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Mar 10, 2024Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Assessing the Performance of Jatropha Curcas and Moringa oleifera Conditioners Towards Improving Fecal Sludge Treatment for Agricultural Purpose
Abstract
Moringa oleifera (MO) and Jatropha Curcas (JC) conditioners have been proposed as alternative solutions to replace chemical conditioners for fecal sludge (FS) treatment. However, their effectiveness in treating FS for safe agricultural use has not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of FS treated with Moringa oleifera and Jatropha Curcas conditioners for agricultural use. Physicochemical parameters Indexes, salinity and sodium hazard levels (Wilcox Diagram analysis), and removal efficiency of nutrients and pathogens were evaluated. Qualitative experiments were conducted using dewatering treatment chambers containing untreated control FS samples, FS treated with Moringa oleifera and Jatropha Curcas conditioners at the University of Dar es Salaam Water Laboratory. A total of 60 dry sludge samples and 70 leachate samples were analyzed. Results showed E. coli levels were reduced in FS from 7 ± 2∗109 CFU/100ml in control samples to 2 ± 1∗104 CFU/100ml in MO-treated and 6 ± 1∗102 CFU/100ml in JC-treated samples. Furthermore, the salinity-risk level of leachate from the JC chamber was categorized as medium and low risk, while leachate from the MO chamber exhibited high, medium and low risk levels. Overall, while both conditioners enable suitability for agricultural use, JC was more effective than MO in treating FS. These findings indicate incorporation of JC should be considered to improve FS treatment for safer agricultural use.
