Dirk Jan Dinno B. Coligado, Angelica Euara J. Manrique, Mario Jr Rebosura
{"title":"Linear optimization of sludge transportation and treatment pathways in a semi-centralized wastewater treatment system in Metro Manila, Philippines","authors":"Dirk Jan Dinno B. Coligado, Angelica Euara J. Manrique, Mario Jr Rebosura","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02377-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02377-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study explores the optimization of sludge transportation and treatment pathways within a semi-centralized wastewater treatment system in Metro Manila, Philippines, aiming to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Linear optimization was employed to analyze sludge management alternatives, focusing on transportation, treatment processes, biogas production, energy recovery, and emissions. The study evaluates sludge management scenarios, incorporating environmental impacts such as CO<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions. Results indicate that centralized sludge treatment facilities equipped with anaerobic digesters and combined heat and power (CHP) systems significantly reduce net GHG emissions, achieving a net sequestration of −67.1 tons CO2e/day. Transportation emissions were found to be negligible compared to treatment processes. North Metro Manila Water Treatment Facility (NWTF)’s integrated sludge treatment facility, designed for energy recovery, presented the most environmentally favorable option, whereas facilities relying simply on flaring biogas without energy recovery demonstrated higher emissions. The disposal emissions also contributed greatly to carbon emissions representing 88.8% of the total system emissions. Key findings suggest that enhancing biogas recovery systems and reducing emissions from combustion processes are critical for further sustainability improvements. This provides an insight that disposal emissions should be highly considered when choosing a method rather than its proximity to the treatment facilities. This study highlights the potential of linear optimization in informing sustainable sludge management strategies aligned with environmental and operational goals. While the study provides valuable insights for sustainable sludge management, it is limited by the exclusion of the wastewater treatment emission from which the sludge was derived from. Emission estimates were also based on assumptions and IPCC emission factors in the absence of primary local data. These findings highlight the role of linear optimization in supporting environmentally sound and operationally efficient decision-making in sludge management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2987 - 2997"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlos Daniel García-López, Paloma Barajas-Álvarez, Martín Esteban González-López, Frank J. Loge, Jürgen Mahlknecht, Carolina Senés-Guerrero, Misael Sebastián Gradilla-Hernández
{"title":"Evaluating sludge management strategies using wastewater treatment plant simulations and life cycle assessment","authors":"Carlos Daniel García-López, Paloma Barajas-Álvarez, Martín Esteban González-López, Frank J. Loge, Jürgen Mahlknecht, Carolina Senés-Guerrero, Misael Sebastián Gradilla-Hernández","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02375-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02375-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The goal of this study is to compare the environmental and energy performance of three sludge management scenarios at a wastewater treatment plant in Mexico, using process simulations and life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess energy use, environmental impacts, and costs. The functional unit is one cubic meter of treated influent wastewater, including sludge treatment and disposal. Screw press, thermal drying, and anaerobic digestion (AD) were assessed for energy use and environmental impacts, focusing on global warming potential, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource scarcity. The Base Case scenario assumes a 50/50 distribution of wastewater flow between two biological treatment lines (anoxic/oxic and conventional activated sludge), with sludge equally treated by drying and screw pressing. The Best-Case scenario directs all flow to the anoxic/oxic line and treats all sludge through AD with electricity and heat recovery. Compared with the Base Case, the Best-Case scenario reduced energy use by 14%, corresponding to a specific energy savings of 0.04 kWh/m<sup>3</sup>, and achieved annual cost savings of 35,891 USD. The key challenges included limited data on sludge characteristics and disposal practices in Mexico, which required careful adaptation. LCA was enabled through process simulation, which provided site-specific inventory data despite limited regional reporting.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2972 - 2986"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10163-025-02375-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A comparative analysis of composite and grab sampling methods for fecal sludge characterization: a case study from Pilani, India","authors":"Harishvar Jothinathan, Ajit Pratap Singh","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02367-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02367-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Fecal sludge (FS) is biohazardous waste from on-site sanitation (OSS) containers like septic tanks and pit latrines, potentially harming the environment if discharged untreated. The design of the FS treatment system depends on its characteristic properties. Earlier and already existing characterization studies have shown that FS age, OSS type, water inclusion, and usage of additives significantly impact FS characteristics. There are various sampling methods to collect and characterize the sample. However, no study has compared the sampling methods of FS, which may potentially impact characterization. This study compares composite and grab sampling methods by analyzing 15 samples of each collected from the same FS discharge during a vacuum truck emptying vehicle in Pilani, a town in Rajasthan, India. The characterization of FS samples from OSS revealed variations between the two sampling methods, even though the samples were obtained from the same FS discharge. In composite sampling, total solids (TS) varied from 14.9 to 90 g/l (mean: 42.3 g/l, median: 33.4 g/l), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) varied from 16 g/l to 122.7 g/l (mean: 54.7 g/l, median: 42.7 g/l). While in grab sampling, TS varied from 12.1 to 91.5 g/l (mean: 36.2 g/l, median: 25.6 g/l), and COD varied from 8.7 g/l to 114.7 g/l (mean: 43.9 g/l, median: 29.3 g/l). A paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test shows that sampling methods significantly affect the TS (<i>p</i> = 0.041) and COD (<i>p</i> = 0.018) of FS samples.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2998 - 3008"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malgorzata Kacprzak, Jolanta Baran, Krzysztof Fijalkowski
{"title":"Emerging sewage sludge treatment technologies for land carbon sequestration: a comprehensive review","authors":"Malgorzata Kacprzak, Jolanta Baran, Krzysztof Fijalkowski","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02369-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02369-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sewage sludge management is a pressing environmental challenge due to high greenhouse gas emissions and inefficiencies in traditional methods such as landfilling and incineration. This review explores emerging and transformative technologies that align with carbon sequestration and sustainable land use. Novel approaches such as biochar production via pyrolysis, CaO-based stabilization to form calcium carbonate (CaCO<sub>3</sub>), and phosphorus recovery through struvite precipitation are emphasized for their dual roles in climate mitigation and enhancing soil fertility. Other innovative techniques, including hydrothermal carbonization and microbial stabilization, have been examined for their ability to stabilize carbon in persistent forms. This study highlights the novelty of combining carbon sequestration with nutrient recycling, which enables long-term environmental benefits. Biochar and Ca-based fertilizers demonstrate exceptional potential for integrating carbon capture with soil enhancement, whereas struvite offers an effective pathway for nutrient recovery. Environmental trade-offs—such as greenhouse gas emissions during treatment, potential contaminant risks, and energy demands—are assessed alongside the benefits of reduced synthetic fertilizer dependence, improved soil health, and carbon sequestration. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and economic analyses confirm the feasibility and sustainability of these technologies. This comprehensive review advances the understanding of innovative sewage sludge treatments, offering a framework for integrating carbon-negative solutions into waste management practices.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2866 - 2886"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10163-025-02369-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John Paolo L. Lazarte, Kharren Mae C. Rosario, Mario Jr. Rebosura
{"title":"Criteria evaluation for the selection of biosolids management options for land application in the Philippines using analytic hierarchy process","authors":"John Paolo L. Lazarte, Kharren Mae C. Rosario, Mario Jr. Rebosura","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02355-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02355-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Land application of biosolids for soil conditioning is a promising pathway to promote sustainability, especially in developing countries such as the Philippines. To maximize its benefits, heavy metals, pathogens, and emerging pollutants that come with biosolids must be properly managed using appropriate treatment processes. Furthermore, environmental impacts and associated costs when investing and operating on technologies must be considered. This study utilizes analytic hierarchy process to compute for priority weights for the following technologies: in-vessel composting, heat drying, electron beam irradiation and gamma ray irradiation. Weights for the 10 subcriteria were obtained through a pairwise comparison made by 45 wastewater professionals, which were then used to assess the four technologies. Based on the data and responses obtained, gamma ray irradiation emerged as the top technology among the technology options. However, in-vessel composting still remains an important option especially when more importance is given to vector attraction reduction, local technology readiness level (TRL), and operational expenses (OPEX).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2946 - 2958"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maegan Gwyneth T. Alcaraz, John Paolo L. Lazarte, Ace Albert G. Angeles, Aileen H. Orbecido
{"title":"Biofilm carriers and the potential integration of carbon sources from waste activated sludge through ionizing radiation","authors":"Maegan Gwyneth T. Alcaraz, John Paolo L. Lazarte, Ace Albert G. Angeles, Aileen H. Orbecido","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02353-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02353-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Activated sludge is a key component in wastewater treatment processes as it contains the microbes responsible for treatment. Autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria perform breakdown complex organic matter and denitrify the water using carbon sources as their energy requirement. As the existing carbon source in effluent wastewater is often insufficient to support complete denitrification, external carbon sources are added to make up for this deficit. In this paper, different carbon sources and biofilm carriers were reviewed, and the uses of ionizing radiation were discussed. The potential of ionizing radiation as a way to integrate carbon sources from denitrification sludge into biofilm carriers was then explored. The production of radicals after irradiation leads to a more reactive biofilm carrier surface, promoting the attachment of charged biofilm and the growth of sludge. The breakdown of complex carbon molecules in the sludge into simpler molecules after irradiation allows it to be used by microbes as a carbon source and continue. With the theoretical foundations offered by this study, proof-of-concept studies are then recommended to confirm the effect of sludge irradiation on biofilm attachment and denitrification performance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2850 - 2865"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Kamrul Hassan, Janne Pesonen, Muhammad Mohsin, Aki Villa, Sari Tuomikoski, Ari Pappinen, Suvi Kuittinen
{"title":"Characterization of sewage sludge-based organomineral fertilizers and evaluation of their effectiveness on growth and productivity of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)","authors":"Md. Kamrul Hassan, Janne Pesonen, Muhammad Mohsin, Aki Villa, Sari Tuomikoski, Ari Pappinen, Suvi Kuittinen","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02347-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02347-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sewage sludge generated from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is rich in nutrients. Use of this resource in agricultural purposes offers a sustainable solution of disposal in line with waste management, effective use of resources, and nutrient closed-loop systems. However, sludge-based fertilizers contain harmful heavy metals (HMs) and various medicines which pose a threat to the environment. This study examined the key compositions of sludge-based organomineral fertilizers and their effectiveness on growth and productivity of spring barley. Standard methods were applied for compositional analyses. In addition, experimental trials were set up to understand the effectiveness of organomineral fertilizers on barley seedlings. Results revealed that sludge-based fertilizers from case WWTP contain a good level of nutrients, and low levels of harmful HMs and medicines, indicating the quality of sludge is of high quality to use as fertilizers. Sludge-based fertilizers have a positive impact on growth and productivity of barley seedlings, and these are maximized when the seedlings are treated with sludge-struvite organomineral fertilizer. However, the performance of sludge-based organomineral fertilizers depends on the type of mixing recipes. As such, further research on mixing recipes, extensive field trials, risk and a detailed sustainability analysis are needed to understand the long-term impact of this resource.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2959 - 2971"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10163-025-02347-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From sewage sludge to agriculture: governmental initiatives, technologies, and sustainable practices in Japan","authors":"Thu Huong Nguyen, Taku Fujiwara, Hiromasa Yamashita, Hironori Togawa, Haruo Miyake, Masako Goto, Hideaki Nagare, Masato Nakamura, Fumiko Oritate, Hirotaka Ihara, Morihiro Maeda","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02339-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02339-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sewage sludge (SS), an underutilized but valuable resource for agriculture, contains essential nutrients, such as phosphorus. In Japan, where dependence on imported fertilizers is high and global price fluctuations persist, using SS as fertilizer presents a sustainable alternative aligned with circular economy goals. This review analyzes Japan’s current efforts to repurpose SS, focusing on technological developments and key policy initiatives that promote safe and effective application. Selective phosphorus recovery technologies mitigate resource depletion, while holistic approaches, such as composting and carbonization, maximize sludge utilization for agricultural applications. Government-led initiatives, including public awareness campaigns, quality assurance standards and research support, have facilitated the adoption of sludge-based fertilizers. To contextualize Japan’s position, international trends, particularly in the EU, are also examined. These comparisons reveal both common strategies and areas for policy and technological advancement, especially regarding regulation of emerging contaminants. By integrating national case studies with global perspectives, the study offers insights into the economic, environmental, and social benefits of SS reuse, contributing to Japan’s goals of resource self-sufficiency and carbon neutrality, while also informing broader sustainable agriculture transitions worldwide.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"2832 - 2849"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10163-025-02339-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Timber and wood waste biochar in cementitious composites: a circular economy approach to performance and sustainability: a review","authors":"Supun Karunarathna, Chamila Gunasekara, David Law, Roshan Jayathilakage, Sujeeva Setunge, Letiscia Xavier","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02345-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02345-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Timber biochar, derived from wood waste, has emerged as a promising alternative for partially replacing cement and aggregates in cementitious composites, offering both environmental and performance benefits. This review systematically analyzes the influence of biochar properties and dosages on cement composites through data synthesis and the development of contour plots for property optimization. Incorporating optimal biochar dosages (1–5%) achieves compressive strength improvements of up to 45% at 28 days and reduces shrinkage up to 25% through effective water retention. Fine biochar particles (< 50 µm) enhance the interfacial transition zone, promoting a denser microstructure and improved load transfer. Pre-soaked biochar performs better than dry biochar, particularly in low-moisture environments, by enhancing hydration and strength development. Economically, low-temperature biochar (300 °C) reduces cement composite costs by up to 1.6% while sustainably managing wood waste. Combining biochar with silica fume enhances resilience at high temperatures (500 °C), reducing internal damage and maintaining durability. Despite its potential, challenges remain in optimizing pre-treatment methods, addressing leaching risks, and ensuring long-term durability. This review highlights the transformative potential of timber biochar for sustainable construction, carbon capture and utilization, while demonstrating its ability to balance economic viability with environmental responsibility.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"3196 - 3221"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10163-025-02345-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries: a review","authors":"Zhaocheng Huang, Zetong Feng, Lei Gou, Rui He","doi":"10.1007/s10163-025-02341-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10163-025-02341-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the leading electrochemical energy storage devices, offering high energy density, power, cycle life, and environmental adaptability. With the rapid growth of LIBs use, the demand for key metals has surged, making the recycling of valuable metals from spent LIBs a critical issue. This paper reviews the current recovery methods, focusing on hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and mechanochemical processes, with emphasis on hydrometallurgical techniques such as acid and alkaline leaching, enhanced leaching, chemical precipitation, and solvent extraction. The advantages and limitations of each process are discussed, and insights are provided for developing efficient, environmentally friendly, and intelligent recycling systems for spent LIBs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":643,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management","volume":"27 5","pages":"3143 - 3165"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}