Possibility of using ionizing radiation treated sludge from drinking water treatment plant as fertilizer in agriculture: Effects of aging.

Using ionizing radiation in treating waste sludge from a drinking water treatment plant is a well-known technique. Sludge treated with ionizing radiation can be used as fertilizer in agriculture. In this paper, the effects of aging on the physicochemical characteristics, the content of microorganisms, molds, acrylamide, heavy metal concentration, and total nutrient content in waste sludge treated with e-beam and gamma irradiation were investigated. The possibility of using treated sludge as a fertilizer in agriculture was evaluated. It has been shown that the content of acrylamide in treated sludge after 15 months of storage does not exceed the limits for sludge to be used as fertilizer. If the sludge is stored in closed bags in a dark place, aging does not increase total microorganisms and molds. The research also showed that the sludge's physicochemical characteristics treated in this way do not decrease under the influence of aging. Finally, it has been shown that aging does not change the concentration of heavy metals and total nutrients in sludge treated by ionizing irradiation. • Effect of gamma and e-beam radiation on removal of pathogens from sludge was shown. • The effects of aging on the physicochemical characteristics were investigated. • Content of heavy metals and total nutrient content in sludge was measured. • The concentration of acrylamide in sludge was determined. • This sludge complies with the Directives and can be used as fertilizer in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]