Potential of sewage sludge application in Mediterranean agricultural soils: case of Šibenik region, Croatia

master's thesis

• Author: Vito Horvatić
• Mentor: Marija Romić (mentor)
• Committee member: Marija Romić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Milan Poljak (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Monika Zovko (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture; (Soil Amelioration); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2019-09-20, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract

The main subject of this thesis is the evaluation of the agricultural land capacity of Šibensko-kninska County for sewage sludge application, with the aim of solving a problem of its excessive accumulation on the wastewater purification plants. The evaluation is based on legislation, which determines procedures and conditions when dealing with sludge, which is going to be applied on agricultural land, and on dynamic disposal possibilities of sewage sludge on agricultural land depending on land pedological and geochemical suitability. Šibensko-kninska County map, pedological characteristics map, agricultural land use map and map of interpolation of potentially toxic elements were produced in order to assess the possibility of sludge application to agricultural land. The agricultural area that could be used for the application of municipal sludge as fertilizer has been determined after the implementation of sludge regulation. Out of the total area of Šibensko-kinska County, agricultural area makes only 10% (25735.8 ha) out of which approximately only one fourth (6064.46 ha) is adequate for application of municipal sludge. The application of sludge is conditioned by the use of agricultural land, soil characteristics, and the environment, therefore it can be limited or completely banned. Furthermore, land resources are very limited for application according to criteria prescribed by regulations.

Abstract (english)

Glavna tema ovog rada je procijeniti kapacitete poljoprivrednih površina Šibensko-kninske županije za primjenu komunalnog mulja s ciljem rješavanja problema njegove akumulacije na postrojenjima za pročišćavanje otpadnih voda. Procjena se bazira na zakonodavstvu koje određuje uvjete postupanja s muljevima kada se oni odlažu na poljoprivredne površine te na mogućnosti dinamičkog odlaganja komunalnog mulja na poljoprivredno zemljište ovisno o pogodnosti zemljišta i njegovim pedološkim i geokemijskim karakteristikama. Za potrebe procjene primjene mulja, izrađene su tematske karte Šibensko-kninske županije: pedološka karta, karta načina korištenja poljoprivrednog zemljišta, karte pedoloških značajki te karte interpolacija potencijalno toksičnih elemenata koji predstavljaju moguću opasnost kada se mulj koristi u poljoprivredi. Nakon provedene analize pogodnosti poljoprivrednog zemljišta za odlaganje otpadnog mulja slijedeći važeću zakonsku regulativu, utvrđene su poljoprivredne površine koje bi bile pogodne za navedenu praksu. Od ukupne površine Šibensko-kninske županije, 10% odnosno 25735.8 ha su poljoprivredne površine, a od toga je za primjenu komunalnog mulja pogodna samo približno četvrtina zemljišta odnosno 6064.46 ha. Primjena mulja je uvjetovana načinom korištenja poljoprivrednog zemljišta, značajkama tla i okolišu te stoga može biti ograničena ili u potpunosti zabranjena. Prema zakonskim uvjetima postoje vrlo ograničene zemljišne mogućnosti za primjenu komunalnog mulja na poljoprivredno zemljište Šibensko-kninske županije.

• Keywords: agricultural land; sewage sludge; legislation; mapping; laboratory analysis; soil characteristics; potentially toxic elements
• Keywords (croatian): poljoprivredno zemljište; komunalni mulj; zakonodavstvo; kartiranje; laboratorijske analize; značajke tla; potencijalno toksični elementi
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:247560
• Study programme: Title: Environment, Agriculture and Resource Management; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: Master of Engineering in Agriculture (Master of Engineering in Agriculture)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Access restricted to students and staff of home institution
• Created on: 2019-11-19 09:21:10