Abstract
Fifty-nine elements, poly chlorinated biphenyls, volatile N-nitrosamines and gamma emission were determined in 30 sewage sludges from 23 American cities using several analytical methods. Relatively high concentrations of toxic metals were found in sludges from specific municipal plants. The pH and levels of calcium and iron in certain of the sludges appeared to reflect the addition of lime, ferric chloride and/or spent pickle liquor during sewage treatment. Of 15 sludges analyzed, the carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine was detected in 14 and various other N-nitrosamines in 12 of them. Based on present federal guidelines, only 7 of the 30 municipal sludges analyzed would be considered suitable for land application owing to their elevated content of one or more heavy metals.
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Mumma, R.O., Raupach, D.C., Waldman, J.P. et al. National survey of elements and other constituents in municipal sewage sludges. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13, 75–83 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055648
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055648