Bio-solids Application for Improving Soil
Fertility and Crop  Production  in Jordan
 

Bio-solids Studies in Jordan:WHY?

  • About 270,000 m3 of bio-solids generated annually in Jordan in addition to 200,000m3 accumulated at As-samra treatment plant.

  • No available systematic data on bio-solids quality.

  • Lack of adequate local regulations for the utilization of bio-solids.

  • Generated bio-solids is being dealt with in an improper manner.

  • No definite strategies for utilizing bio-solids beneficially.

 

Project Objectives

  • To obtain systematic data on bio-solids quality.

  • To evaluate impacts of bio-solids application on soil properties and crop yield and quality based on field-pilot experiments.

  • To recommend appropriate bio-solids application procedures and rates that are suitable to local conditions.

  • To modify the Jordanian regulations of bio-solids land application.
 

Bio-solids Characterization

Wadi Mousa (Dewatered)

JUST (Liquid)
Wadi Hassan (Dewatered)
Parameter

84

2.7

85

TS (%)

4.21

6.88

3.81

TKN (%)

1.10

1.58

1.05

T-P (%)

37.5

416

23.3

Pb (mg/kg D.W)

1146

4110

2.69

Zn (mg/kg D.W)

N.D

N.D

2.69

Co (mg/kg D.W)

36.7

386

49.8

Cr (mg/kg D.W)

3.93E+02

1.06E+04

8.91E+03

TFCC (MPN/gm)

 

A bio-solids sampling and analysis program was designed to assess quality of bio-solids generated at different treatment plants over a one-year period. Results revealed that:

  • Pollutants levels are well below the concentration limits of the US EPA and the Jordanian regulations.

  • Generated bio-solids is of class (B) according to the US EPA due to relatively high levels of TFCC.
 
 Bio-solids Land Application (2004/2005)

Crop Measurements

  • Increase in straw yield, grain yield and biological yield for different bio-solids treatments over the control and chemical fertilizer.

 
 
   

Plant Analysis

 

  • Bio-solids application increased significantly macro-nutrients levels in barley.

  • No significant impacts on micro-nutrients concentrations were observed.

 

Cu(mg/kg) Straw    Grain

Zn(mg/kg) Straw    Grain

P(%)
Straw Grain

N(%)
Straw    Grain
Treatment (Ton/ha)

6.53

5.42

3.14

19.1

3.14

0.032

1.500

0.275

0

7.04

5.60

32.10

19.4

32.10

0.036

1.450

0.330

2

7.94

6.67

31.60

13.4

31.60

0.039

1.625

0.360

4

7.38

6.62

32.30

9.5

32.30

0.040

1.525

0.385

6

7.67

7.12

34.10

8.7

34.10

0.048

1.625

0.500

8

7.31

7.20

30.00

9.0

30.00

0.038

1.525

0.490

Chemical Fertilizer
 
   

Soil Analysis

 

  • An increase in organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) was observed.

  • Bio-solids application slightly increased micro-nutrients concentrations in soil.

 

 

 

Major Benefits
  • Built institutional capacity in bio-solids reuse fields.
  • Provided scientific and technical assistance to improve labs procedures and methods for bio-solids analysis.
  • Provided tools to upgrade the Jordanian Standards for bio-solids reuse in agriculture.
 

Planned Activities for year (2)
  • Bio-solids reuse application study (year 2).
  • Development of improved technology for bio-solids treatment.
  • Application of treated bio-solids to land irrigated with reclaimed wastewater at Wadi Mousa.
  • Management practices for sludge and bio-solids in Jordan.
  • Bio-solids risk assessment and standards development methods.
  • Modeling bio-solids treatment in Jordan.
 

Work should continue to assess and follow up medium and long-term impacts of bio-solids application and to reach to comprehensive and adequate approach for practicing bio-solids application in Jordan.

 
www.usaid.gov www.rss.gov.jo www.brdp.gov www.ialc.org www.arizona.edu
 

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