Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

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What is the term for the nutrient-rich solids produced as a byproduct of municipal sewage treatment?

Hazardous waste
Suspended Solids
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Sludge

The correct answer is: Sludge

The term for the nutrient-rich solids produced as a byproduct of municipal sewage treatment is sludge. During the wastewater treatment process, organic matter and microorganisms settle out of the water and form a thick, viscous substance known as sludge. This material contains a significant amount of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be beneficial for soil amendment when treated and processed appropriately. Sludge can also undergo further treatment to reduce pathogens and stabilize the organic material, making it suitable for use as fertilizers or in biogas production. The other options do not accurately describe this byproduct. Hazardous waste pertains to materials that pose a danger to health or the environment, which is not specific to municipal sewage treatment. Suspended solids refer to particles that remain suspended in water and do not necessarily indicate the nutrient-rich characteristic of sludge. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water, but it does not describe the solid byproduct produced during sewage treatment.