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Peer-reviewedCC BYApplied Sciences

Agronomic Valorization of Sewage Sludge Through Composting and Liming

  • Henda Lopes1,2,3
  • Elisabete Nascimento Gonçalves1,3
  • Maria Morais1,3
  • Ana Maria Coimbra1,3
  • João Sousa1,3
  • Paula Oliveira1,3
  • Henrique Trindade1,3
  • Marta Roboredo1,3
  1. 1Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
  2. 2Departamento de Ciências Agrárias Ambiente e Pescas, Instituto Superior Politécnico do Cuanza Sul (ISPCS), Rua 12 de Novembro, Sumbe P.O. Box 82, Angola
  3. 3Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Abstract

Sewage sludge (SS) is a by-product of wastewater treatment processes (WWTPs) and is rich in organic matter and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a potential fertilizer for agricultural use. However, its application is often limited due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, metals, and organic contaminants that can accumulate in soils and crops, raising concerns about food safety. Sewage sludge is additionally challenging to handle due to its high moisture content, low density, and odor emission. To mitigate environmental risks and enhance its usability as a soil fertilizer, SS must be stabilized. Various techniques, including chemical, physical, and biological, can be used to stabilize SS. The addition of lime and composting has received particular attention among these techniques owing to the benefits they offer. Both methods effectively control and eliminate pathogens and reduce metal bioavailability, thus improving their agricultural utility. This review emphasizes the importance of using SS for agricultural purposes, placing particular focus on the procedures of composting and liming to stabilize and enhance the quality of SS, hence promoting its safety.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{lopes2026agronomic,
  title = {{Agronomic Valorization of Sewage Sludge Through Composting and Liming}},
  author = {Henda Lopes and Elisabete Nascimento Gonçalves and Maria Morais and Ana Maria Coimbra and João Sousa and Paula Oliveira and Henrique Trindade and Marta Roboredo},
  journal = {Applied Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.3390/app16104805},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/app16104805},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Agronomic Valorization of Sewage Sludge Through Composting and Liming
AU  - Henda Lopes
AU  - Elisabete Nascimento Gonçalves
AU  - Maria Morais
AU  - Ana Maria Coimbra
AU  - João Sousa
AU  - Paula Oliveira
AU  - Henrique Trindade
AU  - Marta Roboredo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/12
JO  - Applied Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/app16104805
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3390/app16104805
AB  - Sewage sludge (SS) is a by-product of wastewater treatment processes (WWTPs) and is rich in organic matter and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a potential fertilizer for agricultural use. However, its application is often limited due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, metals, and organic contaminants that can accumulate in soils and crops, raising concerns about food safety. Sewage sludge is additionally challenging to handle due to its high moisture content, low density, and odor emission. To mitigate environmental risks and enhance its usability as a soil fertilizer, SS must be stabilized. Various techniques, including chemical, physical, and biological, can be used to stabilize SS. The addition of lime and composting has received particular attention among these techniques owing to the benefits they offer. Both methods effectively control and eliminate pathogens and reduce metal bioavailability, thus improving their agricultural utility. This review emphasizes the importance of using SS for agricultural purposes, placing particular focus on the procedures of composting and liming to stabilize and enhance the quality of SS, hence promoting its safety.
SN  - 2076-3417
ER  -