Content of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Other Compounds in Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) Leachates—The Issue of Returned Leachates

Sewage sludge is a by-product of the municipal wastewater treatment process. The amount of sewage sludge generated in treatment plants in Poland and other European countries is constantly growing. Due to the growing environmental awareness, legal requirements are being established that require the a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dariusz Boruszko, Ada Wojciula
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
Series:Proceedings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/2/1/28
Description
Summary:Sewage sludge is a by-product of the municipal wastewater treatment process. The amount of sewage sludge generated in treatment plants in Poland and other European countries is constantly growing. Due to the growing environmental awareness, legal requirements are being established that require the appropriate treatment of sludge before it can be used for natural purposes. Therefore, operators are looking for the best solutions to ensure proper sewage sludge preparation. More and more ATAD (auto-thermophilic sewage sludge stabilization) installations are being built in Poland, which allow for simultaneous stabilization and hygienization of sludge. However, this process contributes to the formation of leachate, which is discharged into the biological reactors of municipal sewage treatment plants. The leachate after the ATAD process has a complex organic substance and is characterized by large loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus. Biological wastewater treatment processes can be ineffective for such specific pollutants returned in ATAD leachate. Thus far, no research has been undertaken to analyze the problem presented.
ISSN:2504-3900