Seasonal Monitoring of Cu and Zn in the Sewage Sludge of Malatya Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant

In this study, Cu and Zn concentrations were monitored for 12 months in sewage sludge from the Malatya Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant (MABWTP). The obtained data were evaluated both monthly and seasonally and compared with the standard values given in the Regulation on the Use of Domestic and Urban Sewage Sludge in Soil. The highest Cu and Zn concentrations in sewage sludge from the MABWTP were 181.74±9.0 mg kg-1 and 653.8±32.6 mg kg-1 in September and the lowest Cu and Zn concentrations were 103.69±5.18 mg kg-1 and 436.2±21.8 mg kg-1 in December and March. The highest concentrations of Cu and Zn in the sewage sludge from MABWTP were found to be 167.21±8.3 mg kg-1 and 611.80±30.5 mg kg-1 in the summer and autumn, and the lowest Cu and Zn concentrations were 109.39±5.4 mg kg-1 and 440.13±22 mg kg-1 in the winter season. When the concentrations of Cu and Zn in the MABWTP treatment sludge were examined, it was found that they were lower than the limit values given in the regulation. As a result, it was determined that sewage sludge taken from MABWTP could be used for soil in terms of Cu and Zn concentrations