Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards

Abstract As waste production increases and resources become limited, sewage sludge presents a valuable resource with potential beyond traditional land use and incineration. This review emphasizes exploring innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludges and advocates for viewing wastewater...

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Main Authors: Elham H. Fini, Mohammadjavad Kazemi, Lily Poulikakos, Georgy Lazorenko, Vajiheh Akbarzade, Anthony Lamanna, Peter Lammers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Communications Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00298-x
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author Elham H. Fini
Mohammadjavad Kazemi
Lily Poulikakos
Georgy Lazorenko
Vajiheh Akbarzade
Anthony Lamanna
Peter Lammers
author_facet Elham H. Fini
Mohammadjavad Kazemi
Lily Poulikakos
Georgy Lazorenko
Vajiheh Akbarzade
Anthony Lamanna
Peter Lammers
author_sort Elham H. Fini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract As waste production increases and resources become limited, sewage sludge presents a valuable resource with potential beyond traditional land use and incineration. This review emphasizes exploring innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludges and advocates for viewing wastewater treatment plants as sources of valuable feedstock and carbon sequestration. Innovative uses include integrating sewage sludge into construction materials such as asphalt pavements, geopolymer, cementitious composites, and masonry blocks. These methods not only immobilize heavy metals and mitigate environmental hazards but also support carbon sequestration, contrasting with incineration and land application methods that release carbon into the atmosphere. The review also addresses emerging technologies like bio-adhesives, bio-binders for asphalt, hydrogels, bioplastics, and corrosion inhibitors. It highlights the recovery of valuable materials from sewage sludge, including phosphorus, oils, metals, cellulose, and polyhydroxyalkanoates as well as enzyme production. By focusing on these non-fertilizer applications, this review presents a compelling case for re-envisioning wastewater treatment plants as sources of valuable feedstock and carbon sequestration, supporting global efforts to manage waste effectively and enhance sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-62dc11177b0441bd85452ff23ef1979f2025-08-20T02:49:15ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Engineering2731-33952024-11-013111510.1038/s44172-024-00298-xPerspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazardsElham H. Fini0Mohammadjavad Kazemi1Lily Poulikakos2Georgy Lazorenko3Vajiheh Akbarzade4Anthony Lamanna5Peter Lammers6Arizona State UniversityArizona State UniversityEMPA Materials Science and TechnologyNovosibirsk State UniversityUniversity of Doha for Science and TechnologyArizona State UniversityArizona State UniversityAbstract As waste production increases and resources become limited, sewage sludge presents a valuable resource with potential beyond traditional land use and incineration. This review emphasizes exploring innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludges and advocates for viewing wastewater treatment plants as sources of valuable feedstock and carbon sequestration. Innovative uses include integrating sewage sludge into construction materials such as asphalt pavements, geopolymer, cementitious composites, and masonry blocks. These methods not only immobilize heavy metals and mitigate environmental hazards but also support carbon sequestration, contrasting with incineration and land application methods that release carbon into the atmosphere. The review also addresses emerging technologies like bio-adhesives, bio-binders for asphalt, hydrogels, bioplastics, and corrosion inhibitors. It highlights the recovery of valuable materials from sewage sludge, including phosphorus, oils, metals, cellulose, and polyhydroxyalkanoates as well as enzyme production. By focusing on these non-fertilizer applications, this review presents a compelling case for re-envisioning wastewater treatment plants as sources of valuable feedstock and carbon sequestration, supporting global efforts to manage waste effectively and enhance sustainability.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00298-x
spellingShingle Elham H. Fini
Mohammadjavad Kazemi
Lily Poulikakos
Georgy Lazorenko
Vajiheh Akbarzade
Anthony Lamanna
Peter Lammers
Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
Communications Engineering
title Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
title_full Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
title_fullStr Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
title_full_unstemmed Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
title_short Perspectives on innovative non-fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
title_sort perspectives on innovative non fertilizer applications of sewage sludge for mitigating environmental and health hazards
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00298-x
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