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Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds
Dissertation (MSc (Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2018.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1867613460816199680 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Tesfamariam, Eyob Habte |
| author_browse | Tesfamariam, Eyob Habte |
| author_facet | Tesfamariam, Eyob Habte |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2018. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110036 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:30.275Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110036 Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds Tesfamariam, Eyob Habte tessa.demana@gmail.com Demana, Mudanalwo Tessa Nitrogen Ammonium Organic matter Carbon Nitrate Dissertation (MSc (Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2018. The use of sewage sludge in agricultural lands as a source of organic matter and plant nutrients is a well-known practise. Generally, the quality and composition of a sludge is mainly influenced by the origin of wastewater. Besides wastewater treatment processes and post treatment drying techniques do contribute to further changes in the organic matter content and nitrogen fertilizer value of sludge. Such changes in the sludge organic matter content and composition influences the decomposition rate of the substrate. Henceforth, understanding the effect of sludge treatment processes and post treatment drying techniques is crucial to the quantification of the fertilizer value of sludge. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sludge drying depth and time in drying beds on a) the organic matter content and composition; as well as b) the nitrogen content and composition of sludge. To achieve the stated aim, five drying depths (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm) replicated three times were laid on the ground in a completely randomized design. The study was conducted at Vlakplaats, one of East Rand Water Care Works (ERWAT) plants using anaerobically digested sludge from the aforementioned plant. Sludge samples were ground to pass through a 150 _m screen and analysed for total C and N using a Carlo Erba NA1500 C/N analyzer (Carlo ErbaStrumentazione, Milan, Italy). Sludge samples were extracted in 1:5 1 M KCl and tested for ammonium and nitrate with the LachatAuto analyzer (Lachat Quick Chem Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA).Sludge organic matter composition was determined using Van Soest method. Sludge dried in shallow drying depth of 10 cm for shorter period time of 3 week (autumn) and 5 weeks (winter), had the highest total N (3.53- 3.72%) than sludge dried in 20 cm depth for 9 weeks (autumn) and 7 weeks (winter) (2.82-2.92% N), and sludge dried in 25 cm depth (2.62%-2.65% N). The inorganic N content of the dried sludge accounted for less than 10% of the total N in all drying depths both in winter and autumn seasons. Sludge organic matter composition, v however, did not differ significantly between drying depths. The soluble compounds were the dominant fraction of the total sludge organic matter accounting for 75% by mass while the hemicellulose was the least accounting for less than 2% by mass. Results from this study also showed that a 15 cm drying depth, which had slightly lower total N content than the 10 cm but significantly higher than the 20 and 25 cm drying depths, could be a better compromise for higher N fertilizer value and practical application on the ground. Plant and Soil Sciences MSc (Soil Science) 2026-05-15T17:26:08Z 2026-05-15T17:26:08Z 18/02/02 2018 Dissertation http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110036 en application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | Nitrogen Ammonium Organic matter Carbon Nitrate Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| title | Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| title_full | Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| title_fullStr | Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| title_short | Sludge nitrogen, organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| title_sort | sludge nitrogen organic matter content and composition as affected by sludge drying depth on drying beds |
| topic | Nitrogen Ammonium Organic matter Carbon Nitrate |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110036 |