Knowledge Agora



Scientific Article details

Title Selecting sustainable sewage sludge reuse options through a systematic assessment framework: Methodology and case study in Latin America
ID_Doc 17474
Authors Laura, F; Tamara, A; Müller, A; Hiroshan, H; Christina, D; Serena, C
Title Selecting sustainable sewage sludge reuse options through a systematic assessment framework: Methodology and case study in Latin America
Year 2020
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118389
Abstract Sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment and has a complex composition including organic matter and nutrients. The recovery of the useful components can partially buffer the continuous depletion of natural resources. However, due to a range of many complex variables, such as concerns on safe-use practices and lack of technical capacities, sludge recovery is classified as a wicked problem. To facilitate the decision-making process, this study intends to provide a decision support framework (DSF) to guide decision making towards selecting sustainable options to handle sewage sludge in Latin America. The framework was tested and refined through a case study in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Sludge disposal solutions are missing in the municipality and the pathogen content highly exceeds national and international standards. The framework was used to evaluate possible recovery scenarios. The results show that the most sustainable ways to use sewage sludge in Panajachel are through agricultural use and soil conditioning. Composting is suggested as a conversion process to eliminate pathogens and obtain stable fertilisers. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords Sludge; Sustainability; Resource recovery; Framework assessment; Stakeholder mapping; Latin America
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000491240100109
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF
Similar atricles
Scroll