Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Variation in humic and fulvic acids during thermal sludge treatment assessed by size fractionation, elementary analysis, and spectroscopic methods

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Thermal pretreatment can be applied to sludge anaerobic digestion or dewatering. To analyze the variation in humic substances during thermal sludge treatment, sludge humic and fulvic acids were extracted before and after 30-min thermal treatment at 180°C, and then their contents, molecular weight distributions, elementary compositions, and spectral characteristics were compared. The results showed that the total contents of humic and fulvic acids in the sludge almost remained constant during thermal treatment, but 35% of humic and fulvic acids were dissolved from the sludge solids. Moreover, both humic and fulvic acids were partly decomposed and 32% of humic acids were converted to fulvic acids. The median value of the molecular weights of humic acids decreased from 81 to 41 kDa and that of fulvic acids decreased from 15 to 2 kDa. Besides the reduction in molecular size, the chemical structures of humic and fulvic acids also exhibited a slight change, i.e. some oxygen functional groups disappeared and aromatic structures increased after thermal sludge treatment.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  1. Zhu G, Liu C, Li J, Ren N, Liu L, Huang X. Fermentative hydrogen production from beet sugar factory wastewater treatment in a continuous stirred tank reactor using anaerobic mixed consortia. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2013, 7(1): 143–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Guo J, Ma F, Qu Y, Li A, Wang L. Systematical strategies for wastewater treatment and the generated wastes and greenhouse gases in China. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2012, 6(2): 271–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Neyens E, Baeyens J. A review of thermal sludge pre-treatment processes to improve dewaterability. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2003, 98(1–3): 51–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lagerkvist A, Morgan-Sagastume F. The effects of substrate pretreatment on anaerobic digestion systems: a review. Waste Management, 2012, 32(9): 1634–1650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Carrère H, Dumas C, Battimelli A, Batstone D J, Delgenès J P, Steyer J P, Ferrer I. Pretreatment methods to improve sludge anaerobic degradability: a review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010, 183(1–3): 1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Pérez-Elvira S I, Fdz-Polanco F. Continuous thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion of sludge. Energy integration study. Water Science and Technology, 2012, 65(10): 1839–1846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang W, Luo Y, Qiao W. Possible solutions for sludge dewatering in China. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering in China, 2010, 4(1): 102–107

    Google Scholar 

  8. Li H, Li Y, Li C. Characterization of humic acids and fulvic acids derived from sewage sludge. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2013, 25(18): 10087–10091

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Li H, Li Y, Jin Y, Zou S, Li C. Recovery of sludge humic acids with alkaline pretreatment and its impact on subsequent anaerobic digestion. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 2014, 89(5): 707–713

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Kim K, Fujita M, Daimon H, Fujie K. Application of hydrothermal reaction for excess sludge reuse as carbon sources in biological phosphorus removal. Water Science and Technology, 2005, 52(10–11): 533–541

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ouyang E, Wang W. The change of spectroscopic characterization and molecular weight distribution in sludge thermal hydrolysis process. China Environmental Science, 2008, 28(12): 1062–1067 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kliaugaitė D, Yasadi K, Euverink G J, Bijmans M F M, Racys V. Electrochemical removal and recovery of humic-like substances from wastewater. Separation and Purification Technology, 2013, 108: 37–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Feng H J, Hu L F, Mahmood Q, Long Y, Shen D S. Study on biosorption of humic acid by activated sludge. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 2008, 39(3): 478–485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rose M T, Patti A F, Little K R, Brown A L, Jackson W R, Cavagnaro T R A. Meta-analysis and review of plant-growth response to humic substances: practical implications for agriculture. Advances in Agronomy, 2014, 124: 37–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Li H, Li Y K, Zou S X, Li C C. Extracting humic acids from digested sludge by alkaline treatment and ultrafiltration. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2014, 16(1): 93–100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lu X Q, Hanna J V, Johnson W D. Evidence of chemical pathways of humification: a study of aquatic humic substances heated at various temperatures. Chemical Geology, 2001, 177(3–4): 249–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Pertusatti J, Prado A G S. Buffer capacity of humic acid: thermodynamic approach. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2007, 314(2): 484–489

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Skhonde M P, Herod A A, van der Walt T J, Tsatsi W L, Mokoena K. The effect of thermal treatment on the compositional structure of humic acids extracted from South African bituminous coal. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 2006, 81(1): 51–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Fu P, Liu C, Yin Z, Wu F. Characteristics of humic acid with three-dimensional excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy. Geochimica, 2004, 3(3): 301–308 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 4th ed. Beijing: Ministry of Environmental Protection, China, 2002 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Dignac M F, Urbain V, Rybacki D, Bruchet A, Snidaro D, Scribe P. Chemical description of extracellular polymers: implication on activated sludge floc structure. Water Science and Technology, 1998, 38(8–9): 45–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Polak J, Bartoszek M, Sułkowski WW. Comparison of humification processes occurring during sewage purification in treatment plants with different technological processes. Water Research, 2009, 43(17): 4167–4176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Réveillé V, Mansuy L, Jardé E, Garnier-Sillama É. Characterisation of sewage sludge-derived organic matter: lipids and humic acids. Organic Geochemistry, 2003, 34(4): 615–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Christl I, Knicker H, Kögel-Knabner I, Kretzschmar R. Chemical heterogeneity of humic substances: characterization of size fractions obtained by hollow-fibre ultrafiltration. European Journal of Soil Science, 2000, 51(4): 617–625

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Francioso O, Sánchez-Cortés S, Casarini D, Garcia-Ramosb J V, Ciavattaa C, Gessa C. Spectroscopic study of humic acids fractionated by means of tangential ultrafiltration. Journal of Molecular Structure, 2002, 609(1–3): 137–147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Amir S, Jouraiphy A, Meddich A, El Gharous M, Winterton P, Hafidi M. Structural study of humic acids during composting of activated sludge-green waste: elemental analysis, FTIR and 13C NMR. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010, 177(1–3): 524–529

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. García C, Hernández T, Costa F, Ceccanti B, Polo A. A comparative chemical-structural study of fossil humic acids and those extracted from urban wastes. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 1992, 6(3): 231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. González-Pérez M, Vidal Torrado P, Colnago L A, Martin-Neto L, Otero X L, Milori D M B P, Gomes F H. 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopy characterization of humic acids in spodosols under tropical rain forest in southeastern Brazil. Geoderma, 2008, 146(3–4): 425–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Jiang W, Cai Q, Xu W, Yang M, Cai Y, Dionysiou D D, O’Shea K E. Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction by humic acid coated on magnetite. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014, 48(14): 8078–8085

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Pantano G, Tadini A M, Bisinoti M C, Moreira A B, Santos A, Oliveira L C, Martin C S. Development of a simple and versatile ultrafiltration system for the fractionation of aquatic humic substances. Organic Geochemistry, 2012, 43: 156–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Hisiger S, Jolicoeur M. A multiwavelength fluorescence probe: Is one probe capable for on-line monitoring of recombinant protein production and biomass activity? Journal of Biotechnology, 2005, 117(4): 325–336

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Aoyama M. Do humic substances exhibit fluorescence? In: Swift R S, Spark K M, eds. Understanding and Managing Organic Matter in Soils, Sediments, and Waters. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference of the International Humic Substances Society. Adelaide, Australia: Hyde Park Press, 2001, 125–131

    Google Scholar 

  33. Miikki V, Senesi N, Hänninen K. Characterization of humic material formed by composting of domestic and industrial biowastes: Part 2 spectroscopic evaluation of humic acid structures. Chemosphere, 1997, 34(8): 1639–1651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Velasco M I, Campitelli P A, Ceppi S B, Havel J. Analysis of humic acid from compost of urban wastes and soil by fluorescence spectroscopy. Agriscientia, 2004, 21(1): 31–38

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control of Shenzhen, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Yuning Yang, Huan Li & Jinyi Li

  2. Joint Research Center of Urban Resource Recycling Technology of Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University and Shenzhen Green Eco-Manufacturer High-Tech Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Yuning Yang

Authors
  1. Yuning Yang
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Huan Li
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jinyi Li
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Huan Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, Y., Li, H. & Li, J. Variation in humic and fulvic acids during thermal sludge treatment assessed by size fractionation, elementary analysis, and spectroscopic methods. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 8, 854–862 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0755-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0755-9

Keywords