FRACTIONATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER DERIVED FROM SEWAGE SLUDGE AND COMPOSTED SLUDGE

Dissolved organic matter in sludge. Using a macroreticular resin, soluble organics extracted from sludge were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in two different sludge: sewage and composted sludge. Acid fraction was between 73 and 78 % and included hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. Ratio of these fractions was a function of sludge preparation. Some chemical groups (aromatic acids, phenol, and carboxyl polyhydroxyl) were identified and relative ratio was quantified. Conclusions show that sewage sludge in soil has an ability to reduce metal ion adsorption capacity that sludge compost.