Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Application of gamma irradiation in recycling and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms of municipal sewage sludge in South of Tehran for production of soil organic fertilizer

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

E. Moghiseh 1
F. Kiyanbakht 2
Kh. Bagheri 2
S. Shahbazi 1

1 Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, P.O.Box: 31465-1498, Karaj – Iran

2 Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, P.O.Box: 313-45195, Zanjan – Iran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2024.1564
Abstract
Sewage sludge is an inevitable byproduct of wastewater treatment plants and a valuable source of essential plant nutrients. With inactivation of its pathogenic microorganisms by gamma radiation can be recycled as soil organic fertilizer. This research evaluates the sludge treatment by gamma irradiation with/without pasteurization on the removal of main indicators pathogenic in the South of Tehran waste water treatment plant sludge (WWPTs). Gamma irradiation (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 kGy), pasteurization (70 and 180 °C) and their combination were used to examine bacterial indicators such as Fecal Coliform, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Escherichia (E. coli). There were some pathogenic bacteria in this organic fertilizer that exceeded the standards and could not be classified as class B or P3 according to the American and Iranian standards. Application of gamma irradiation at least 10 kGy dose, alone, and combination of gamma irradiation (at least 10 kGy) and pasteurization were sufficient for complete inactivation of four pathogenic bacteria indicators, However, the pasteurization methods alone were not able for removal them completely. Generally, gamma irradiation of sewage sludge to produce organic soil fertilizer is carried out in accordance with national and international standards. It is sufficient and cost-effective compared to two methods.

Highlights

  1. Regitano J.B, Rodrigues M.M, Lucio M.G, Flávio O.J, Gomes V.D, José de S.A. Sustainable Management and Utilization of Sewage Sludge. Edited by V.D. Rajput, A.N. Yadav, H.S. Jatav, S.K. Singh, and T. Minkina (Springer I, Switzerland AG) 2022;1-28.

 

  1. Muter O, Laila D, Oleg K, Jana C, Ina A. Hazardous Waste Management; Edited by R.B. Jeyakumar, K. Sankarapandian and Y.K. Ravi. (IntechOpen. Com) 2022.

 

  1. Grubel K, Machnicka A, Nowicka E, Wacławek S. Mesophilic-thermophilic fermentation process of waste activated sludge after hybrid disintegration. Eco. Chem. and Engin. 2014;21:125-136.

 

  1. Ghorbani M, Konvalina P, Walkiewicz A, Neugschwandtner R.W, Kopecký M, Zamanian K, Chen W.H, Bucur D. Feasibility of biochar derived from sewage sludge to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate GHG emissions—A Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2022;19:12983.

 

  1. Tasca A.L, Puccini M, Gori R, Corsi I, Galletti A.M.R, Vitolo S. Hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge: A critical analysis of process severity, hydrochar properties and environmental implications. Waste Manage. 2019;93:1–13.

 

  1. Buta M, Hubeny J, Zieliński W, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E. Sewage sludge in agriculture—The effects of selected chemical pollutants and emerging genetic resistance determinants on the quality of soil and crops—A review. Ecotoxi. and Environ. Safety. 2021;214:112070.

 

  1. Li M, Song G, Liu R, Huang X, Liu H. Inactivation and risk control of pathogenic microorganisms in municipal sludge treatment: A review. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2022;16(6):70.

 

  1. US EPA. Environmental Regulations and Technology: Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge. Office of Research and Development. EPA/625/R-92/013. 2003.

 

  1. Iranian National Standardization Organization. Municipal wastewater treatment plant biosolids- Specifications and Monitoring. INSO, 22967, 1st Edition. 2021 [In Persian].

 

  1. Lessel T. Sewage sludge and wastewater for use in agriculture. Edited by IAEA. TECDOC-971. 1997.

 

  1. El-Motaium R. Proceedings of the 2nd Environmental Physics Conference In (Alexandria, Egypt). 2006:169-182.

 

  1. Wang J, Wang J. Application of radiation technology to sewage sludge processing: a review. J. of Hazard. Mat. 2007;143:2-7.

 

  1. Engohang-Ndong J, Uribe R.M, Gregory R, Gangoda M, Nickelsen M.G, Loar P. Effect of electron beam irradiation on bacterial and Ascaris ova loads and volatile organic compounds in municipal sewage sludge. Radiat. Phys. Chem. 2015;112:6–12.

 

  1. Limam R.D, Limam I, Clerandeau C, Khouatmia M, Djebali W, Cachot J, Chouari R. Assessment of the toxicity and the fertilizing power from application of gamma irradiated anaerobic sludge as fertilizer: effect on Vicia faba growth. Radiate. Phys. Chem. 2018;150:163–168.

 

  1. Chmielewski A.G, Sudlitz M. Zero energy electron beam technology for sludge hygienization. Nukleonika. 2019;64:55–63.

 

  1. Ranković B, Sagatova A, Vujčić I, Mašić S, Veljović Đ, Pavićević V, Kamberović Ž. Utilization of gamma and e-beam irradiation in the treatment of waste sludge from a drinking water treatment plant. Radiate. Phys. Chem. 2020;177:109174.

 

  1. Watanabe H, Takehisa M. Disinfection of sewage sludge cake by gamma-irradiation. Radiate. Phys. Chem. 1984;24(1):41-54.

 

  1. Farzadkia M, Jafarzadeh N, Loveimi asl L, Ghalambor A. Wastewater sludge stabilization using lime a case study of west Ahwaz wastewater treatment plant. J. Water and Wastewat. 2009;19(4):67-71 [In Persian].

 

  1. Nakhla S.F, Arafa A, Naga I.S, Mohamed M, Alsherbeny H.A, Fahmi N.M, Hosny H, Moussa S. Primary and secondary sludge treatment using ionizing radiation technology in Alexandria. Egypt. App. Rad. Is. 2022;181:110101.

 

  1. Jebri S, Yahya M, Rahmani F, Amri I, Hamdi M, Hmaied F. Inactivation of biohazards in healthcare wastewater by E‑Beam and Gamma irradiation: a comparative study. Environ. Sci. and Pol. Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21159-0. 2022.

 

  1. Betesho R, Ghotbikohan K, Nabardi F, Rafiee R. A Study on the Effect of Gamma Rays on Reducing the Burden of Some Pathogens in Sewage Sludge. J. Nu. Sci. and Tech. 2017;78:24-33.

 

  1. Asgari Lajayer B, Najafi N, Moghiseh E, Mosaferi M, Hadian J. Effects of gamma irradiation on physicochemical and biological characteristics of wastewater effluent and sludge. Inter. J. Environ. Sci. Tech. 2020;17:1021–1034.

 

  1. Soil and Water Research Institute, Methodology for registration of fertilizers. Fourth Season. Registration of organic fertilizers. 2016 [In Persian].

 

  1. https://www.tpww.ir/fa. 2020.

 

  1. Priyadarshini J, Roy P, Mazumdar A. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of sewage sludge by Gamma irradiation with pasteurization as a tool for hygienization. J. Inst. Engine. Series A. 2014;95(1):49-54.

 

  1. Bagge E, Sahlström L, Albihn A. The effect of hygienic treatment on the microbial flora of biowaste at biogas plants. Water Res. 2005;39:4879–4886.

 

  1. Merck E. Microbiology Manual. Darmstadt. 1991.

 

  1. https://biit.cs.ut.ee/clustvis/ 2022.

 

  1. Li B, Ju F, Cai L, Zhang T. Profile and fate of bacterial pathogens in sewage treatment plants revealed by high-throughput metagenomic approach. Environ. Sci. & Tech. 2015;49(17):10492–10502.

 

  1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Irradiated sewage sludge for application to cropland. Results of a coordinated research project, International Atomic Energy Agency Press. Vienna, Austria. 2002.

 

  1. Tahri L, Elgarrouj D, Zantar S, Mouhib M, Azmani A, Sayah F. Wastewater treatment using gamma irradiation: Tétouan pilot station. Morocco. Radiate. Phys. and Chem. 2010;79:424-428.

 

  1. Da Silva Aquino K.A. Sterilization by gamma irradiation. (Intech Open Access Publisher) 2012.

Keywords

Gamma Irradiation
Recycling Sewage sludge
Pathogenic microorganisms
Soil Organic Fertilizer
South of Tehran waste water treatment plant
  1. Regitano J.B, Rodrigues M.M, Lucio M.G, Flávio O.J, Gomes V.D, José de S.A. Sustainable Management and Utilization of Sewage Sludge. Edited by V.D. Rajput, A.N. Yadav, H.S. Jatav, S.K. Singh, and T. Minkina (Springer I, Switzerland AG) 2022;1-28.

 

  1. Muter O, Laila D, Oleg K, Jana C, Ina A. Hazardous Waste Management; Edited by R.B. Jeyakumar, K. Sankarapandian and Y.K. Ravi. (IntechOpen. Com) 2022.

 

  1. Grubel K, Machnicka A, Nowicka E, Wacławek S. Mesophilic-thermophilic fermentation process of waste activated sludge after hybrid disintegration. Eco. Chem. and Engin. 2014;21:125-136.

 

  1. Ghorbani M, Konvalina P, Walkiewicz A, Neugschwandtner R.W, Kopecký M, Zamanian K, Chen W.H, Bucur D. Feasibility of biochar derived from sewage sludge to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate GHG emissions—A Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2022;19:12983.

 

  1. Tasca A.L, Puccini M, Gori R, Corsi I, Galletti A.M.R, Vitolo S. Hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge: A critical analysis of process severity, hydrochar properties and environmental implications. Waste Manage. 2019;93:1–13.

 

  1. Buta M, Hubeny J, Zieliński W, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E. Sewage sludge in agriculture—The effects of selected chemical pollutants and emerging genetic resistance determinants on the quality of soil and crops—A review. Ecotoxi. and Environ. Safety. 2021;214:112070.

 

  1. Li M, Song G, Liu R, Huang X, Liu H. Inactivation and risk control of pathogenic microorganisms in municipal sludge treatment: A review. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2022;16(6):70.

 

  1. US EPA. Environmental Regulations and Technology: Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge. Office of Research and Development. EPA/625/R-92/013. 2003.

 

  1. Iranian National Standardization Organization. Municipal wastewater treatment plant biosolids- Specifications and Monitoring. INSO, 22967, 1st Edition. 2021 [In Persian].

 

  1. Lessel T. Sewage sludge and wastewater for use in agriculture. Edited by IAEA. TECDOC-971. 1997.

 

  1. El-Motaium R. Proceedings of the 2nd Environmental Physics Conference In (Alexandria, Egypt). 2006:169-182.

 

  1. Wang J, Wang J. Application of radiation technology to sewage sludge processing: a review. J. of Hazard. Mat. 2007;143:2-7.

 

  1. Engohang-Ndong J, Uribe R.M, Gregory R, Gangoda M, Nickelsen M.G, Loar P. Effect of electron beam irradiation on bacterial and Ascaris ova loads and volatile organic compounds in municipal sewage sludge. Radiat. Phys. Chem. 2015;112:6–12.

 

  1. Limam R.D, Limam I, Clerandeau C, Khouatmia M, Djebali W, Cachot J, Chouari R. Assessment of the toxicity and the fertilizing power from application of gamma irradiated anaerobic sludge as fertilizer: effect on Vicia faba growth. Radiate. Phys. Chem. 2018;150:163–168.

 

  1. Chmielewski A.G, Sudlitz M. Zero energy electron beam technology for sludge hygienization. Nukleonika. 2019;64:55–63.

 

  1. Ranković B, Sagatova A, Vujčić I, Mašić S, Veljović Đ, Pavićević V, Kamberović Ž. Utilization of gamma and e-beam irradiation in the treatment of waste sludge from a drinking water treatment plant. Radiate. Phys. Chem. 2020;177:109174.

 

  1. Watanabe H, Takehisa M. Disinfection of sewage sludge cake by gamma-irradiation. Radiate. Phys. Chem. 1984;24(1):41-54.

 

  1. Farzadkia M, Jafarzadeh N, Loveimi asl L, Ghalambor A. Wastewater sludge stabilization using lime a case study of west Ahwaz wastewater treatment plant. J. Water and Wastewat. 2009;19(4):67-71 [In Persian].

 

  1. Nakhla S.F, Arafa A, Naga I.S, Mohamed M, Alsherbeny H.A, Fahmi N.M, Hosny H, Moussa S. Primary and secondary sludge treatment using ionizing radiation technology in Alexandria. Egypt. App. Rad. Is. 2022;181:110101.

 

  1. Jebri S, Yahya M, Rahmani F, Amri I, Hamdi M, Hmaied F. Inactivation of biohazards in healthcare wastewater by E‑Beam and Gamma irradiation: a comparative study. Environ. Sci. and Pol. Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21159-0. 2022.

 

  1. Betesho R, Ghotbikohan K, Nabardi F, Rafiee R. A Study on the Effect of Gamma Rays on Reducing the Burden of Some Pathogens in Sewage Sludge. J. Nu. Sci. and Tech. 2017;78:24-33.

 

  1. Asgari Lajayer B, Najafi N, Moghiseh E, Mosaferi M, Hadian J. Effects of gamma irradiation on physicochemical and biological characteristics of wastewater effluent and sludge. Inter. J. Environ. Sci. Tech. 2020;17:1021–1034.

 

  1. Soil and Water Research Institute, Methodology for registration of fertilizers. Fourth Season. Registration of organic fertilizers. 2016 [In Persian].

 

  1. https://www.tpww.ir/fa. 2020.

 

  1. Priyadarshini J, Roy P, Mazumdar A. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of sewage sludge by Gamma irradiation with pasteurization as a tool for hygienization. J. Inst. Engine. Series A. 2014;95(1):49-54.

 

  1. Bagge E, Sahlström L, Albihn A. The effect of hygienic treatment on the microbial flora of biowaste at biogas plants. Water Res. 2005;39:4879–4886.

 

  1. Merck E. Microbiology Manual. Darmstadt. 1991.

 

  1. https://biit.cs.ut.ee/clustvis/ 2022.

 

  1. Li B, Ju F, Cai L, Zhang T. Profile and fate of bacterial pathogens in sewage treatment plants revealed by high-throughput metagenomic approach. Environ. Sci. & Tech. 2015;49(17):10492–10502.

 

  1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Irradiated sewage sludge for application to cropland. Results of a coordinated research project, International Atomic Energy Agency Press. Vienna, Austria. 2002.

 

  1. Tahri L, Elgarrouj D, Zantar S, Mouhib M, Azmani A, Sayah F. Wastewater treatment using gamma irradiation: Tétouan pilot station. Morocco. Radiate. Phys. and Chem. 2010;79:424-428.

 

  1. Da Silva Aquino K.A. Sterilization by gamma irradiation. (Intech Open Access Publisher) 2012.

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