1st Edition

Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids

By Eliot Epstein Copyright 2003
    216 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    214 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Over 50 percent of the 6,900 million dry tons of sewage sludge generated each year in the United States is land applied. The principal controversies surrounding the land application of biosolids involve heavy metals and pathogens. Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids is a comprehensive, scientific text providing a complete review of various aspects of this controversial subject, from an extensive discussion of heavy metals and pathogens to the fate and effects of organic compounds. Consideration is given to crop removal of metals and organics, soil erosion, and leaching, as well as to differing approaches and regulations in Europe and Canada. The result is an authoritative, science-based, and unbiased perspective on the benefits and the potential risks of land application to human health and the environment.

    About the Author:

    Elliot Epstein, Ph.D. is Chief Environmental Scientist for Tetra Tech, Inc. and an adjunct professor of public health at Boston University School of Public Health. He received his Ph.D. in soil physics from Purdue University and served as a research leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service for 16 years. Dr. Epstein has more than 30 years of experience in biosolids composting, and has managed or directed more than 400 composting projects. He has consulted on composting and biosolids management for the USEPA, World Bank, and United Nations.

    Land Application of Biosolids: A Prospective
    Introduction
    Use and Disposal of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids
    Systems for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids
    History of Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids
    Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Production
    Conclusion
    References

    Sewage Sludge and Biosolids' Characteristics
    Introduction
    Physical Properties
    Chemical Properties
    Trace Elements, Heavy Metals, and Micronutrients
    Organic Compounds
    Acidity (pH)
    Plant Nutrients
    Biological Properties
    Microbiological
    Organic Matter
    Conclusion
    References

    Plant Nutrients
    Introduction
    Nitrogen
    Ammonification
    Nitrification
    Immobilization
    Denitrification
    Volatilization
    Mineralization
    Phosphorus
    Potassium
    Micronutrients
    Conclusion
    References

    Trace Elements: Heavy Metals and Micronutrients
    Introduction
    Sources of Trace Elements, Heavy Metals, and Micronutrients in the Environment
    Trace Elements in Biosolids
    Trace Elements in Animals, Humans, Soils and Plants
    Arsenic (As)
    Animals and Humans
    Soils
    Plants
    Cadmium (Cd)
    Animals and Humans
    Soil
    Plants
    Chromium (Cr)
    Animals and Humans
    Soils
    Plants
    Copper (Cu)
    Animals and Humans
    Soils
    Plants
    Lead (Pb)
    Animals and Humans
    Soils
    Plants
    Mercury (Hg)
    Animals and Humans
    Soils
    Plants
    Molybdenum (Mo)
    Animals and Humans
    Soils
    Plants
    Nickel (Ni)
    Animals and Humans
    Soil
    Plants
    Selenium (Se)
    Soil
    Plants
    Zinc (Zn)
    Animals and Humans
    Soil
    Plants
    Conclusion
    References

    The Effect of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids on Uptake of Trace Elements and Reactions in Soil
    Introduction
    Plant Uptake of Heavy Metals
    Reactions and Movement in Soils
    Conclusion
    References

    Organic Chemicals
    Introduction
    Fate of Toxic Organic Compounds when Biosolids are Land Applied
    Photodecomposition
    Degradation
    Plant Uptake of Organic Compounds
    Conclusion
    References

    Pathogens in Wastewater and Biosolids
    Introduction
    Pathogens in Wastewater, Sludge and Biosolids
    Removal of Pathogens by Wastewater Treatment Processes
    Effect of Biosolids Treatment
    Aerobic Digestion
    Anaerobic digestion
    Composting
    Heat Drying
    Alkaline stabilization
    Conclusion
    References

    Pathogens in Soils and on Plants
    Introduction
    Pathogens in Soils
    Bacteria
    Viruses
    Parasites
    Pathogens on Plants
    Conclusion
    References

    Land Application: Agricultural Crop Responses
    Introduction
    Agronomic Crops
    Research Results Prior to 1970
    Research Results 1970 to 2001
    Forestry and Reclamation
    Forestry
    Reclamation
    Conclusion
    References

    Effect of Land Application of Biosolids on Animals and Other Organisms
    Introduction
    Animals
    Domestic
    Wildlife
    Microbial
    Earthworms
    Conclusion
    References

    Regulations
    Introduction
    Concepts and Approaches to Regulations
    United States
    Method I. 185
    Method II.
    Class A Requirements
    Process Requirements
    Alternative 1. Thermally Treated Sewage Sludge
    [(503.32(a)(3)] 1
    Alternative 2. Sewage Sludge Treated in a High pH-temperature Process (Alkaline Treatment) [503.329(a) (94)]
    Alternative 3. Sewage Sludge Treated in Other Processes [503.32(a)(5)]
    Alternative 4. Sewage Sludge Treated in Unknown Processes [503.31(a)(6)].
    Alternative 5. Use of Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) [503.32(a)(7)]
    Alternative 6. Use of a Process Equivalent to PFRP [503.32(a)(8)]
    Class B Requirements
    Canada
    Europe
    Conclusion
    References

    Biography

    Eliot Epstein is Chief Environmental Scientist for Tetra Tech, Inc. and an adjunct professor of public health at Boston University School of Public Health at the School of Medicine. He received his B.S. degree in Forestry from New York College of Forestry at Syracuse University, an M.S. degree in Agronomy from the University of Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. in soil physics from Purdue University. For 16 years he was a research leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and an adjunct professor of soil physics at the University of Maine. His research there concentrated on soil erosion and runoff and soil water relations of plants., In 1972, Dr. Epstein transferred to the USDA ARS research center in Beltsville, Maryland, where he conducted research on the use of biosolids, and where, in 1975, he researched and developed the aerated static pile method (ASP). In 1980, he became president of E&A Environmental Consultants, Inc., a premier company in composting and beneficial use of organic materials. In that capacity, he was the principal-in-charge of numerous projects conducted by the staff located in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Washington State., Dr. Epstein has more than 30 years of experience in biosolids composting, and has managed or directed more than 400 composting projects in the United States, Canada and Europe. He consulted on composting and biosolids management for the US EPA, World Bank and United Nations. In 2001, Dr. Epstein and his staff joined Tetra Tech, Inc., a leading company in water reuse, wastewater and beneficial use of organic residues.