As requirements for high quality wastewater effluent increase, quantities of sludge generated also increase. Contaminants removed from wastewater concentrate in the sludge and can represent serious environmental insult and health effects if not properly managed. The cost of sludge handling can be estimated to constitute as much as 50% of the cost of wastewater treatment. If properly managed, however, sludge may be considered a resource of value. Unfortunately, very little attention in the scientific commu nity has been given the sludge dilemma either in research or in practice. Sludge...

As requirements for high quality wastewater effluent increase, quantities of sludge generated also increase. Contaminants removed from wastewater concentrate in the sludge and can represent serious environmental insult and health effects if not properly managed. The cost of sludge handling can be estimated to constitute as much as 50% of the cost of wastewater treatment. If properly managed, however, sludge may be considered a resource of value. Unfortunately, very little attention in the scientific commu nity has been given the sludge dilemma either in research or in practice. Sludge...