Changes in macronutrient content in sludge as affected by sources and seasons

MAHIPAL CHOUDHARY; SIBA PRASAD DATTA; MAHESH CHAND MEENA; B S DWIVEDI; DEBASIS GOLUI; VINOD KUMAR SHARMA; VIVEK KUMAR TRIVEDI; ARUNAVA PATTANAYAK; K C PATEL

doi:10.56093/ijas.v91i1.110931

Authors

MAHIPAL CHOUDHARY ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
SIBA PRASAD DATTA ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
MAHESH CHAND MEENA ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
B S DWIVEDI ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
DEBASIS GOLUI ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
VINOD KUMAR SHARMA ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
VIVEK KUMAR TRIVEDI ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
ARUNAVA PATTANAYAK ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
K C PATEL ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v91i1.110931

Keywords:

Chemical properties, Macronutrients, Organic carbon, Seasons, Sludge

Abstract

An attempt has been made in assessing variability of macronutrient content in sludge as affected by sources and seasons at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. For this purpose, sludge samples were collected from eight different sewage treatment plants (STPs) located in and around Delhi (CP: Coronation Pillar, DG: Delhi Gate Nalla, KSP: Keshopur, NIL: Narella, NLT: Nilothi, OKH: Okhla, PPK: Pappankallan and RTL: Rithala) in 2018-19. Results indicated that sludge samples collected from different sources were acidic in nature and varied from 6.34 to 6.65 with mean of 6.44, and electrical conductivity of sludge ranged from 2.95 to 5.74 dS/m with mean of 4.17 dS/m. Sludge generated at different (STPs) of Delhi were rich in total carbon (TC) (10.5-35.1%) and macronutrients, viz. nitrogen (N) (1.21-2.64%) and phosphorus (P) (0.95-1.84%); but the potassium (K) content (0.16-0.32%) was much lower. The corresponding mean values of TC, N, P and K in sludge samples across the sources and seasons were 20.4, 1.98, 1.35 and 0.24%, respectively. Seasonal occurrence pattern of macronutrient, i.e. N, P, and K were higher in sludge collected during summer followed by winter and rainy season. Sludge can be a potential source of plant nutrients, particularly in the face of rise in the price of NPK fertilizers.

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