Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Research and Case Studies of Sludge Treatment Wetlands in Hot and Arid Climates: Experiences and Opportunities for Sustainable Sludge Management

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment in Hot and Arid Climates

Part of the book series: Wetlands: Ecology, Conservation and Management ((WECM,volume 7))

  • 525 Accesses

Abstract

Many countries and regions under hot and arid climates suffer from a continuously growing pressure on their limited freshwater resources, which are subsequently degrading. In this regard, proper wastewater management could be a new water source in the local and regional water balance. However, wastewater treatment processes result in the production of a sludge by-product that requires additional treatment. Sludge management is typically a costly and complex process due to the needed mechanical equipment and the large amount of energy input. The sustainable treatment technology of Constructed Wetlands is viewed as an ideal nature-based solution for sludge management that can reduce the total environmental footprint and also provide a beneficial end-product. This chapter provides an overview of the current experiences on Sludge Treatment Wetlands technology in the Middle East. Research projects and few existing case studies for municipal and industrial sludge dewatering are presented in order to highlight the technical feasibility of this technology under the hot and arid climate of the Middle East.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Metcalf E (2003) Wastewater engineering: treatment and reuse. McGraw Hill, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  2. Stefanakis AI, Akratos CS, Tsihrintzis VA (2014) Vertical flow constructed wetlands: eco-engineering systems for wastewater and sludge treatment. Elsevier Publishing, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fytili D, Zabaniotou A (2008) Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods – a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 12:116–140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bianchini A, Bonfiglioli L, Pellegrini M, Saccani C (2016) Sewage sludge management in Europe: a critical analysis of data quality. Int J Environ Waste Manag 18:226–238

    Google Scholar 

  5. European Commission (EC) (2020) Sewage sludge. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/sludge. Accessed 14 Sept 2020

  6. Salado R, Vencovsky D, Daly E, Zamparutti T, Palfrey R (2010) Environmental, economic and social impacts of the use of sewage sludge on land; part II: report on options and impacts; report by RPA. European Commission, DG Environment, Brussels, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  7. Chen G, Yue PL, Mujumdar AS (2002) Sludge dewatering and drying. Dry Technol 20(4–5):883–916

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wakeman RJ (2007) Separation technologies for sludge dewatering. J Hazard Mater 144(3):614–619

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Stefanakis AI (2015) Constructed wetlands: description and benefits of an eco-tech water treatment system. In: Impact of water pollution on human health and environmental sustainability. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-9559-7.ch012

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  10. Nikolaou IE, Jones N, Stefanakis AI (2021) Circular economy and sustainability: the past, the present and the directions. Circ Econ Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00030-3

  11. Brix H (2017) Sludge dewatering and mineralization in sludge treatment reed beds. Water 9:160. https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Olsson L, Larsen JD, Ye S, Brix H (2014) Emissions of CO2 and CH4 from sludge treatment reed beds depend on system management and sludge loading. J Environ Manag 141:51–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mantovi P, Baldoni G, Toderi G (2005) Reuse of liquid, dewatered, and composted sewage sludge on agricultural land: effects of long-term application on soil and crop. Water Res 39:289–296

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Stefanakis AI, Calheiros CSC, Nikolaou I (2021) Nature-based solutions as a tool in the new circular economic model for climate change adaptation. Circ Econ Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00022-3

  15. Oral HV, Radinja M, Rizzo A, Kearney K, Andersen TR, Krzeminski P, Buttiglieri G, Ayral-Cinar D, Comas J, Gajewska M, Hartl M, Finger DC, Kazak JK, Mattila H, Vieira P, Piro P, Palermo SA, Turco M, Pirouz B, Stefanakis AI, Regelsberger M, Ursino N, Carvalho PN (2021). Management of urban waters with nature-based solutions in circular cities – exemplified through seven urban circularity challenges. Water 13(23):3334. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13233334.

  16. Nielsen S, Stefanakis AI (2020) Sustainable dewatering of industrial Sludges in sludge treatment reed beds: experiences from pilot and full-scale studies under different climates. Appl Sci 10:7446. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217446

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Nielsen S, Willoughby N (2005) Sludge treatment and drying reed bed systems in Denmark. Water Environ J 19:296–305

    Google Scholar 

  18. Uggetti E, Ferrer I, Llorens E, Garcia J (2010) Sludge treatment wetlands: a review on the state of the art. Bioresour Technol 101:2905–2912

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Nielsen S (2005) Mineralisation of hazardous organic compounds in a sludge reed bed and sludge storage. Water Sci Technol 51:109–117

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Nielsen S, Larsen JD (2016) Operational strategy, economic and environmental performance of sludge treatment reed bed systems – based on 28 years of experience. Water Sci Technol 74:1793–1799

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Boruszko D (2018) Changes of the content of heavy metals and PAH’s in sewage sludge treatment with reed bed lagoons. J Ecol Eng 2018(19):75–87

    Google Scholar 

  22. Stefanakis AI (2019) The role of constructed wetlands as green infrastructure for sustainable urban water management. Sustainability 11:6981. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11246981

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Nielsen S (2011) Sludge treatment reed bed facilities-organic load and operation problems. Water Sci Technol 63:942–948

    Google Scholar 

  24. Stefanakis AI, Tsihrintzis VA (2012) Effect of various design and operation parameters on performance of pilot-scale sludge drying reed beds. Ecol Eng 2012(38):65–78

    Google Scholar 

  25. Uggetti E, Ferrer I, Carretero J, Garcia J (2012) Performance of sludge treatment wetlands using different plant species and porous media. J Hazard Mater 217–218:263–270

    Google Scholar 

  26. Peruzzi E, Nielsen S, Macci C, Doni S, Iannelli R, Chiarugi M, Masciandaro G (2013) Organic matter stabilization in reed bed systems: Danish and Italian examples. Water Sci Technol 68:1888–1894

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Stefanakis AI, Akratos CS, Melidis P, Tsihrintzis VA (2009) Surplus activated sludge dewatering in pilot-scale sludge drying reed beds. J Hazard Mater 172(2–3):1122–1130

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Stefanakis AI, Tsihrintzis VA (2012) Heavy metal fate in pilot-scale sludge drying reed beds under various design and operation conditions. J Hazard Mater 213–214:393–405

    Google Scholar 

  29. Peruzzi E, Macci C, Doni S, Iannelli R, Masciandaro G (2017) Stabilization process in reed bed systems for sludge treatment. Ecol Eng 102:381–389

    Google Scholar 

  30. Koottatep T, Surinkul N, Polprasert C, Kamal ASM, Kone D, Montangero A, Heinss U, Strauss M (2005) Treatment of septage in CWs in tropical climate: lessons learnt after seven years of operation. Water Sci Technol 51(9):119–126

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Kengne IM, Akoa A, Kone D (2009) Recovery of biosolids from constructed wetlands used for faecal sludge dewatering in tropical regions. Environ Sci Technol 43:6816–6821

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Hu S, She X, Wei X, Hu B, Hu C, Qian Y, Fang Y, Zhang X, Bashir S, Chen Z (2017) Surplus sludge treatment in two sludge treatment beds under subtropical condition in China. Int Biodeter Biodegrad 119:377–386

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Stefanakis AI (2018) Constructed wetlands for industrial wastewater treatment, 1st edn. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  34. Langergraber G, Dotro G, Nivala J, Rizzo A, Stein OR (2019) Wetland technology: practical information on the design and application of treatment wetlands, 1st edn. IWA Publishing, London, UK

    Google Scholar 

  35. Nielsen S (2003) Sludge drying reed beds. Water Sci Technol 48:101–108

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Nielsen S, Peruzzi E, Macci C, Doni S, Masciandaro G (2014) Stabilisation and mineralisation of sludge in reed bed systems after 10–20 years of operation. Water Sci Technol 69:539–545

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Nielsen S (2007) Sludge treatment and drying reed bed systems. 2007. Wastewater treatment in wetlands: theoretical and practical aspects. Water Sci Technol 3-4:223–234

    Google Scholar 

  38. Nielsen S (2007) Helsinge sludge reed bed system: reduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Water Sci Technol 56:175–182

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Baawain MS, Mohsin AJ, Choudri BS (2015) Characterization of industrial wastewater sludge in Oman from three different regions and recommendations for alternate reuse applications. Iran J Public Health 44(11):1473

    Google Scholar 

  40. Baawain MS, Mohsin AJ, Choudri BS (2014) Characterization of domestic wastewater sludge in Oman from three different regions and recommendations for alternative reuse applications. Iran J Public Health 43(2):168

    Google Scholar 

  41. Al-Busaidi A, Ahmed M, Shaharoona B (2017) Evaluating continuous application of treated sludge on soil and plant productivity. J Agric Marine Sci [JAMS] 22(1):2–7

    Google Scholar 

  42. Stefanakis AI, Tsihrintzis VA (2011) Dewatering mechanisms in pilot-scale sludge drying reed beds: effect of design and operational parameters. Chem Eng 172(1):430–443

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Stefanakis AI (2020) Constructed wetlands for sustainable wastewater treatment in hot and arid climates: opportunities, challenges and case studies in the Middle East. Water 12(6):1665. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061665

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. ACC Project (2020) Course manuals 2018: how treatment technologies impact the climate: overview. Lesson 15: sludge treatment in Jordan. http://www.dwm-acc-jordan.net/fileadmin/Library/How_Treatment_Impacts_the_Climate/Module5_L15-17_online.pdf. Accessed 8 Mar 2020

  45. Alwahaibi B, Jafary T, Al-Mamun A, Baawain MS, Aghbashio M, Tabatabaei M, Stefanakis AI (2021) Operational modifications of a full-scale experimental vertical flow constructed wetland with effluent recirculation to optimize total nitrogen removal. J Clean Prod 296:126558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126558

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Nielsen S (2019) Sludge treatment reed bed technology under hot and arid climate. In: Proceedings of the 8th international symposium on wetland pollutant dynamics and control (WETPOL), Aarhus, Denmark, 17–21 June 2019

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Management, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece

    Alexandros Stefanakis

  2. EURECA-PRO – The European University on Responsible Consumption and Production, Chania, Greece

    Alexandros Stefanakis

  3. Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Tahra Talib Al-Rashdi & Mushtaque Ahmed

Authors
  1. Alexandros Stefanakis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tahra Talib Al-Rashdi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mushtaque Ahmed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexandros Stefanakis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Management, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece

    Alexandros Stefanakis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Stefanakis, A., Al-Rashdi, T.T., Ahmed, M. (2022). Research and Case Studies of Sludge Treatment Wetlands in Hot and Arid Climates: Experiences and Opportunities for Sustainable Sludge Management. In: Stefanakis, A. (eds) Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment in Hot and Arid Climates. Wetlands: Ecology, Conservation and Management, vol 7. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-03600-2_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation