Reclamation of phosphogypsum deposition site in Wislinka near Gdansk with municipal sewage sludge

Abstract

Utilization of sewage sludge is becoming one of the biggest environmental problems.
One of the possible solutions is application of sludge to soil amendment. Sludge is a good
natural fertilizer due to high concentration of organic carbon and nutrient elements (N, P).
On the contrary, sewage sludge also contains heavy metals and may be contaminated
with enteric parasites. Thus application of sludge to land could result in contamination of
surface and ground waters and including trace metals in the food chains due to
contamination of plants grown on sludge amended soils. Hence land application of sludge
ought to be carefully monitored and follow stringent regulations, which are often difficult
to fulfil. However, if sludge is applied to reclamation of degraded post-industrial lands,
waste deposition sites, landfills and formation of soil-like surface layer on soil-less
grounds, the restrictions are not so stringent and easier to fulfil than in cases when crops
are grown on sludge amended soils.
In the article reclamation of a phosphogypsum deposition site in Wislinka near Gdansk
using sewage sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is discussed.
Phosphogypsum deposit in Wislinka for many years has been one of the biggest
environmental problems of the region, causing permanent complainants from local
communities. Reclamation of the deposition site started in 1999 and has been continued
up till now. Covering of the slopes with a layer of sludge reduces dangerous wind erosion
of dust and promotes plants succession.