IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i22p14693-d966393.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Circular Economy in the Biosolids Management by Nexus Approach: A View to Enhancing Safe Nutrient Recycling—Pathogens, Metals, and Emerging Organic Pollutants Concern

Author

Listed:
  • Sérgio Siqueira de Amorim Júnior

    (Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande 79117-900, MS, Brazil)

  • Mariana Antonio de Souza Pereira

    (Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande 79117-900, MS, Brazil)

  • Marjuli Morishigue

    (Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism and Geography, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul and Aegea Sanitation Company, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil)

  • Reginaldo Brito da Costa

    (Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande 79117-900, MS, Brazil)

  • Denilson de Oliveira Guilherme

    (Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande 79117-900, MS, Brazil)

  • Fernando Jorge Correa Magalhães Filho

    (Institute of Hydraulic Research, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, RS, Brazil)

Abstract

Biosolids are a byproduct of sewage treatment that can create synergies and opportunity costs for promoting a circular economy and the nexus approach (water, energy, and food). They enable a cleaner agricultural production, with food safety in local development. The biosolids contain nutrients that can be recycled by agricultural soils. However, they contain heavy metals and few studies report the micropollutants present and the legal requirements of different countries (policies). The present study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of the composition and characteristics of biosolids during four years of monitoring (2016–2019). We investigated the agronomic potential of biosolids in a sequencing batch reactor. The content of biosolids in the crops studied is a potential source of macronutrients, especially N, P, and S. Pathogens fell into class B for Conama 498 (Brazil), Norm 503 (USA), and Directive 86/278 (EU) relative to Escherichia coli and enteric viruses. Metals, also compared with the three previous standards, fulfilled threshold concentrations of the respective legislations. Emerging organic pollutants remained below the detection limit, except naphthalene, which a single time was found in the biosolids above the detection limit. Finally, PCA showed that the chemical elements of the biosolids do not vary significantly relative to changes in tropical climatic conditions (resilience to climate change). Our study confirms the safe biosolids’ agronomic potential in promoting a circular economy in wastewater treatment plants. In line with a cleaner agricultural production in tropical soils, complying with the legislation on micropollutants and reducing the quantity of biosolids sent to landfill, or inadequately disposed of in the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Sérgio Siqueira de Amorim Júnior & Mariana Antonio de Souza Pereira & Marjuli Morishigue & Reginaldo Brito da Costa & Denilson de Oliveira Guilherme & Fernando Jorge Correa Magalhães Filho, 2022. "Circular Economy in the Biosolids Management by Nexus Approach: A View to Enhancing Safe Nutrient Recycling—Pathogens, Metals, and Emerging Organic Pollutants Concern," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14693-:d:966393
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/22/14693/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/22/14693/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fukase, Emiko & Martin, Will, 2020. "Economic growth, convergence, and world food demand and supply," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    2. Derek Headey & Giordano Palloni, 2019. "Water, Sanitation, and Child Health: Evidence From Subnational Panel Data in 59 Countries," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(2), pages 729-752, April.
    3. Octávio Alves & Bruno Garcia & Bruna Rijo & Gonçalo Lourinho & Catarina Nobre, 2022. "Market Opportunities in Portugal for the Water-and-Waste Sector Using Sludge Gasification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Dinko Đurđević & Saša Žiković & Paolo Blecich, 2022. "Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management Technologies Selection Based on Techno-Economic-Environmental Criteria: Case Study of Croatia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Rigueiro-Rodríguez, A. & Amador-García, A. & Ferreiro-Domínguez, N. & Muñoz-Ferreiro, N. & Santiago-Freijanes, J.J. & Mosquera-Losada, M.R., 2018. "Proposing policy changes for sewage sludge applications based on zinc within a circular economy perspective," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 839-846.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rami Rawashdeh, 2023. "Estimating short-run (SR) and long-run (LR) demand elasticities of phosphate," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 36(2), pages 239-253, June.
    2. Nguyen, Trung Thanh & Nguyen, Thanh-Tung & Do, Manh Hung & Rahut, Dil & Nguyen, Duy Linh, 2025. "Remittances, sanitation and child malnutrition in middle-income countries: A case study from rural Northeast Thailand and Central Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    3. Dinko Đurđević & Saša Žiković & Tomislav Čop, 2022. "Socio-Economic, Technical and Environmental Indicators for Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and LEAP Analysis of Emissions Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Sana Khushi & Sajid Rashid Ahmad & Ather Ashraf & Muhammad Imran, 2020. "Spatially analyzing food consumption inequalities using GIS with disaggregated data from Punjab, Pakistan," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(6), pages 1283-1298, December.
    5. Raquel P. F. Guiné & Sofia G. Florença & Ofélia Anjos & Nada M. Boustani & Cristina Chuck-Hernández & Marijana Matek Sarić & Manuela Ferreira & Cristina A. Costa & Elena Bartkiene & Ana P. Cardoso & M, 2022. "Are Consumers Aware of Sustainability Aspects Related to Edible Insects? Results from a Study Involving 14 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Alberto Chong & Virgilio Galdo, 2021. "Direct and indirect effects of a massive piped water expansion on child‐related outcomes," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 1576-1600, August.
    7. Berman, Nicolas & Couttenier, Mathieu & Leblois, Antoine & Soubeyran, Raphael, 2023. "Crop prices and deforestation in the tropics," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    8. Tadadjeu, Sosson & Njangang, Henri & Ningaye, Paul & Nourou, Mohammadou, 2020. "Linking natural resource dependence and access to water and sanitation in African countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    9. Noa Ohana-Levi & Yishai Netzer, 2025. "Long-Term Global Trends in Vineyard Coverage and Fresh Grape Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-32, September.
    10. Natalie Bennion & Generose Mulokozi & Emily Allen & Margaret Fullmer & Gwen Kleinhenz & Kirk Dearden & Mary Linehan & Scott Torres & Joshua West & Benjamin Crookston & Cougar Hall, 2021. "Association between WASH-Related Behaviors and Knowledge with Childhood Diarrhea in Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    11. Amanda Beatty & Evan Borkum & William Leith & Marisa Henry & Margo Berends & Clair Null & Nicholas Ingwersen, "undated". "MCC Indonesia Nutrition Project Impact Evaluation Final Report," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 177dad81487243d59a9fefbcf, Mathematica Policy Research.
    12. Huffman, W. & Huffman, N., 2018. "Convergence Theory and Conditional Convergence in Countries of Sub Saharan Africa from 1990-2015," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277143, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    13. Zhang, Yingnan & Long, Hualou & Chen, Shuocun & Ma, Li & Gan, Muye, 2023. "The development of multifunctional agriculture in farming regions of China: Convergence or divergence?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    14. Daniel B. Odo & Ian A. Yang & Luke D. Knibbs, 2021. "A Systematic Review and Appraisal of Epidemiological Studies on Household Fuel Use and Its Health Effects Using Demographic and Health Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-31, February.
    15. Bridgman, Grace & von Fintel, Dieter, 2022. "Stunting, double orphanhood and unequal access to public services in democratic South Africa," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    16. Abhishek Kumar & Vani Sethi & Arjan de Wagt & Rabi N Parhi & Sourav Bhattacharjee & Sayeed Unisa & Reshmi R. S. & Abhishek Saraswat & Nita Kejrewal & Monica Shrivastava & Lopamudra Tripathy & Zivai Mu, 2023. "Evaluation of impact of engaging federations of women groups to improve women’s nutrition interventions- before, during and after pregnancy in social and economically backward geographies: Evidence fr," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(10), pages 1-26, October.
    17. Abdullah Mamun & Will Martin & Simla Tokgoz, 2021. "Reforming Agricultural Support for Improved Environmental Outcomes," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(4), pages 1520-1549, December.
    18. Talukdar, Swapan & Naikoo, Mohd Waseem & Mallick, Javed & Praveen, Bushra & Shahfahad, & Sharma, Pritee & Islam, Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul & Pal, Swades & Rahman, Atiqur, 2022. "Coupling geographic information system integrated fuzzy logic-analytical hierarchy process with global and machine learning based sensitivity analysis for agricultural suitability mapping," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    19. Hendrik & Yin Yuan & Akhmad Fauzi & Widiatmaka & Dyah Tjahyandari Suryaningtyas & Florentinus Firdiyono & Yang Yao, 2022. "Determination of the Red Mud Industrial Cluster Sites in Indonesia Based on Sustainability Aspect and Waste Management Analysis through PROMETHEE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, July.
    20. G. Venkatesh, 2022. "Circular Bio-economy—Paradigm for the Future: Systematic Review of Scientific Journal Publications from 2015 to 2021," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 231-279, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14693-:d:966393. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.