Use of arsenic contaminated sludge in making ornamental bricks

Arsenic contaminated sludge can be substantially found from the treatment of arsenic contaminated ground water. Lake of proper management and reuse of this sludge can create further environmental problem as there is probability of mixing with soil and water. In this paper, effort is taken in order to use of such waste. Here, effectiveness of using this sludge during the process of making ornamental brick has been analyzed and justified. The detailed study was made upon the suitability of sludge in making bricks. Results of different tests indicate that sludge proportion is the key factor for determining the quality of ornamental bricks/tiles. The compressive strength of ornamental bricks mutually decreases with increase of sludge proportion. This study showed that arsenic contaminated sludge could be used safely up to 4 % for making ornamental bricks. Because upper than this limit, the quality of bricks or tiles may be fallen considerably.