Author(s)

S. N. Al-Bahry, I. Y. Mahmoud, S. K. Al-Musharafi

1Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman 2Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman 3Department of Applied Biotechnology, Sur College of Applied Sciences, Sur, Oman.

Experiments were conducted on the survival rate of fecal coliform after spreading the sewage sludge for desiccation on sludge beds in an open field throughout the year. The ambient temperature, humidity, sunlight intensity and solar radiation were measured during the period of sludge desiccation. The maximum average temperature, sunlight intensity and solar radiation were recorded throughout the year. During May and August the minimum microbial counts were recorded after four weeks of sludge desiccation. Relative humidity did not have significant effect on survival rate. The minimum microbial counts were taken after four weeks of sludge drying. When the sludge was mixed with three different media, the maximum count of fecal coliform was presented when soil mixed with sludge and irrigated with treated sewage effluent (TSE). When soil mixed with sludge irrigated with well water, the number of fecal coliform count dropped significantly. The minimum count occurred when compost was used instead of sludge. This was a clear indication that the source of contamination was from sludge and was mostly contributed by the TSE irrigation. The use of dried sludge after four weeks of treatment had the lowest fecal coliform count
and was safe to be used as fertilizer for farming. Oman is located in a semi-equatorial belt with arid environmental conditions which are ideal for elimination of microbial pathogens. Thus, sludge desiccation in such environmental conditions, specifically during the hot months of the year, is perfect for such practice.

Sewage Sludge; Treated Sewage Effluent; Fecal Coliform; Viability Rate; Environmental Factors

Al-Bahry, S. , Mahmoud, I. and Al-Musharafi, S. (2014) The Effect of Physical Factors on Fecal Coliform Viability Rate in Sewage Sludge. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 2, 9-13. doi: 10.4236/gep.2014.22002.