Schwingungen und Wellen

Abstract

The utilization of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) and brewery effluent by energy crops has several possible benefits, including the recycling of essential and trace nutrients, improvement of marginal soil with organic matter (in the case of the biosolids), increased crop yield and saving disposable income on the cost of commercial fertilizer (Cheremisinoff, 2004). As the harvested crop will be burned for its energy potential, the risk of the spread of potential infectious diseases or pathogens entering the food chain is greatly reduced. This would not be the case if the organic residuals were used on a fodder or an arable crop. However the application of organic residuals to energy crops may provide a threat to ground and surface water resources if a proper sludge application programme is not followed. In this project the risk of nitrate, phosphorous and heavy metal contamination of receiving waters is of due concern.