The possible environmental impacts of the biosolids in the worldwide

Abstract

Biosolids are a beneficial resource, containing foundation nutrients and organic matter when recycled as a fertilizer and soil change. In the world, to protect human health and the environment, wastewater biosolids must be treated to meet the EPA’s 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 503 regulatory requirements if they are to be recycled as biosolids. Biosolids is generally used after applicable beneficial recycling criteria have been achieved at the outlet of the stabilization process. Common stabilization processes include: aerobic and anaerobic degradation, composting, alkaline stabilization, thermal drying, thermophilic pozzolanic fixation, acid oxidation/disinfection, heat treatment/acid digestion. Biosolids are mainly a mix of water and organic matter that are a by-product of the wastewater treatment plants. Biosolids may contain: macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur) and micronutrients (copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, boron, molybdenum, manganese). Biosolids may also contain traces of synthetic organic compounds and metals. These trace compounds can limit the uses for biosolids, with all potential uses regulated by appropriate government officials in each region.

The benefits of biosolids are dependent on several factors. However, generally the benefits include: precious source of organic matter, which assists in the improvement of soil structure; rich nutrient fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus; precious on cropland; good iron fertilizer, better than commercial fertilizers for iron; groundwater protection-organic nitrogen in sludge is much less likely to cause groundwater pollution than chemical nitrogen fertilizers; and reduced landfill disposal. There are many potential uses of biosolids and specific resources, including. The aim of this review is to provide information on recent research progresses and regulation efforts regarding different applications of biosolids, including forms and values of biosolids, environmental impacts, with emphasis on its land application in agriculture. Therefore, more research and regulations are expected to minimize potential risks of biosolids land application, especially its long-term impacts.