Evaluating Potential for Using Municipal Sewage Sludge in the Rehabilitation of Ground Degraded by the Sodium Processing Industry

Abstract

The paper attempts at evaluating potential for the use of sewage sludge produced in a rural area for the rehabilitation of ground degraded by the sodium processing industry. The results demonstrated that the studied sewage sludge conforms to the current regulatory standards, enabling its use in land rehabilitation, both for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes. Ground in areas degraded by the KZS “Solvay” industrial plant has poor parameters in terms of pH, and moderate parameters in terms of humic substance content. An experiment using the bearded iris (Iris barbata) demonstrated that sewage sludge from the “Stróże” treatment plant stimulates plant growth. Therefore, it can be used both for ground rehabilitation, and for fertilization. Considering its properties and its broad spectrum of potential uses, sewage sludge should be viewed as a resource rather than a waste product.