白菜长势最好,生物量最大;污...     

Microbial populations and sludge characteristics in thermophilic aerobic sewage sludge digestion

Summary Estimates of bacterial numbers from raw sewage sludge and sludge treated by thermophilic aerobic digestion were compared with simple indicators of sludge quality and concentrations of potential substrates. Significant differences were found between sludge types for all but one of the variables examined (frequency of dividing cells). During a stable period of digestor operation, the average number of viable obligate thermophiles present in digested sludge (1.63 × 10⁶ ml^–1) was approximately 10²-fold greater than in feed sludge (1.10 × 10⁴ ml^–1). Total numbers of bacteria were slightly greater in digested sludge (3.24 × 10¹⁰ ml^–1) than in feed sludge (2.39 × 10 ml^–10), as were viable counts of bacteria at incubation temperatures of 37°C and 55°C. Significant correlation was found between viable counts of bacteria at 37°C and 55°C for digested sludge, and 65°C and 55°C for feed sludge. The numbers of obligate thermophiles present and the total of bacteria present were related to the temperature and pH of the digested sludge and inversely related to the numbers ofEscherichia coli and coliforms present, which were not detected at temperatures greater than 50°C.     

Vermistabilization of primary sewage sludge

An integrated composting-vermicomposting process has been developed for utilization of primary sewage sludge (PSS). Matured vermicompost was used as bulking material and a source of active microbial culture during aerobic activated composting (AAC). AAC resulted in sufficient enrichment of bulking material with organic matter after 20 cycles of recycling and mixing with PSS and produced materials acceptable for vermicomposting. Vermicomposting caused significant reduction in pH, volatile solids (VS), specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), total organic carbon (TOC), C/N ratio and pathogens and substantial increase in electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) as compared to compost. Environmental conditions and stocking density have profound effects on vermicomposting. Temperature of 20 °C with high humidity is favorable environmental condition for vermicomposting employing Eisenia fetida. Favorable stocking density range for vermiculture is 0.5-2.0 kg m⁻² (optimum: 0.5 kg m⁻²) and for vermicomposting is 2.0-4.0 kg m⁻² (optimum: 3.0 kg m⁻²), respectively.     

Mycoflora of activated sewage sludge

Thirty-eight species of fungi were identified in pure culture after isolation from activated sewage sludge by serial dilution. Nine species and genera were identified that had not been previously reported.In 1963, Cooke (1) published an excellent laboratory guide on the identification of fungi from polluted water, sewage, and sewage treatment systems; of approximately 30 papers cited only one (2) dealt with fungi from activated sewage sludge. Later (1970), Cooke & Pipes (3) enumerated 47 fungi consisting of 4 genera of yeasts and 33 genera of filamentous fungi that had been isolated from activated sludge. This paper reports the mycoflora of anaerobically digested sludge from a residential area in Auburn, Alabama.