Due to their ability of binding heavy metals and their outstanding properties of adsorption of liphophilic substances, humic acids and their derivatives can be used in sludge disposal. Even under conditions of mobility of heavy metals and liphobilic substances and of aluminium as a toxic substance, humic acids prevent the release of these components from sludge.
Because of their novel surface and pore features, humates can be applied in the extraction of components in hazardous waste. They can be used in conjunction with other organocolloids, such as organoclays, as a potential containment material in earthen dike areas around certain types of liquid storage tanks. Here they have the potential of assisting in controlling seepage of accidental discharges in earthen dike areas.
The dried sludge containing humic acids can be used as energy carrier in thermic processes such as waste combustion, waste vaporization, waste pyrolyse and as an inflammable additive in other combustion works.
Sludge containing humic acids can also be utilized in agriculture, much better than common sludges as the coagulated humic acids gives the sludge and indirectly to the soil a friable, earthy nature. This property improves the aeration and the water-retention capacity of soils and their resistance against wind erosion. The permeability of soils for nitrate, ammonium and biocides is also decreased.
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