Title: Characteristics and potential uses of sewage sludge in the commercial capital of Bangladesh

Authors: M.M. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Kazi Mohammad Masum, Mohammed Shafiul Alam

Addresses: Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Chitagong-4331, Bangladesh. ' Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh. ' Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Chitagong-4331, Bangladesh

Abstract: Based on contrasting properties, sewage sludge can be co-recycled in order to take simultaneously the best profit and minimise environmental pollution. The present study was conducted to assess the physical and chemical properties of sewage sludge generated from different sources in the commercial capital of Bangladesh and on the basis of these characteristics a variety of ways had been fixed to seek out its potential uses. Presence of plant nutrients and organic matter in sufficient quantities, make sludge disposal on land an attractive option. Nitrogen has received most attention and it is normally the most abundant sludge nutrient. The other two prime nutrients phosphorus and potassium content in sewage found significantly higher than the normal soil. To inquire the possible utilisation the growth performance of one tree species was tested in an experiment using the sewage sludge and normal soil and found significant positive growth variation in sewage application compare to the normal soil.

Keywords: sewage sludge; potential use; waste disposal; commercial capital; tree growth; Bangladesh; environmental pollution; recycling; trees; plant nutrients; organic matter.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2011.038319

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2011 Vol.7 No.1, pp.62 - 76

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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