About the project
Sewage sludge contains substances with agronomical value (organic matter, N, P and K and other micronutrients for plant development). Due to this the generated biosolids can be revalued for use in agriculture, adding an economical value to something usually considered as a residue. However, there is a considerable concern about the content in organic contaminants, which can be accumulated in agricultural soils and contaminate surface water and groundwater, and even concentrate in plants and animals.
The proposal would be focus on the development of a new specific technology to reduce the content of so-called emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceutical products, in sewage sludge before it is used as amendment. For this, microbiological and chemical techniques are proposed to be applied, using non-toxic and biodegradable extractants, which would improve pollutant bioavailability to increase their degradation by the microbial flora present in the sludge or that added exogenously.
Project idea owner
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Partners we are looking for
public bodies, bodies governed by public law or private non-profit bodies