Wastewater Sewage Sludge Management via Production of the Energy Crop Virginia Mallow

Wastewater treatment plants are facilities where wastewater is treated by technological processes. A byproduct of a wastewater treatment plant is sewage sludge, which can be both a good soil conditioner and a source of nutrients for the crops to which it is applied. Energy crops are non-food plants that can cleanse the soil of heavy metals through their ability to phytoremediate. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of different amounts of sewage sludge on soil and plants. In the experiment Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita L.) was used and the influence of stabilized sewage sludge in the amounts of 1.66, 3.32 and 6.64 t/ha dry matter on the energy composition and biomass yield was observed.The obtained results showed a yield of 8.85 t/ha at the maximum amount of sewage sludge used. Hemicellulose content was 20.20% in the application of 6.64 t/ha of sewage sludge and 19.70% in the control, while lignin content was 17.97% in the control and 16.77% in the maximum amount of sewage sludge. The heavy metals molybdenum and nickel did not differ significantly under the influence of larger amounts of sewage sludge, while manganese increased from 23.66 to 35.82 mg/kg.

Automated summary

Wastewater treatment plants are facilities that use technological processes to treat wastewater, with sewage sludge being a byproduct that can improve soil condition and provide nutrients for crops. This study investigated the effects of different amounts of sewage sludge on soil and plants, finding that the highest yield was obtained with the maximum amount of sludge. The application of sludge affected the energy composition and biomass yield of the plants, while having minimal impact on heavy metal contamination.