Water Use Efficiency

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Al-Quds University Water Use Efficiency Research Group

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Browsing Water Use Efficiency by Author "Maram Jadallah Mohammad Nassar"

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    Sewage sludge conversion to agricultural compost (Case Study: Jericho WWTP.)
    (Al-Quds University, 2024-08-27) Maram Jadallah Mohammad Nassar; مرام جادالله محمد نصار
    There is a rapid increase in sewage sludge products, where approximately 6468 tons of sludge are produced annually in Palestine. Sludge can cause environmental and health problems if not managed properly, including surface and groundwater pollution, emission of foul odors, transmission of diseases and harmful microbes, impacts on ecological systems, and economic repercussions. as well as the absence of a long-term solution to the serious situation in Palestine. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the composting potential of sewage sludge with various bulking agents and to identify the most effective combination. Four trials of composting (Exp. 1, Exp. 2, Exp. 3, and Exp. 4) were carried out using sewage sludge, soil, Azolla, and palm leaves mixtures in all experiments. Palm leaves were proposed as a solution to another environmental issue because of the ecological harm they caused to Jericho City and the difficulty in getting rid of them. Additionally, Azolla was added because it contains important nutritional elements that help plants grow and flourish, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. In Exp. 4, Opuntia was added to the previous mixture instead of Azolla. Varying proportions of sewage sludge, Palm leaf, Opuntia (dry basis to moisture content 14–5%), and Azolla (wet basis to moisture content 88–8%) were used. The nutritional significance of Opuntia that lies in its ability to improve soil quality and support plant growth, which includes benefits like improving soil structure, providing nutrients, improving aeration, protecting against oxidation, and increasing water use efficiency in turned-windrows and open-air conditions. This research utilizes a rigorous analytical methodology that systematically examines all necessary elements. The composting process was monitored for temperature and moisture content (MC), while organic matter (OM), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and C/N ratio were evaluated post-composting. The assessment of operational parameters revealed that the highest levels of organic matter degradation (32.5%), pH (7.18), C/N ratio (1/25.8), temperature (44°C), and composting duration (3 months) was achieved with the Exp. 2 mixture. Additionally, the Exp. 1 and Exp. 4 mixtures also demonstrated success in terms of these operational parameters following Palestinian specifications (OM>35%, pH 5-85, C/N ratio (1/25). Using sewage sludge in composting procedures is important for agricultural waste management, cost-effectiveness, and process efficiency. This is especially true for palm leaves too, which were previously underutilized composting but showed encouraging results in this study. We found that the mixture Exp. 2 was the most successful in increasing growth, germination, stem length, and root density. The fourth Experiment was the next most effective. Then the first experiment. These results reflect the impact of different fertilizer components on plant growth and development. It is important to note that results in this study are solely derived from practical experiments, thereby enhancing the credibility of the findings.