Determination of inorganic and organic priority pollutants in biosolids from meat processing industry

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 29; no. 9; pp. 2574 - 2581
• Main Authors: de Sena, Rennio F., Tambosi, José L., Floriani, Silvia L., Virmond, Elaine, Schröder, Horst Fr, Moreira, Regina F.P.M., José, Humberto J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Benzofurans - analysis; COMBUSTION; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; DIOXIN; Exact sciences and technology; FERTILIZERS; General purification processes; General treatment and storage processes; INCINERATORS; Industrial Waste - analysis; MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; Meat; Meat-Packing Industry; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Other wastes and particular components of wastes; Plants (organisms); POLLUTANTS; POLLUTION; Polyallylamine hydrochloride; POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analogs & derivatives; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analysis; POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Priorities; SEWAGE SLUDGE; TOXICITY; Trace Elements - analysis; WASTE DISPOSAL; Waste Management; WASTE PROCESSING; WASTE WATER; Wastes; Wastewaters; WATER TREATMENT; Water treatment and pollution; Dioxin derivatives; Fertilization; Hydrocarbon; Polychlorobiphenyls; Combustion; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Sewage sludge; Waste disposal; Waste water; Fertilizers; Incineration plant; Trace element; Pollution; Surveillance; Urban waste water; Waste water purification
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.05.002

The biosolids (BS) generated in the wastewater treatment process of a meat processing plant were monitored and the priority pollutant content was characterized. The trace metal and organic pollutant content – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) – were determined quantitatively and compared to guideline limits established by the US EPA and EU. PCBs were not detected in the solid samples, while trace metals, PAHs and PCDD/PCDF were detected in concentrations below the limits established by international standards. Toxic equivalent factors were evaluated for the biosolids, and the results proved that these wastes can be safely deposited on land or used in combustion/incineration plants. Since no previous data were found for meat processing waste, comparisons were made using municipal sewage sludge data reported in the literature. Since, this report monitored part of the priority pollutants established by the US EPA for meat and poultry processing wastewater and sludge, the results verified that low pollution loads are generated by the meat processing plant located in the southern part of Brazil. However, the BS generated in the treatment processes are in accordance with the limits established for waste disposal and even for soil fertilizer.