According to researchers at the Southern Federal University, about 200 billion tons of wastewater are generated annually in the world. They contain heavy metals, toxic organic substances and pathogenic microbes. The routine disposal of such waste only exacerbates environmental problems.

Scientists at the D.I. Ivanovsky SFedU Academy of Biology and Biotechnology have created a technology that turns sewage sludge into a special sorbent (absorber) using the method of low-temperature pyrolysis (heating without oxygen access), which minimizes harmful emissions. This sorbent is then applied to soils contaminated with carcinogens (especially dangerous substances from industrial emissions, petroleum products and fuel combustion).

According to the researchers, the new method reduces the content of dangerous compounds in the soil by almost half (by 48 percent), while increasing its fertile properties.

"The practical significance of the proposed solution is multifaceted. First, we clean polluted soils, indirectly improving the quality of agricultural products. Secondly, sorbents are produced from waste, which in itself is a huge environmental problem. Huge territories are removed for the disposal of sewage sludge, and this waste is very dangerous in terms of the content of pathogenic microorganisms," said Svetlana Sushkova, head of the SFedU Intelligent Agroecosystems Research laboratory.

According to her, the new sorbent increases the moisture-retaining capacity of the soil, enriches it with nutrients and is able to potentially increase yields by 10-15 percent in the arid southern regions.

"Similar work exists abroad, but our technology is adapted specifically for Russian conditions. We work with local waste and get a unique product," commented Svetlana Sushkova.

In the course of the research, the scientists used the method of low-temperature pyrolysis. According to them, toxic gas emissions have been minimized.

At this stage, SFedU specialists are faced with the task of implementing the developed technology and popularizing it in cooperation with relevant ministries and departments, as well as industrial partners.

The research was carried out with the support of the strategic academic leadership program "Priority 2030" at Southern Federal University.

The results of the study are published in the journal Environmental Research.