Assessment of the fertilization capacity and molecular evaluation of the microbial load of sewage sludge treated with minerals
Safe Ferti-sludge aims to mitigate the pressing problem of sewage sludge disposal, under the framework of circular economy, by converting a potential biohazard destined for landfill disposal into a pathogen-free, nutritive and safe bio-fertilizer for agricultural production.
Current practices of sewage sludge disposal rely on alkaline or thermal treatment and disposal to landfill or agricultural land. However, there are serious concerns on public health and nutrient reuse efficiency, when sewage sludge is treated .
This poses a crucial societal and scientific challenge in sewage sludge treatment and disposal: i) to find alternative methods to treat sewage sludge and ii) to understand the nutrient transformation during sewage sludge treatment and disposal in a safe, cost effective and environment friendly way.
Therefore, we will assess the efficiency and thresholds of sewage sludge treated with clay minerals on the stabilization (reduction of microbial load, pathogens), fertilization capacity for agronomic crops and the distribution of antibiotic resistant genes in the environment, in laboratory and glasshouse experiments.
For the first time, building upon the well-established agronomic and microbiological techniques, we will apply powerful molecular techniques, to understand the intrinsic microbial dynamics in sewage sludge. Our results and detailed datasets will enable the development of innovative bio-fertilizers.
The research work was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project Number: HFRI-FM17-1907)