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Biodegradation of Land‐Applied Sludge
Author(s) -
Boyle Michael
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1990.00472425001900040002x
Subject(s) - decomposer , biodegradation , activated sludge , anaerobic digestion , waste management , decomposition , environmental science , sewage sludge treatment , waste treatment , environmental engineering , sewage treatment , chemistry , methane , ecology , ecosystem , engineering , biology , organic chemistry
The economic and environmental costs of sludge disposal are escalating rapidly. There is a need to increase the rate of decomposition during and after sludge formation. Sludge formation often determines which environmental factors and enzymatic reactions are effective in further degrading this complex substrate. From activated waste treatment through anaerobic digestion to land application, there is a decrease in the volume but an increase in the stabilization of the remaining organic material. Before we can design better methods for land disposal or “engineer” better microbial decomposers, the limitations of sludge decay must first be addressed.