Characterization of Waste Activated Sludge for Sustainable Disposal in Jamaica

Authors

Barrett, Brandeice

Aples, Nilza

Abstract

The sustainable management of waste activated sludge (WAS) involves the recovery and reuse of valuable products whilst minimizing any possible adverse impact on the environment. This study explored the possible disposal options for the sludge, generated by different activated sludge systems in Jamaica, based on the parameters of pH, EC, heavy metal concentration, and proximate analysis. The correlation between the easy to measure properties such pH. EC and volatile matter and the time-intensive parameter of heavy metal concentrations and lipid yield were also assessed. Based on the measured parameters it was found that the sludge was not a suitable bioenergy source due to the high volatile matter and low fixed carbon content. On the other hand, the sludge samples were found to be basic in nature with a pH of 7.46 - 7.94, had a low salinity with EC values ranging from 727.7 μS/ cm - 1735.7 μS/ cm, sufficient organic matter content of 33.49 to 52.40%d.m and low heavy metal concentrations. These results suggest that sludge application to soil may positively affect the physicochemical properties of soil.