Physico-chemical and microbiological properties of plant wastes treated with sewage sludge

The physico-chemical and microbiological properties of sewage sludge, and various agricultural wastes treated with sewage sludge are discussed. The addition of sewage sludge resulted in an increase in the nitrogen content but the total organic carbon content on storage of the mixed wastes decreased. The phosphosrus content also increased rapidly initially but there was no change in potassium content as storage continued. Sewage sludge treatment also stimulated bacterial and actinomycetes populations. With proper C:N ratio adjustments, agricultural wastes could be profitably recycled with a greater degree of N enrichment.