We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characterization of Phosphorus Recovered from Sewage Sludge Ash: A Brazil Case Study
Summary
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper focuses on recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash for use as agricultural fertilizer; while it mentions microplastics as one reason the raw sludge is not directly reused, the study itself is about phosphorus recovery chemistry.
The lack of interest in the reuse of phosphorus in agriculture is mainly due to the high abundance of pathogens, organic pollutants, microplastics, and possibly toxic metals. Therefore, different forms of treatment are necessary to take advantage of phosphorus recovery potential, one of which is the use of ash from incinerated/calcined biological sludge. A high rate of conversion of the non-apatite inorganic phosphorus fraction into apatite phosphorus was obtained in this study because of the use of commercially pure CaO additive in the dry sludge calcination tests, which is more bioavailable to plants. The obtained phosphorus pentoxide content ranged from 12 to 17%, surpassing several phosphorus-based raw materials and fertilizers. In addition, the ashes have been shown to contain toxic metals far below those recommended by Brazilian and international environmental legislation, so they can be applied directly to the soil for crop fertilization, or be used in P extraction and separation technologies for fertilizer production.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Biochar-Based Phosphorus Recovery from Different Waste Streams: Sources, Mechanisms, and Performance
This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it reviews biochar-based methods for recovering phosphorus from wastewater and waste streams, focusing on nutrient cycling and eutrophication prevention rather than microplastic contamination.
Sewage Sludge Valorization via Hydrothermal Carbonization: Optimizing Dewaterability and Phosphorus Release
This study optimized conditions for hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge, finding that the process improves sludge dewaterability and can release phosphorus for potential nutrient recovery. While not directly about microplastics, sewage sludge is a major reservoir of microplastics that accumulates during wastewater treatment, and managing sludge safely is important for preventing plastic particles from reaching agricultural soils.
P-recovery versus current sewage sludge treatment policy in the Czech Republic and Japan
This paper is not about microplastics; it compares phosphorus-recovery policies from sewage sludge in the Czech Republic and Japan, finding both countries lose significant recoverable phosphorus through current treatment and disposal practices.
Stabilized Sewage Sludge as Fertilizer: Risks Related to the Presence of Microplastics
Researchers analyzed microplastic content in sewage sludge-derived fertilizer collected in June and July, finding an average of ~460 mg of microplastics per 100 g of fertilizer with fragments and fibers predominating — raising concerns about agricultural land contamination from sewage sludge application.
Fate of microplastics in sewage sludge and in agricultural soils
Researchers reviewed how microplastics accumulate in sewage sludge at wastewater treatment plants and then spread into agricultural soils when that sludge is applied as fertilizer, finding that sludge treatment processes can alter microplastic size and shape but do not eliminate them. The review calls for standardized methods to study how different sludge treatments affect microplastic properties and their downstream risks to soil health.