Evaluation and analysis of perlite and municipal wastewater sludge (biosolids) from three wastewater treatment plants in East Texas, USA.

Municipal wastewater sludge (also known as biosolids) is produced in large quantities from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Traditionally, analyses of biosolids revealed the presence of inorganic (including metals) and organic contaminants which pose health concerns to man and the environment. This study investigated physical-chemical parameters and comparative element concentrations (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Zn, V, Na, S, and P) in biosolids and composted wastewater sludge (CWS) from Nacogdoches Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWTP), Lufkin Wastewater Treatment Plant (LWWTP), and Angelina-Neches Compost Facility (NCF) in East Texas (USA). In addition, concentrations in perlite, a hydroponic material, were determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (SEM/EDX), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD)), and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. Via ICP-OES analysis, metal concentrations in biosolid samples were similar. Macroelement amounts followed the order: NWWS ≈ LWWS > NCS > perlite. Notably, concentrations in biosolids, CWS, and perlite are below recommended USEPA and WHO maximum ceiling levels. The pH of biosolid samples was determined between 5.33 and 6.74. The weight loses of 6-19% wt at ~ 300-700 ℃ are attributed to volatile compounds and inorganic metal oxides. From environmental and circular economy perspectives, this study shows biosolids to be safe, and potential recycling can be encouraged for use in soil amendments. This finding could find impetus to design of much better WWTPs which improve removal efficiencies and encourage recycling of biosolids.

Data on ion composition and X-ray diffraction patterns of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants in Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas, USA.

The data presented in this article is related to the research article entitled, "Structural Characterization and Evaluation of Municipal Wastewater Sludge (Biosolids) from two Rural Wastewater Treatment Plants in East Texas, USA" (Onchoke et al., [1]). The XRD profiles and composition of biosolids from two wastewater treatment plant is presented. This study describes the composition of XRD crystalline phase patterns of the wastewater sludge. After the removal of the Kα2 peaks the d-spacing and hkl values were determined. In addition, the ion chromatographic profile of the seven anions ( NO3- , NO2- , Br-, Cl-, F-, SO42- , and PO43- ) in biosolids is presented.