II. MARCO TEÓRICO
2.2 Bases Teóricas respecto al problema 1 Ontologías
2.2.14 Base de Datos
appendix 1
Glossary
Aerobic In the presence of oxygen. Anaerobic In the absence of oxygen.
Heavy metal A term used to describe metals with a high atomic mass, some of which can be harmful to ecological and human health.
MPN Most Probable Number
Municipal Pertaining to the urban situation.
Organic micropollutants A term used to describe a huge number of compounds which are discharged into the sewerage system with wastewater from homes, industries, storm sewers, etc. Several of these have been singled out for monitoring and regulation in Biosolids on the basis of their rate of occurrence and potential hazard to human health and to the environment.
p.e. Population equivalent
1 p.e. is the organic biodegradable load having a 5-day biochemical oxygen demand of 60 g of oxygen per day. Precautionary principle A principle enshrined in Agenda 21, the declaration of
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, 1992, which reflects our incomplete knowledge of ecosystems. Wastewater sludge Sludge arising from the process of wastewater treatment.
appendix 2
Relevant legislation
Legislation with which this Code of Good Practice complies
Council Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community,
- adopted by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977
the Local Government (Water Pollution) Amendment Act, 1990 Statutory Instrument No. 245 of 1994
Council Directive 80/68/EEC on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances
- adopted by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 Statutory Instrument No. 108 of 1978
Statutory Instrument No. 390 of 1979 Statutory Instrument No. 33 of 1982
the Local Government (Water Pollution) Amendment Act, 1990 Statutory Instrument No. 245 of 1994
the Waste Management Act, 1996
Council Directive 86/278/EEC on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture,
- adopted by Statutory Instrument No. 183 of 1991 the Waste Management Act, 1996
Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment, - adopted by Statutory Instrument No. 419 of 1994
Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agriculture
Legislation taken into account in the preparation of this Code of
Good Practice
Council Directive 78/659/EEC on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life,
- adopted by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 Statutory Instrument No. 293 of 1988
Council Directive 83/513/EEC on cadmium discharges to the aquatic environment - adopted by Statutory Instrument No. 294 of 1985
Council Resolution 88/C 30/01 on a community action programme to combat environmental pollution by cadmium
appendix 3
Recommended treatment processes for Biosolids
production
Table 1
Recommended Treatment Process Conditions for Production of Biosolids
Process Description
Mesophilic anaerobic digestion with pre- or post- pasteurisation
Mean retention period of at least 12 days primary digestion in temperature range 35o +/- 3oC or of at least 20 days primary digestion in temperature range 25oC +/- 3oC. Pasteurisation phase must achieve a retention period of at least 1 hour at a temperature ≥ 70oC or 2 hours at a temperature ≥ 55oC.
Thermophilic anaerobic digestion Mean retention period of at least 48 – 72 hours in temperature range 50 – 55oC. Must include a retention period of at least 1 hour at a temperature greater than 70oC followed by a minimum retention period of at least 2 hours at a temperature ≥ 55oC or of at least 4 hours at a temperature ≥ 50oC.
Thermophilic aerobic digestion Mean retention period of at least 7 days. All sludge to be subject to a temperature ≥ 55oC for at least 4 hours. Must achieve a reduction in volatile solids of ≥ 38%.
Composting: 1. Windrows
2. Static pile or in-vessel
To be held at 55oC for at least 15 days, during which time a temperature of ≥ 55oC must be maintained over 5 turnings of the windrow.
A temperature of ≥ 55oC must be achieved and maintained uniformly for at least 3 days.
Alkaline stabilisation 1. Addition of lime to raise pH to greater than 12.0 with an accompanying rise in temperature to 70oC for 30 minutes.
2. Addition of lime to raise pH to greater than 12.0 and to maintain the pH above 12 for 72 hours and to achieve a temperature ≥ 52oC for at least 12 hours. At the end of the 72 hour period, air dry to a dry solid content of ≥ 50%.
Thermal drying Drying by direct or indirect contact with hot gases. Moisture content of the dried Biosolids to be ≤ 10%. Either the temperature of the Biosolids > 80oC or the wet bulb temperature of the gas in contact with the Biosolids as the Biosolids leaves the drier > 80oC.
appendix 4
Composition and fertiliser value of Biosolids
Table 1Composition of Irish Wastewater Sludges
(Note: These are untreated sludges. Nitrogen and phosphorus composition may change with treatment. Heavy metal content will remain unchanged.)
Range Mean Number of
samples Dry solids1 % 1 – 65 22 20 Nitrogen1 mg/kgDS3 8.5 – 58100 27558 12 Phosphorus1 mg/kgDS 1.5 – 21100 10386 13 Potassium1 mg/kgDS 0.7 – 89,600 31467 3 Magnesium1 mg/kgDS – – 0.4 2 Copper1 mg/kgDS 25 – 2,481 641 24 Nickel1 mg/kgDS 2.6 – 389 54 24 Iron1 mg/kgDS 1,200 – 96,075 20,190 7 Zinc1 mg/kgDS 32 – 2070 562 25 Cadmium1 mg/kgDS 0.1 – 13.6 2.8 22 Chromium1 mg/kgDS 28 – 509 165 4 Lead1 mg/kgDS 8.1 – 850 150 24 Mercury1 mg/kgDS 0.1 – 2.0 0.6 4 Manganese2 mg/kgDS 65 – 3,018 340 N/A Boron2 mg/kg DS 19 - 236 72 N/A Cobalt2 mg/kg DS 1 – 48 14 N/A
1 Samples from 25 Irish wastewater treatment plants taken for the Strategy Study on Options for the Treatment
and Disposal of Sewage Sludge in Ireland (Weston-FTA, 1993). The smallest wastewater treatment plant in
this survey served a population of 350; the largest served a population of 29,527.
2 200 samples from 45 Irish wastewater treatment plants published in O’Riordan , E.G., Dodd, V.A., Tunney, H. and Fleming, G.A. (1986), “The chemical composition of Irish sewage sludges”. In the Irish Journal of
Agricultural Research, No. 25.
Table 2
Total and Available Phosphorus in Biosolids produced by Various Recommended Treatment Processes
Biosolids type % DS1 Total P applied Available P
(1st cropping year) Digested low-solids 4 3% of DS = 1.2 kg/tonne 60% of total P = 0.7 kg/ tonne Digested high-solids 25 3.5% of DS = 8.8 kg/tonne 35 – 50% of total P = 3.0 – 4.4 kg/tonne Composted2 65 1.0% of DS = 6.5 kg/tonne 20% of total P = 1.3 kg/tonne Lime stabilised 60 0.4% of DS = 2.4 kg/tonne 46% of total P = 1.1 kg/tonne Thermally dried 94 3.7% of DS = 34.8 kg/tonne 9 – 50% of total P = 3.1 – 17.4 kg/tonne 1 DS = dry solids
2 Wood chips used as bulking agent
Table 3
Total and Available Nitrogen in Biosolids produced by Various Recommended Treatment Processes
Biosolids type % DS1 Total N applied Available N
(1st cropping year) Digested low-solids 4 5% of DS = 2.0 kg/tonne 60% of total N = 1.2 kg/ tonne Digested high-solids 25 3.0% of DS = 7.5 kg/tonne 15% of total N = 1.1 kg/tonne Composted2 65 1.6% of DS = 10.4 kg/tonne 10% of total N3 = 1.0 kg/tonne Lime stabilised 60 0.7% of DS = 4.2 kg/tonne 15% of total N = 0.6 kg/tonne Thermally dried 94 3.7% of DS = 34.8 kg/tonne 20% of total N = 7.0 kg/tonne 1 DS = dry solids
2 Wood chips used as bulking agent 3 Ammonium-N only
appendix 5
Planting, harvesting and grazing constraints
Table 1Planting, harvesting and grazing constraints to be observed when using Biosolids as a fertiliser
Crops to which Biosolids can be applied while growing
Crops to which Biosolids can be applied prior to sowing/setting
Cereals Oil seed rape
Grass1 Forestry2
Cereals Oil seed rape
Grass Sugar beet Animal fodder1
Forestry2 1
No harvesting or grazing until at least 3 weeks after application.
2
appendix 6
Limits to heavy metal application
Table 1Maximum permissible concentrations of certain heavy metals in soil
Metal Maximum permissible concentration
(mg/kg dry solids) pH 5.0 – 6.0 and/or clay content 10 – 15% pH > 6.0 and clay content > 15% Zinc 100 150 Cadmium 1.0 1.5 Nickel 50 80
For pH > 5.0 and clay content ≥ 15%
Copper 80
Lead 80
Mercury 1
Chromium 100
Table 2
Maximum permissible annual average rates of addition of certain heavy metals to soils over a 10-year period
Metal Maximum permissible
average annual rate of addition of metal over a 10-year period
(kg/hectare/year) Zinc 7.5 Cadmium 0.05 Nickel 3.0 Copper 7.5 Lead 4.0 Mercury 0.1 Chromium 3.5
Table 3
Typical maximum permissible number of applications of Biosolids as determined by soil metal concentrations
Cd Cu Ni Pb Zn Cr
Case 1: Biosolids @ 2% DS; 2.8% N; 1% P
Concentration in Biosolids (mg/kg DS) 2.8 641 54 150 562 165 Background level in soil1 (mg/kg soil) 0.61 21 24.8 24.2 71.8 46.6 Amount in Biosolids
application of 50 t/ha
(kg/ha) 0.003 0.64 0.05 0.15 0.56 0.17 Total concentration in
25 cm soil sample in year 1
(mg/kg soil) 0.61 21.2 24.8 24.2 72.0 46.7 Permissible number of applications at 50 t/ha2 452 299 1516 1209 163 1051 Case 2: Biosolids @ 6% DS; 2.8% N; 1% P Concentration in Biosolids (mg/kg DS) 2.8 641 54 150 562 165 Background level in soil1 (mg/kg soil) 0.61 21 24.8 24.2 71.8 46.6 Amount in Biosolids
application of 50 t/ha
(kg/ha) 0.008 1.9 0.16 0.45 1.69 0.5 Total concentration in
25 cm soil sample in year 1
(mg/kg soil) 0.61 21.6 24.9 24.3 72.3 46.8 Permissible number of applications at 50 t/ha2 150 99 505 403 54 350 Case 3: Biosolids @ 25% DS; 2.8% N; 1% P Concentration in Biosolids (mg/kg DS) 2.8 641 54 150 562 165 Background level in soil1 (mg/kg soil) 0.61 21 24.8 24.2 71.8 46.6 Amount in Biosolids
application of 50 t/ha
(kg/ha) 0.025 5.77 0.49 1.35 5.06 1.49 Total concentration in
25 cm soil sample in year 1
(mg/kg soil) 0.62 22.8 25.0 24.6 73.6 47.1 Permissible number
of applications at 50 t/ha2
50 33 168 134 18 116
1 Average background metal concentrations in Irish agricultural soils
appendix 7
Monitoring requirements
Table 1Parameters to be included in Certificate of Analysis of Biosolids
Parameter Units of measurement
Dry solids (%)
Organic matter (TOC as % of dry solids)
pH
Total nitrogen (% dry solids)
Ammonium-nitrogen (% dry solids)
Total phosphorus (% dry solids)
Total potassium (% dry solids)
Faecal coliform (MPN.g-1 dry solids)
Salmonella sp. (MPN.g-1 dry solids)
Zinc (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Copper (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Nickel (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Cadmium (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Lead (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Mercury (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Chromium (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) (mg.kg-1 dry solids) Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) (ng TEQ.kg-1 dry solids) Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) (mg.kg-1 dry solids)
Table 2
Minimum Frequency of Analysis of Certain Parameters required to be Monitored in Biosolids
Parameter Frequency of analysis1
< 50,000 p.e. 50,000 – 100,000 p.e. > 100,000 p.e.
pH Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Total nitrogen Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Ammonium-nitrogen Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Total phosphorus Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Total potassium Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Faecal coliform Every week Every week Every week
Salmonella sp. Every week Every week Every week
Zinc Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Copper Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Nickel Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Cadmium Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Lead Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Mercury Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
Chromium Every 12 months2 Every 12 months Every 6 months
36 Table 2 … continued
Minimum Frequency of Analysis of Certain Parameters required to be Monitored in Biosolids
Parameter Frequency of analysis1
< 50,000 p.e. 50,000 – 100,000 p.e. > 100,000 p.e.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) Every 5 years Every 2 years3 Every 12 months
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) Every 5 years Every 2 years3 Every 12 months
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Every 5 years Every 2 years3 Every 12 months
Nonylphenol Every 5 years Every 2 years3 Every 12 months
1 To be analysed more frequently if there is a significant change in the quality of the wastewater stream.
2 Can be reduced to every 2 years for a wastewater treatment plant into which industry does not discharge and if no significant changes are observed in the parameter values over a period of 2
years.
3 Can be reduced to every 5 years for a wastewater treatment plant into which industry does not discharge. Should be analysed more frequently if there is a significant change in the quality of
Table 3
Minimum Frequency of Soil Sampling and Analysis
Parameter Depth of sample
(cm)
Frequency
Organic matter 10 Every 2 years
pH 10 Every 2 years
Clay content 10 Every 2 years
Total phosphorus 10 Every 2 years
Total potassium 10 Every 2 years
Zinc 25 Every 5 years
Copper 25 Every 5 years
Nickel 25 Every 5 years
Cadmium 25 Every 5 years
Lead 25 Every 5 years
Mercury 25 Every 5 years
Chromium 25 Every 5 years
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) 25 Every 5 years
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/F)
25 Every 5 years
38 Table 4
Recommended Analytical Methodology to be used for Parameters to be Monitored in Biosolids
Parameter Standard Test Number1 Analytical methods
Dry solids Standard Methods 2540B Total solids dried at 103 – 105oC
Organic matter Standard Methods 5310B
BS Method
Combustion-Infrared Method Gravimetric Analysis
pH Standard Methods 4500-H+ pH metre
Total nitrogen
BS Method
Digestion with sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide followed by distillation
Colorimetric analysis
Ammonium-nitrogen BS Method Digestion and Colorimetric Analysis
Total phosphorus Standard Methods 4500-P Digestion and Colorimetric Analysis
Total potassium Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Faecal coliform Standard Methods 9221E or 9222D Faecal Coliform Procedure: Multiple Tube or Membrane
Filter
Salmonella sp. Standard Methods 9260D Quantitative Salmonella Procedures
Zinc Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Copper Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Nickel Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method continued …
Table 4 … continued
Recommended Analytical Methodology to be used for Parameters to be Monitored in Biosolids
Parameter Standard Test Number Analytical methods
Cadmium Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Standard Methods 3030D and 3113B2 Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Lead Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Chromium Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Mercury Standard Methods 3112 Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) Standard Methods 6630C Liquid-Liquid Extraction Gas Chromatography
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/F)
Standard Methods 6630B Liquid-Liquid Extraction Gas Chromatography
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) Standard Methods 6640B Liquid-Liquid Extraction Chromatography
Nonylphenol Standard Methods 5530B and C Cleanup and Chloroform Extraction
1
As specified by Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation), unless otherwise indicated.
2
40 Table 5
Recommended Analytical Methodology to be used for Parameters to be Monitored in Soil
Parameter Test Number1 Analytical methods
Dry solids Standard Methods 2540B Total solids dried at 103 – 105oC
pH Standard Methods 4500-H+ pH metre
Clay content BS 1377, 1990, Part 2 Hydrometer Method
Total phosphorus Standard Methods 4500-P Digestion and Colorimetric Analysis
Total potassium Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Zinc Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Copper Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Nickel Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Cadmium Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Standard Methods 3030D and 3113B Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry1
Lead Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Chromium Standard Methods 3030D and 3111 or 3120B Acid Digestion and Flame Atomic Adsorption
Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Method
Table 5 … continued
Recommended Analytical Methodology to be used for Parameters to be Monitored in Soil
Parameter Test Number1 Analytical methods
Mercury Standard Methods 3112 Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) Standard Methods 6630C Liquid-Liquid Extraction Gas Chromatography
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/F)
Standard Methods 6630B Liquid-Liquid Extraction Gas Chromatography
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) Standard Methods 6640B Liquid-Liquid Extraction Chromatography
1
As specified by Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation), unless otherwise indicated.