title: Scientific basis of dissolved organic carbon limitation for landfilling of municipal treatment sludge--is it attainable and justifiable?
abstract: This study evaluated the scientific and technical basis of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) limitation imposed on municipal sludge for landfilling, mainly for assessing the attainability of the implemented numerical level. For this purpose, related conceptual framework was analyzed, covering related sewage characteristics, soluble microbial products generation, and substrate solubilization and leakage due to hydrolysis. Soluble COD footprint was experimentally established for a selected treatment plant, including all the key steps in the sequence of wastewater treatment and sludge handling. Observed results were compared with reported DOCs in other treatment configurations. None of the leakage tests performed or considered in the study could even come close to the prescribed limitation. All observed results reflected 10-20 fold higher DOC levels than the numerical limit of 800 mg/kg (80 mg/L), providing conclusive evidence that the DOC limitation imposed on municipal treatment sludge for landfilling is not attainable, and therefore not justifiable on the basis of currently available technology.
authors: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey; ENVIS Energy and Environmental Systems Ltd., ITU Arı Teknokent, Arı 1 Binası, 16, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: sozens@itu.edu.tr.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sözen
authors: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: ubay@itu.edu.tr.
authors: E Ubay
authors: EU
authors: Cokgor
authors: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: inselhay@itu.edu.tr.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Insel
authors: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: okutmand@itu.edu.tr.
authors: D Okutman
authors: DO
authors: Tas
authors: ENVIS Energy and Environmental Systems Ltd., ITU Arı Teknokent, Arı 1 Binası, 16, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: hdulkadiroglu@isnet.net.tr.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Dulkadiroglu
authors: ENVIS Energy and Environmental Systems Ltd., ITU Arı Teknokent, Arı 1 Binası, 16, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: karacaca@itu.edu.tr.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Karaca
authors: Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Dokuz Eylul University, 35160 Buca, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: ayse.filibeli@due.edu.tr.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Filibeli
authors: Çorlu Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Namik Kemal University, Çorlu, Tekirday, Turkey. Electronic address: smeric@nku.edu.tr.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Meric
authors: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey; ENVIS Energy and Environmental Systems Ltd., ITU Arı Teknokent, Arı 1 Binası, 16, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: orhon@itu.edu.tr.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Orhon
mesh_terms: D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage
keywords: Dissolved organic carbon; EU legislation; Hydrolysis; Landfilling; Municipal sludge; Soluble microbial product