Recommended method for pretreatment of sludge samples for stable C and N isotope studies
Artykuł w czasopiśmie
MNiSW
0
brak dyscyplin
| Status: | |
| Autorzy: | Jaromin-Gleń Katarzyna, Polakowski Cezary, Pytlak Anna, Majerek Dariusz, Bieganowski Andrzej |
| Dyscypliny: | |
| Aby zobaczyć szczegóły należy się zalogować. | |
| Rok wydania: | 2026 |
| Wersja dokumentu: | Elektroniczna |
| Język: | angielski |
| Numer czasopisma: | 2 |
| Wolumen/Tom: | 14 |
| Numer artykułu: | 121927 |
| Impact Factor: | 7,2 |
| Efekt badań statutowych | NIE |
| Materiał konferencyjny: | NIE |
| Publikacja OA: | NIE |
| Abstrakty: | angielski |
| The importance of robust knowledge in supporting wastewater treatment (WWT) management is expected to grow as global water resources become increasingly constrained. Stable isotope analysis is a powerful and widely applied technique in environmental engineering, including WWT research. However, the literature shows significant variety in sludge sample pretreatment techniques, frequently insufficiently detailed, and analytical approaches, even across similar methodologies. The variability in pretreatment methods may induce isotope fractionation, thereby limiting data interpretation, yet these effects have not been systematically compared to date. In this study, six sludge pretreatment methods commonly reported in the literature – drying at 30°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 105°C, autoclaving, and freeze-drying – were systematically evaluated using samples collected from different stages of a municipal WWTP process line. The influence of pretreatment on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) was found to be subtle and complex, but frequently non-negligible. Both thermal drying and autoclaving altered δ13C and δ15N values relative to freeze-drying. Based on experimental evidence, freeze-drying is recommended as the most reliable pretreatment method, together with a standardized sequence of preparatory steps. This work provides the first systematic comparison of literature-based pretreatment approaches for sludge isotope analysis and contributes to the advancement of standardized methodologies, thereby improving data accuracy and inter-study comparability. Furthermore, the results highlight the risks associated with comparing isotope data derived from different pretreatment protocols and sampling points. Correction value for each pretreatment method and sampling location within the investigated WWTP are also proposed. |
