Rethink biosolids: Risks and opportunities in the circular economy

作者：Jinkai Xue, Willy Verstraete, Bing‐Jie Ni, John P. Giesy, Guneet Kaur, Daqian Jiang, Edward A. McBean, Zhenyu Li, Hyeong‐Moo Shin, Feng Xiao, Liu Yang, Jinyong Liu, Leah Chibwe, Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng, Yoshitaka Uchida · 发表于：Chemical Engineering Journal · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.cej.2025.161749 · 被引用次数：26 · 研究领域：Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Sustainable Supply Chain Management、Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

• Biosolids are not suitable for land applications due to the embedded emerging pollutants. • Biosolids offer limited nutrient value in relation to society’s overall nutrient demand. • Innovative valorization strategies are worth exploring, including carbon capture and storage. • Holistic life-cycle assessments are needed for these novel biosolids management strategies. Biosolids are a byproduct of wastewater treatment with potential value because of their rich nutrient, organic matter, and mineral content. However, due to the environmental and public health risks posed by contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), micro-/nano-plastics (MNPs), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), the conventional practice of applying biosolids to land, especially on agricultural lands, can be unsustainable. These contaminants can accumulate in soil, disrupt ecosystems, and pose long-term risks to food safety and human health. Through the lens of a circular economy, biosolids should be valorized through holistic and sustainable approaches that prioritize both environmental protection and resource recovery. Advanced technologies, such as anaerobic membrane bioreactors, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal liquefaction, can extract valuable resources, such as energy and bioplastics, while also destroying harmful contaminants. In addition, biosolids and biosolids-derived biochar hold untapped potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS), offering a sustainable alternative to la...