Electron microscopy studies of municipal sludge contaminated marine clay

Abstract

The effects of municipal sludge on physico-chemical and microstructure of laboratory prepared marine clay sediments were investigated. Experiments were conducted on artificially prepared marine sediments to investigate this phenomenon. Certain mechanisms and correlations between the physico-chemical properties such as specific surface area and cation exchange capacity and the percentage of sludge were established. These Correlations were confirmed with the observed microstructure and fabric features of the municipal sludge contaminated marine clay specimens. Addition of sludge reduced the specific surface area but increased cation exchange capacity of the clay mixtures. Sludge agglomerates and glues the clay particles into domains such that these particles appear to be cemented or bound together.