BENEFICIAL USE OF STABILIZED SEWAGE BIOSOLIDS AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS FOR CROP GROWTH

This paper presents a case study of the economic and environmental impacts of the practice of land application of digested biosolids on society. A comprehensive investigation involving isotopic analysis of nitrogen in the groundwater samples demonstrated that by adopting proper farming methods it is possible to eliminate any potential contamination of groundwater by nitrate ions. It can totally replace commercial ammonia and phosphorus fertilizers without sacrificing crop yield. The savings are twofold – a) environmental gains by reduction of chemical manufacture and the associated energy consumption and green house gas (GHG) emissions, and b) reduction in farming cost for the production of crops.