title: Modeling the inactivation of ascaris eggs as a function of ammonia concentration and temperature.
abstract: Ammonia sanitization is a promising technology for sanitizing human excreta intended for use as a fertilizer in agriculture. Ascaris eggs are the most persistent pathogens regarding ammonia inactivation and are commonly present in fecal sludge in low- and middle-income countries. In this study, a model for predicting ammonia inactivation of ascaris eggs was developed. Data from four previous studies were compiled and analyzed statistically, and a mathematical model for the treatment time required for inactivation was created. The inactivation rate increased with NH3 activity to the power of 0.7. The required treatment time was found to decrease 10-fold for each 16 °C temperature increase. Dry matter (DM) content and pH had no direct effect on inactivation, but had an indirect effect due to their impact on NH3 activity, which was estimated using the Pitzer approach. An additional model giving an approximation of Pitzer NH3 activity but based on the Emerson approach, DM content and total ammonia (NHTot) was also developed. The treatment time required for different log10 reductions of ascaris egg viability can thus easily be estimated by the model as a function of NH3 activity and temperature. The impact on treatment time by different treatment options can then be theoretically evaluated, promoting improvements of the treatment e.g. by adding urea or alkaline agents, or increasing the temperature by solar heating.
authors.affiliation: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy & Technology, Box 7032, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: jorgen.fidjeland@slu.se.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fidjeland
authors.affiliation: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy & Technology, Box 7032, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nordin
authors.affiliation: Trussell Technol Inc, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pecson
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy & Technology, Box 7032, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vinnerås
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001200:Ascaris / Q000187:drug effects*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000469:parasitology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D000641:Ammonia
keywords: Ammonia sanitization; Ascaris; Fecal sludge; Helminth egg; Human excreta; Inactivation