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Evaluation and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals (HMs) in Sewage Sludge of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Shanxi, China

Author

Listed:
  • Baoling Duan

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
    College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China)

  • Fenwu Liu

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China)

  • Wuping Zhang

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China)

  • Haixia Zheng

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China)

  • Qiang Zhang

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China)

  • Xiaomei Li

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
    Alberta Innovates—Energy & Environment Solutions, Edmonton, AB T5J3G2, Canada)

  • Yushan Bu

    (College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China)

Abstract

Heavy metals (HMs) in sewage sludge have become the crucial limiting factors for land use application. Samples were collected and analyzed from 32 waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Shanxi Province, China. HM levels in sewage sludge were assessed. The multivariate statistical method principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the sources of HMs in sewage sludge. HM pollution classes by geochemical accumulation index I geo and correlation analyses between HMs were also conducted. HMs were arranged in the following decreasing order of mean concentration: Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > As > Hg > Cd; the maximum concentrations of all HMs were within the limit of maximum content permitted by Chinese discharge standard. I geo classes of HMs pollution in order from most polluted to least were: Cu and Hg pollution were the highest; Cd and Cr pollution were moderate; Zn, As and Pb pollution were the least. Sources of HM contamination in sewage sludge were identified as three components. The primary contaminant source accounting for 35.7% of the total variance was identified as smelting industry, coking plant and traffic sources; the second source accounting for 29.0% of the total variance was distinguished as household and water supply pollution; the smallest of the three sources accounting for 16.2% of the total variance was defined as special industries such as leather tanning, textile manufacturing and chemical processing industries. Source apportionment of HMs in sewage sludge can control HM contamination through suggesting improvements in government policies and industrial processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Baoling Duan & Fenwu Liu & Wuping Zhang & Haixia Zheng & Qiang Zhang & Xiaomei Li & Yushan Bu, 2015. "Evaluation and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals (HMs) in Sewage Sludge of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Shanxi, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:12:p:15022-15818:d:60438
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fytili, D. & Zabaniotou, A., 2008. "Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods--A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 116-140, January.
    2. Kudakwashe K. Shamuyarira & Jabulani R. Gumbo, 2014. "Assessment of Heavy Metals in Municipal Sewage Sludge: A Case Study of Limpopo Province, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Zhang, Daisheng & Aunan, Kristin & Martin Seip, Hans & Vennemo, Haakon, 2011. "The energy intensity target in China's 11th Five-Year Plan period--Local implementation and achievements in Shanxi Province," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(7), pages 4115-4124, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Baoling Duan & Qiang Feng, 2022. "Risk Assessment and Potential Analysis of the Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge in Central Shanxi Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Baoling Duan & Wuping Zhang & Haixia Zheng & Chunyan Wu & Qiang Zhang & Yushan Bu, 2017. "Comparison of Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals and As in Sewage Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Adults and Children in the Urban District of Taiyuan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Jiabo Chen & Fayun Li & Zhiping Fan & Yanjie Wang, 2016. "Integrated Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods to Source Apportionment of Watercourses in the Liao River Basin, Northeast China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-27, October.

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