The Potentiality of Textile Sludge to be Used as Organic Manure

Textile Industries of Bangladesh confront the environment a huge threat. It produces a huge amount of sludge from effluent treatment plants that is a burden for industries for its high volume and proper treatment cost thereby a huge threat to the environment. The present study aims to characterize the solid sludge of textile industry in terms of pH, organic matter (OM), nutrient elements (N, P, K) and other metal elements through proper analytical methods. The average pH value of the sludge sample was 8.28 along with moisture content 60.64%. The average content of the OM of the studied sludge samples was 11.73% and the average values of N, P and K were 7.57%, 0.52% and 0.50%, respectively. The studied metal (Cr, Zn Mn, Cd, Pb, As and Cu) content of the sludge revealed that the toxic heavy metals Pb, Cd and As were not found in the samples. This study reveals that the amount of OM, N, P and pH is within the Waste concern compost standard (WCCS). The findings clearly show a potentiality of textile sludge as organic manure as they are rich in OM and plant nutrients and free from toxic heavy metals as well.


Introduction
The textile industry, the flagship of Bangladesh-now earns more than 70% of the country`s total export income. A recent report also revealed that Bangladesh's RMG (Ready Made Garments) exports to the world markets reached an all-time high value of over USD 9.35 billion in the end of 2007 (BGMEA, 2008). This textile and dyeing industries now viewed as a major environmental threat in the industrial area of Bangladesh and they contribute huge amounts of sludge in wastewater treatment processes (Karimet al., 2006). Although characteristics of sludge depend on the wastewater treatment process and sludge stabilization methods, it contains substantial amounts of toxic heavy metals (Chen et al., 2005;Singh et al., 2004). Another recent investigation reported that elevated levels of heavy metals in vegetables are found from the areas having long term uses of treated or untreated wastewater (Sharma et al., 2006(Sharma et al., , 2007. Sludge Waste is classified either as hazardous or non-hazardous. Hazardous sludge waste is a waste that due to its (intrinsic) chemical or other properties poses a risk to the environment and/or human health (Wahlstromet al., 2016). Disposal of sludge from industrial Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) is a serious issue because it can affect human and animals' health, and also environmental quality (Ahmadiet al., 2013). Exposure to physical and chemical compounds can produce a variety of adverse effects including non-communicable diseases, chromosomal changes, mutations, sperm abnormalities, early or late fetal loss, still births, decrease birth weights, altered sex ratio, birth defects and childhood malignancies (Soniet al., 2008). The resulting textile sludge has usually been disposed in landfill or incinerated with high associated costs. Modern waste management practices suggest recycling when possible (Rosa et al., 2007). Industrial activities lead to the generation of large amounts of sludge the disposal of which is a serious environmental issue because it contains harmful level of pollutants including heavy metals (Stylianouet al., 2007). Heavy metals disposal is a big concern due to their being nonbiodegradable and their tendency to bioaccumulation and they can affect human and animals' health and also environmental quality (Nair et al., 2008). Interest in such issues is constantly increasing because they have gradually been broadened with concepts such as sustainable development which implies ecological, economic and social responsibilities. Therefore, handling sludge is one of the most important challenges in wastewater management (Fytiliet al., 2008). There are several methods to handle sludge, each with advantages and limitations such as land use (Shiraniet al., 2010, Shomaret al., 2004, manufacturing construction materials (Vieira et al., 2006, Silva et al., 2007 wastewater treatment reagents (Huang et al., 2011) sludge dewatering (Ninget al., 2013) and landfills. This textile and dyeing industries now viewed as a major environmental threat in the industrial area of Bangladesh and they contribute huge amounts of sludge in wastewater treatment processes (Karimet al., 2006).Therefore, the present research is undertaken to know some physicochemical parameters of sludge containing water and usages of sludge in potential area.

Materials and Method
The sludge samples were randomly collected from different wastewater treatment units of different textile factories at Gazipur, Bangladesh. Sludge samples were weighed, cleaned and dried in an oven at 60 °C and 120°C for 8 hours for organic and inorganic parameter determination, respectively. The dried sludge samples were gently ground and homogenized in an agate mortar and stored as stock sample. The pH and moisture content of raw sludge were measured by glass electrode pH meter as described by Jackson (1985). Total nitrogen and total phosphorus was determined by the method which described by Apha (2012). Organic matter was determined titrimetrically using Walkley and Black method with oxidation of organic matter with potassium dichromate described by Gosh et al.(1983). Exchangeable potassium was extracted by neutral ammonium acetate and determined directly by flame photometer (Black, 1965) at the wave length of 766.5 to 769.5 nm. For the determination of sulfur, digested sample (10 ml) was taken in the measuring flask followed by 10 ml of acid seed solution and 5 ml turbidimetric reagent using pipettes. Then shaking was performed frequently for 20 minutes and measured the absorbance on a spectrophotometer at 535 nm. An aliquot of a well-mixed, homogeneous aqueous or solid sample is accurately weighed or measured for sample processing. For total recoverable analysis of a solid or an aqueous sample containing undissolved material, analytes are first solubilized by gentle refluxing with nitric and hydrochloric acids. After cooling, the sample is made up to volume, is mixed and centrifuged or allowed to settle overnight prior to analysis. For the determination of dissolved analytes in a filtered aqueous sample aliquot, or for the "direct analysis" total recoverable determination of analytes in drinking water where sample turbidity is <1 NTU, the sample is made ready for analysis by the appropriate addition of nitric acid, and then diluted to a predetermined volume and mixed before analysis. For each determination, same experiment was also done for standard solutions and blank tests were also done by using blank digest. With these values, each calibration curve was constructed against known concentrations. Determination of trace elements in waters and wastes by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry described by EPA (1994).Completely dried sludge sample was converted into fine powder by using ager mortar. 100mg bulk sample was taken with the help of microbalance& packed in ultra clean polythene envelope. After that, sample packets are sealed with second packing. A blank & three standard samples were prepared by the same process and taken into an irradiation tube. The Irradiation vial was then transferred to the Dry Centre Thimble (DCT) of TRIGA Mark-II Research Reactor. The samples were irradiated 40 minutes at 1 MW by the neutrons at Neutron flux: 3.04×1013N\cm 2 s. After that 40 minute irradiation time the samples were given 2 days cooling. Then the tube was unloaded and all the irradiated samples were kept in a lead castle for one day as a waiting time to decay the short lived nuclides. The acquisition of samples and measurements were performed by allowing various decay intervals in order to identify different nuclides:(1) decay time of 72 hours for the determination of Complete characterization of ETP sludge from textile industry Na; (2) after the decay time of 3 to 6 days, with a measuring time of 1.39 h to 2.23 h for the determination of Pb, Mn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Al ,Zn, As, Cu, Fe, La, Ce, Sm, Sc, Sb, Na, and K. All tests were performed at SGS Bangladesh Limited, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh with pure reagents and materials.

Physical Parameter
Present study found that the physical characteristics (Table 1) of studied sludge were non granular, dark in colour, odorous and moist around 64.60%. Bio sludge of secondary textile wastewater treatment processes content high organic carbon and plant nutrients, this bio-resource can be practically reused as raw feedstock for making organic fertilizers and building materials (Tsai, 2012) but also this sludge had high ammonia and H 2 S contain cause odor problem. The moisture content will decrease if it dried or composted. The present research found that the average concentration of chromium in the sludge samples was 34.5 mgkg-1 with a ranged from 32-38 mg kg-1( Table 2). The highest concentration of Cr was found in sample 3 and the lowest concentration of Cr was found 32 mg kg-1 in sample 5. This result indicates that analyzed sludge sample contained relatively lower amount of Cr than that of agricultural soil. Natural background level chromium in agricultural soil in Bangladesh is 100 mg kg-1 (Table 3). Average concentration of copper was 118.83 mg kg with ranged from 78-156 mg kg-1 ( Table 2). The highest concentration of copper was found in sample 2, in addition the lowest concentration of copper was found 78 mg kg-1 in sample 1. This result indicates that analyzed sludge sample contained relatively lower amount of copper than that of India (Table 3).

Zinc (Zn)
The present study found that the average concentration of zinc in the sludge samples was 201.5 mg kg -1 with a ranged from 73-306 mg kg -1 ( Table 2). The Highest concentration of Zn was found in sample 2 and the lowest was found 73 mg kg -1 in sample1. This result indicates that average concentration of analyzed sludge sample contained relatively lower amount of Zn than that of ranges in uncontaminated soil of India (Table 3). The threshold natural background value of Zn in crop soils and paddy soils in China is ≤100 mg/kg.

Manganese (Mn)
The present study found that the average concentration of manganese in the sludge samples was 1410.33 mg/kg although the concentration of Mn in the sludge sample ranged from 833-1810 mg/kg in Table 2. The highest (1810 mg kg-1) and lowest (833 mg kg-1) concentration of Mn was found in sample 2 and in sample1. This result mas.ccsenet.org Vol. 14, No. 9;2020 indicates that average concentration of analyzed sludge sample contained within limit in uncontaminated soil of India (Table 3).

Organic Matter
The average content of organic matter (OM) of sludge was 11.725 % observed from the study. The highest content of organic matter was found in sample 6 as well as the lowest content of organic matter was found in sample 5. The OM in studied sludge sample was within the WCCS limit (Table4).The studied sludge contains high OM and the average OM value of sludge samples was 11.92%. OM is the measure of carbon based material in the sludge. It can be considered as a pivotal component of soil because of its role in physical, chemical and biological processes. The organic contents of soil and organic manure are primary important in providing energy, substrates, and the biological diversity necessary to sustain numerous soil functions (Franzluebbers, 2002). According to Waste concern compost standard OM was optimum in studied sludge. The quality and quantity of organic matter is a central factor in determining fertilizer quality. The nitrogen content is relatively high compared to other element may be due to use of azo dye and biological treatment unit in production process. Standard (WCCS) 10-25% 0.5-4.0% 0.5-1.5% 1.0-3.0% 6.0-8.5

Total Nitrogen
The average content of total nitrogen of sludge was 7.57 %. The highest content of total nitrogen (8.5 %) was found in sample 1 and the lowest content of total nitrogen (6.77 %) was found in sample 6. The content of total nitrogen in studied sludge sample was within the WCCS limit (Table4). Nitrogen promotes rapid growth, increases leaf size and quality, hastens crop maturity and promotes fruits and seed development. Nitrogen is a constituent of amino acids, which are required to synthesize proteins and other related compound's ,it plays a role in almost all plants metabolic processes. Crop response to fertilization with nitrogen (Urea) is generally very prompt, depending on stage of plant growth, rainfall and temperature (Ray, 1999). N was within suitable limit to make Organic fertilizer from sludge.

Total Phosphorus
Present study found that the average content of total phosphorus of sludge was 0.52 %. The highest content of total phosphorus (0.60%) was found in sample 2 and the lowest was found in sample 5 (0.45%). The content of total phosphorus in studied sludge sample was within the WCCS limit (Table4). Phosphorus (P) content of studied sludge is within range, can be allowed to use as raw material of organic fertilizer by considering the status of phosphorus. Long-term application of fertilizers containing phosphorus usually increases the water soluble and available P of soil and at the same time may result in P accumulation in soil (Mohammadiet al., 2009).

Potassium
The average content of potassium of sludge 0.05 % was observed from the study. The highest content of potassium (0.07 %) was found in sample 6 as well as the lowest content of potassium (0.02 %) was found in sample 5.The content of potassium in studied sludge sample was within the WCCS limit (Table4). Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient for plants. Potassium is associated with movement of water, nutrients and carbohydrates in plant tissue and Sulfur (S) is responsible for synthesis of amino acids required to synthesize proteins, also required for production of chlorophyll and utilization of phosphorus and other essential nutrients (Ray, 1999). The content of K and Sulfur (S) were very low compared to the standard. If K is deficient or not supplied in adequate amounts, growth is stunted and yields are reduced (Olson et al., 1987).

pH
The average pH value of studied sample was 8.28 which indicates the slights acidic condition. pH is the term used universally to express the intensity of acidic or alkaline condition of medium. It is the measure of hydrogen ion activity. The pH was within the range preferred by most soil bacteria (Brady, 2002). The optimum pH range for methanogenic bacteria is between 6 to 8 (Usamaet al. 2007).

Conclusion
Cr was found within the limits of Bangladesh govt. ranges in uncontaminated soil and Zn was almost within the limits. Cu was more than the permissible limits. In terms of organic matters and total Phosphorus, they were found within the limits of WCCS. Total Nitrogen was detected higher than the WCCS limit and Potassium was below limit. pH was found acceptable within limits. This properties are needed to be analyzed further with a little or even more mixture of nutrients for plants to produce organic manure. This is a theoretical hypothesis. This hypothesis is needed further practical work by producing sample manures form sludge of textile industry. Further study is needed to draw a generalized characteristics of sludge and a proper guideline to mix nutrients if needed.