ISSN:
1574-695X
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The application of sewage sludge to agricultural land is widely used in France. To determine the impact of sludge treatments, concentrations of Listeria sp., Listeria monocytogenes and faecal indicators were monitored in five types of sludge from three sewage treatment plants in Angers (France) and its suburbs over a 1-year period. On the whole, bacteria were reduced in numbers through sludge treatments. Apart from liming, which leads to reduced levels of bacteria below detection limits, other sludge treatments did not eliminate Listeria sp. and faecal indicators. Listeria sp. and L. monocytogenes were found respectively in 87% and 73% of dewatered sludges and in 96% and 80% of sludges stored in tanks. Concentrations of L. monocytogenes, ranging from 0.15 to 20 MPN g−1 dry matter in dewatered sludge and from 1 to 240 MPN g−1 dry matter in sludge stored in tanks, did not show seasonal variations. Spreading of sanitised sludge onto agricultural land results in the addition of 106–108L. monocytogenes per hectare per year, which may contribute to the increase in the dissemination of this pathogenic species in the environment.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0928-8244(02)00443-1
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