posted on 2018-11-08, 16:57authored byWilkister N. Moturi, Kevin N. Juma, Lenah Nakhone, Samuel Nyalala, Lawrence Kimaru
Heavy metals accumulation in sewage sludge is a major concern to the environment especially when it is considered to be used for crop production. This research aimed at checking the levels of heavy metals in faecal matter based fertiliser products and if there is any subsequent absorption by cabbage when used in the field. Sewage sludge was used as major raw material to produce sludge, biochar, normal compost and vermi compost. Tests were done on the products and later on cabbage tissues. The results obtained showed that the products had no alarming levels of heavy metals as well as the levels in the tissues were not beyond the permissible levels. This indicates these products as safe for cabbage production.
Funding
This research was part of the research partnership between Nakuru County Sanitation Programme (NCSP)/Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Ltd. (NAWASSCO) and Egerton University. NCSP is a European Union co-funded programme implemented by NAWASSCO with the support of the Nakuru County government, Umande Trust, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Vitens Evides International.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Published in
Transformation towards sustainable and resilient WASH services: Proceedings of the 41st WEDC International Conference
Pages
? - ? (5)
Citation
MOTURI, W.N. ... et al, 2018. Assessment of heavy metals in sewage sludge and their accumulation in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata). IN: Shaw, R.J. (ed). Transformation towards sustainable and resilient WASH services: Proceedings of the 41st WEDC International Conference, Nakuru, Kenya, 9-13 July 2018, Paper 2923, 5 pp.
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