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1B+C Abiotic Transformations + Biodegradation (MOP/41) Bioprocessing of sewage sludge for safe recycling on agricultural land - BIOWASTE. Schmidt, Jens Ejbye1, Angelidaki, Irini1, Christensen, Nina1, Batstone, Damien John1, Lyberatos, Gerasimos 2, Stamatelatou, Katerina 2, Lichtfouse, Eric3, Metzger, Laure 4, Borghi, Veronica 5, Montcada, Eloi 5, 1 Environment & Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark2 Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece3 European Assoc. of Chemistry and the Environment-ACE, Dijon, France4 Recherche innovation et transfert de technologie pour les matiëres fertilisantes organiques, Aspach le Bas, France5 Environmental Dept., Randa Group, Barcelona, Spain ABSTRACT- Disposal and handling of sewage sludge are an increasing problem in Europe due to increasing quantities of sewage sludge produced. A large amount of the sewage sludge contains small fractions of toxic chemicals, which results in problems with safe use of the sewage sludge on agricultural land. From an ecological and economical point of view, it would be essential to establish methodologies, which could allow sewage sludge to be reused as fertilizers on agricultural land. Energy efficient biotreatment processes of organic waste are, therefore, of crucial importance. BIOWASTE will offer an integrated study of this area. The typical composition of sewage sludge will be characterized with regard to key contaminating compounds. The following compounds will be in focus: Emulsifying agents as nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) derived from incomplete combustion processes, and phthalates, which are used as additives in plastics and surfactants such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). Analytical techniques suitable for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the chemical species involved in the processes under investigation will be determined. Bacteria that are able to degrade selected contaminating compounds under anaerobic and aerobic conditions will be isolated, characterized and bioaugmented for decontamination of sewage sludge by bioprocessing. Aerobic, anaerobic and combination of aerobic/anaerobic bioprocessing of sewage sludge will be applied. A mathematical model will be developed to describe the biodegradation processes of the contaminating compounds after establishing the kinetic parameters for degradation of contaminating compounds. The bioprocessed sewage sludge will be used in eco- and planttoxicology tests to evaluate the impact of the xenobiotics on the environment. Methodologies will be developed and applied to assess the cleanliness of the bioprocessing as a safe method for waste recycling. Key words: organic contaminants, European Project, bioprocessing, sewage sludge |
