Land application of sewage sludge in China

Land application of sewage sludge in China is thoroughly reviewed. Operation of sewage sludge disposal is usually expensive and/or easy to contaminate the environment. In China, most sewage sludge has not been treated and disposed of properly, resulting in environmental pollution and potential exposure to humans. In the near future, sewage sludge production in China will increase rapidly together with the dramatic increase of municipal wastewater treatment ratio (treated/produced), implying that the problem of sewage sludge disposal will become more serious and unavoidable. Proper land utilization of stabilized sewage sludge can make a positive contribution to agriculture, forestry, horticulture and city development. Heavy metals, organic pollutants and pathogens concentrated in sewage sludge during wastewater treatment are the main obstacles to land application of sewage sludge. To promote land application of sewage sludge in China, a statewide survey of sewage sludge production and harmful components in sewage sludge should be carried out. Sewage sludge management and technologies for sludge treatment and disposal suitable to Chinese conditions should be paid more attention. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.