Evaluation of Pathogen Removal in a Solar Sludge Drying Facility Using Microbial Indicators

Emily F Shanahan; Anne H Roiko; Neil W Tindale; M P Thomas; R Walpole; D Ipek Kurtboke

doi:10.3390/ijerph7020565

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Evaluation of Pathogen Removal in a Solar Sludge Drying Facility Using Microbial Indicators

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Evaluation of Pathogen Removal in a Solar Sludge Drying Facility Using Microbial Indicators

Emily F Shanahan, Anne H Roiko, Neil W Tindale, M P Thomas, R Walpole and D Ipek Kurtboke

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.7(2), pp.565-582

2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph7020565

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Abstract

biosolids

sewage sludge

microbial indicators

human pathogenic bacteria

solar dryer

South East Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia with a correspondingly rapid increase in sewage production. In response, local councils are investing in more effective and sustainable options for the treatment and reuse of domestic and industrial effluents. A novel, evaporative solar dryer system has been installed on the Sunshine Coast to convert sewage sludge into a drier, usable form of biosolids through solar radiation exposure resulting in decreased moisture concentration and pathogen reduction. Solar-dried biosolids were analyzed for selected pathogenic microbial, metal and organic contaminants at the end of different drying cycles in a collaborative study conducted with the Regional Council. Although fecal coliforms were found to be present, enteroviruses, parasites, E. coli, and Salmonella sp. were not detected in the final product. However, elevated levels of zinc and copper were still present which restricted public use of the biosolids. Dilution of the dried biosolids with green waste as well as composting of the biosolids is likely to lead to the production of an environmentally safe, Class A end-product.

Details

Title: Evaluation of Pathogen Removal in a Solar Sludge Drying Facility Using Microbial Indicators
Authors: Emily F Shanahan (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Anne H Roiko (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Neil W Tindale (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
M P Thomas (Author) - Sunshine Coast Water
R Walpole (Author) - Sunshine Coast Water
D Ipek Kurtboke (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.7(2), pp.565-582
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2010
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7020565
ISSN: 1660-4601
Copyright note: Copyright © 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450007402621
Output Type: Journal article

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