Use of wastewater alum-coagulation sludge as a phosphorus fertiliser - a mini review.

Loganathan, P; Kandasamy, J; Ratnaweera, H; Vigneswaran, S

Use of wastewater alum-coagulation sludge as a phosphorus fertiliser - a mini review.

Loganathan, P Kandasamy, J

Ratnaweera, H Vigneswaran, S

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Publisher:: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024, 31, (12), pp. 18412-18421
Issue Date:: 2024-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Loganathan, P
dc.contributor.author	Kandasamy, J https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0160-3519
dc.contributor.author	Ratnaweera, H
dc.contributor.author	Vigneswaran, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8117-4322
dc.date.accessioned	2024-12-06T03:17:59Z
dc.date.available	2024-02-12
dc.date.available	2024-12-06T03:17:59Z
dc.date.issued	2024-03
dc.identifier.citation	Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024, 31, (12), pp. 18412-18421
dc.identifier.issn	0944-1344
dc.identifier.issn	1614-7499
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/182398
dc.description.abstract	The use of aluminium (Al) salts, particularly alum, in coagulation is a widespread and conventional treatment method for eliminating pollutants, including phosphorus (P) which can cause eutrophication, from wastewater. However, a significant challenge of this process is the substantial amount of sludge generated, necessitating proper disposal. Historically, land disposal has been a common practice, but it poses potential issues for plant life on these lands. Despite the associated drawbacks, sludge contains elevated concentrations of vital plant nutrients like P and nitrogen, presenting an opportunity for beneficial use in agriculture. Given the imminent scarcity of P fertilizers due to the eventual depletion of high-grade P ores, this review explores the potential advantages and challenges of utilizing Al sludge as a P source for plants and proposes measures for its beneficial application. One primary concern with land application of Al sludge is its high levels of soluble Al, known to be toxic to plants, particularly in acidic soils. Another issue arises from the elevated Al concentration is P fixation and subsequently reducing P uptake by plants. To address these issues, soil treatment options such as lime, gypsum, and organic matter can be employed. Additionally, modifying the coagulation process by substituting part of the Al salts with cationic organic polymers proves effective in reducing the Al content of the sludge. The gradual release of P from sludge into the soil over time proves beneficial for plants with extended growth periods.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
dc.relation.ispartof	Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11356-024-32497-6
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	03 Chemical Sciences, 05 Environmental Sciences, 06 Biological Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences
dc.subject.mesh	Wastewater
dc.subject.mesh	Sewage
dc.subject.mesh	Fertilizers
dc.subject.mesh	Phosphorus
dc.subject.mesh	Salts
dc.subject.mesh	Soil
dc.subject.mesh	Plants
dc.subject.mesh	Alum Compounds
dc.subject.mesh	Plants
dc.subject.mesh	Alum Compounds
dc.subject.mesh	Phosphorus
dc.subject.mesh	Salts
dc.subject.mesh	Soil
dc.subject.mesh	Fertilizers
dc.subject.mesh	Sewage
dc.subject.mesh	Wastewater
dc.subject.mesh	Wastewater
dc.subject.mesh	Sewage
dc.subject.mesh	Fertilizers
dc.subject.mesh	Phosphorus
dc.subject.mesh	Salts
dc.subject.mesh	Soil
dc.subject.mesh	Plants
dc.subject.mesh	Alum Compounds
dc.title	Use of wastewater alum-coagulation sludge as a phosphorus fertiliser - a mini review.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	31
utslib.location.activity	Germany
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2024-12-06T03:17:57Z
pubs.issue	12
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	31
utslib.citation.issue	12

Abstract:

The use of aluminium (Al) salts, particularly alum, in coagulation is a widespread and conventional treatment method for eliminating pollutants, including phosphorus (P) which can cause eutrophication, from wastewater. However, a significant challenge of this process is the substantial amount of sludge generated, necessitating proper disposal. Historically, land disposal has been a common practice, but it poses potential issues for plant life on these lands. Despite the associated drawbacks, sludge contains elevated concentrations of vital plant nutrients like P and nitrogen, presenting an opportunity for beneficial use in agriculture. Given the imminent scarcity of P fertilizers due to the eventual depletion of high-grade P ores, this review explores the potential advantages and challenges of utilizing Al sludge as a P source for plants and proposes measures for its beneficial application. One primary concern with land application of Al sludge is its high levels of soluble Al, known to be toxic to plants, particularly in acidic soils. Another issue arises from the elevated Al concentration is P fixation and subsequently reducing P uptake by plants. To address these issues, soil treatment options such as lime, gypsum, and organic matter can be employed. Additionally, modifying the coagulation process by substituting part of the Al salts with cationic organic polymers proves effective in reducing the Al content of the sludge. The gradual release of P from sludge into the soil over time proves beneficial for plants with extended growth periods.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/182398