Sewage Sludge as N-Fertilizers for Crop Production Enabling the Circular Bioeconomy in Agriculture: A Challenge for the New EU Regulation 1009/2019

Mirko Cucina, Patrizia De Nisi, Simone Sordi and Fabrizio Adani
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Mirko Cucina: Gruppo Ricicla Lab., DiSAA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
Patrizia De Nisi: Gruppo Ricicla Lab., DiSAA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
Simone Sordi: ACS Dobfar SpA, Viale Addetta 13-Tribiano, 20067 Milano, Italy
Fabrizio Adani: Gruppo Ricicla Lab., DiSAA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: The fertilizer framework in the European Union has recently been reviewed by EU Regulation 1009/2019 that excluded sewage sludge from the list of the possible constituents of organic fertilizers relying on their origin, not on their quality. This paper aimed to carry out a complete characterization of sewage sludge obtained from a pharmaceutical manufacturing process (PDSS) to demonstrate that sewage sludge obtained from a standardized and controlled manufacturing process can be safely recycled as organic fertilizer. The agronomic and environmental characteristics of the PDSS product were analyzed and compared to other organic fertilizers. Its fertilizing potential was also evaluated through plant growth trials. PDSS was characterized by a high concentration of total N (6.6% w / w ), which was all present in organic form. PDSS also showed a low concentration of heavy metals, an absence of pathogens and low concentrations of organic contaminants. Plant growth trials showed that the PDSS was able to improve lettuce and carrot growth (+25 and +46% of dry weight compared to the unfertilized control), as well as their physiological status. Considering all the results, the exclusion of sewage sludge relying only on its origin and not on its quality appears to conflict with the principles of the circular bioeconomy.

Keywords: biomass; organic contaminants; recycle; sludge; wastewater treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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