title: Select chemical and engineering properties of wastewater biosolids.
abstract: The select chemical and engineering characteristics of biosolids produced at a wastewater treatment plant in Eastern Australia were investigated to assess its suitability as structural fill material in road embankments. Results of comprehensive set of geotechnical experimentation including compaction, consolidation, creep, hydraulic conductivity and shear strength tests implied that biosolids demonstrate behavior similar to highly organic clays with a higher potential for consolidation and settlement. Results of chemical study including heavy metals, dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (and derivatives) and organochlorine pesticides, indicate that biosolids samples are within the acceptable limits which allows their usage under certain guidelines. Results of tests on pathogens (bacteria, viruses or parasites) also indicated that biosolids were within the safe acceptable limits. Technical and management suggestions have been provided to minimize the possible environmental risks of using biosolids in road embankment fills.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. aarulrajah@swin.edu.au
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arulrajah
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Disfani
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suthagaran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imteaz
mesh_terms: D019245:Compressive Strength; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000592:standards*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D008422:Materials Testing; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D033081:Shear Strength; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014739:Victoria; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D012722:Sewage