Agricultural Value of Irradiated Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludges

摘要

A study is reported to determine the availability of nutrients and heavy metals in sludge irradiated with high energy electrons for disinfection. Differences among plant species in the ability to absorb heavy metals in irradiated sludge, and heavy metal availability in different types of irradiated sludge are also examined. High energy electrons are used because they are intrinsically safer than radioactive sources. Both irradiated and non-irradiated sludges obtained from the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant of Boston, Massachusetts were used to grow a variety of crops under field and controlled-environment conditions. Results at the end of one and two years indicate that availability of elements in sludge irradiated with high-energy electrons is similar to that of non-irradiated sludge.