Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration

Abstract Mining activities often bring great pressure to the surrounding ecological environment, so it is necessary to carry out ecological restoration in mining areas. In this study, a constructed technosol (denoted SAS) for ecological restoration was prepared with municipal sludge as main material...

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Main Authors: Zhenzhen Song, Biwu Zhang, Kai Zhou, Di Su, Jiyan Li, Hongyu Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98983-0
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author Zhenzhen Song
Biwu Zhang
Kai Zhou
Di Su
Jiyan Li
Hongyu Gao
author_facet Zhenzhen Song
Biwu Zhang
Kai Zhou
Di Su
Jiyan Li
Hongyu Gao
author_sort Zhenzhen Song
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mining activities often bring great pressure to the surrounding ecological environment, so it is necessary to carry out ecological restoration in mining areas. In this study, a constructed technosol (denoted SAS) for ecological restoration was prepared with municipal sludge as main materials, and its properties and ecological risk was assessed. The results showed that the optimal conditions for preparation were as follows: raw material ratio of 0.04, water–cement ratio of 0.01, aluminum powder dosage of 0.03%, curing temperature of 40 ℃, curing time of 24 h. The solidification of cement contributed to the connection path between the sludge particles, and the bubbles generated by aluminum powder further formed the microscopic pore structure. Heavy metals chemical species analysis concluded that As, Cd and Pb were immobilized, while Cu and Ni were tended to be activated, assessment result indicated low risk level. The transformation of macromolecular organic matter into humus was beneficial to improve the structure and biological activity, and the pot experiment result also displayed the low toxicity to plants. This work enriched the research system of ecological restoration in mining areas and provides a new strategy for the recycling of municipal sludge.
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spelling doaj-art-32766e94184a45c7a5c0cb4e4d87d1a42025-08-20T02:29:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-98983-0Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restorationZhenzhen Song0Biwu Zhang1Kai Zhou2Di Su3Jiyan Li4Hongyu Gao5Institute of Geographical Science, Taiyuan Normal UniversityInstitute of Resources and Environment Engineering, Shanxi UniversityInstitute of Resources and Environment Engineering, Shanxi UniversityInstitute of Resources and Environment Engineering, Shanxi UniversityInstitute of Geographical Science, Taiyuan Normal UniversityInstitute of Resources and Environment Engineering, Shanxi UniversityAbstract Mining activities often bring great pressure to the surrounding ecological environment, so it is necessary to carry out ecological restoration in mining areas. In this study, a constructed technosol (denoted SAS) for ecological restoration was prepared with municipal sludge as main materials, and its properties and ecological risk was assessed. The results showed that the optimal conditions for preparation were as follows: raw material ratio of 0.04, water–cement ratio of 0.01, aluminum powder dosage of 0.03%, curing temperature of 40 ℃, curing time of 24 h. The solidification of cement contributed to the connection path between the sludge particles, and the bubbles generated by aluminum powder further formed the microscopic pore structure. Heavy metals chemical species analysis concluded that As, Cd and Pb were immobilized, while Cu and Ni were tended to be activated, assessment result indicated low risk level. The transformation of macromolecular organic matter into humus was beneficial to improve the structure and biological activity, and the pot experiment result also displayed the low toxicity to plants. This work enriched the research system of ecological restoration in mining areas and provides a new strategy for the recycling of municipal sludge.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98983-0Municipal sludgeEcological restorationEcological riskHeavy metalOrganic matterPlant toxicity
spellingShingle Zhenzhen Song
Biwu Zhang
Kai Zhou
Di Su
Jiyan Li
Hongyu Gao
Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
Scientific Reports
Municipal sludge
Ecological restoration
Ecological risk
Heavy metal
Organic matter
Plant toxicity
title Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
title_full Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
title_fullStr Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
title_full_unstemmed Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
title_short Preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
title_sort preparation and ecological risk assessment of porous sewage sludge substrate for ecological restoration
topic Municipal sludge
Ecological restoration
Ecological risk
Heavy metal
Organic matter
Plant toxicity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98983-0
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