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ABSTRACT: This review section covers journal articles and conference papers related to biosolids and sludge management that were published in 2008. The literature review has been divided into the following sections:
* Biosolids regulation and management issues,
* Biosolids characteristics and measurement,
* Sludge treatment technologies,
* Disposal and reuse,
* Odor and air emission, energy issues,
* Risk Analysis
The sludge treatment technologies include: pretreatment and sludge minimization, anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, alkaline stabilization, composting, dewatering, drying and innovative technologies. The disposal and reuse section covers combustion/incineration, pyrolysis, and land application that reviews issues pertaining to nutrients, heavy metals, synthetic organics, and pathogens. Biosolids have sometimes been used for the reclamation of marginal or contaminated lands - such applications have been classified under non-agricultural uses.
KEYWORDS: Biosolids, treatment, disposal, reuse, risk analysis, odor
doi:10.2175/106143009X12445568399730
Biosolids Regulation and Management Issues
An overview of the current state of EPA's biosolids program was given by Stevens (2008). He outlined the current progress of the Biosolids Action Plan including the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey, the impending release of the Emerging Contaminants Report, and the development of a methodology for quantitative microbial risk assessment. The scope of the EPA Pathogen Equivalency Committee along with the criteria for achieving process equivalency under the 503 regulations was covered by Meckes and Smith (2008). Legal issues with regard to the beneficial use of biosolids were addressed by Slaughter and Doverspike (2008). The latest activities of biosolids opponents to ban or restrict beneficial use and lawsuits alleging personal injuries to persons from land application of biosolids were highlighted and successful strategies were provided for overcoming local efforts to restrict biosolids reuse. The development of a Quality Protocol (QP) in the United Kingdom for the use of biosolids in agriculture was undertaken based upon the principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point and the process was described by Lagerberg et al. (2008). Several management tools were developed to assist with biosolids planning and public confidence. The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission developed biosolids sampling guidance that emphasizes pre-planning and coordination (Jennings and Rainey, 2008). The use of Multi-attribute Utility Analysis specifically for biosolids master planning was recommended to improve stakeholder relations and communication with the public (Whitlock et al., 2008).