Pollution hazards of heavy metals in sewage sludge from four wastewater treatment plants in Nanchang, China

The pollution hazards of heavy metals were investigated in sewage sludge collected from four wastewater treatment plants in Nanchang City, China, including Honggutan (HGT), Chaoyang (CY), Qingshanhu (QSH) and Xianghu (XH). Contamination/risk characteristics of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni) were evaluated based on their leachable content, total content and chemical speciation. The sewage sludge from QSH contained higher total contents of heavy metals (except Pb) than those from HGT, XH and CY. The total contents of Cd and Ni were mostly beyond standard. Cu, Cr and Pb were predominantly present in potential effect and stable fractions. Zn and Ni showed higher bioavailability. Cd presented roughly uniform distribution into four fractions. The leaching contents of heavy metals almost exceeded the threshold values, especially for Zn and Ni. The potential ecological risk indexes of heavy metals in sewage sludge were 4263.34-7480.26, indicating very high risks. Cd contamination is the major concern.