A Bibliometric Perspective on the Evolution of Research in Sludge Management: Opportunities and Challenges
- Aniyikaiye, Elizabeth Tolulope, Ikudayisi, Akinola
- Authors: Aniyikaiye, Elizabeth Tolulope , Ikudayisi, Akinola
- Date: 2025
- Subjects: Bibliometric , Research trend , Sewage sludge , Sustainable development goals , SwoT analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/15858 , vital:80402 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i6.10011
- Description: Conventionally regarded as a liability, sewage sludge (SS) continues to accumulate due to rapid industrialisation and global population growth. However, the conversion of SS into energy and nutrients presents a promising alternative for sustainable waste management. Drawing from the Web of Science database and using VOSviewer for bibliometric mapping, this review investigates the research trends, intellectual structure, and collaborative networks in sludge management over the past decade. It further evaluates the strengths, particularly in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with current sludge management practices. The analysis reveals that key emerging research themes include microbial diversity in activated sludge, biological treatment processes and their limitations, and thermochemical conversion for energy and nutrient recovery. Future research is encouraged to focus on innovative remediation approaches for emerging contaminants and microplastics, and the development of scalable technologies for the commercial production of energy, nutrients, and value added chemical products from SS. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of sludge management research and provides critical insights to inform policy direction, investment priorities, and academic engagement. It also advocates for increased financial support, stakeholder incentives, and collaborative partnerships, noting that substantial progress toward achieving multiple SDGs can be made through strategic investment in sludge management initiatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025
- Authors: Aniyikaiye, Elizabeth Tolulope , Ikudayisi, Akinola
- Date: 2025
- Subjects: Bibliometric , Research trend , Sewage sludge , Sustainable development goals , SwoT analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/15858 , vital:80402 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i6.10011
- Description: Conventionally regarded as a liability, sewage sludge (SS) continues to accumulate due to rapid industrialisation and global population growth. However, the conversion of SS into energy and nutrients presents a promising alternative for sustainable waste management. Drawing from the Web of Science database and using VOSviewer for bibliometric mapping, this review investigates the research trends, intellectual structure, and collaborative networks in sludge management over the past decade. It further evaluates the strengths, particularly in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with current sludge management practices. The analysis reveals that key emerging research themes include microbial diversity in activated sludge, biological treatment processes and their limitations, and thermochemical conversion for energy and nutrient recovery. Future research is encouraged to focus on innovative remediation approaches for emerging contaminants and microplastics, and the development of scalable technologies for the commercial production of energy, nutrients, and value added chemical products from SS. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of sludge management research and provides critical insights to inform policy direction, investment priorities, and academic engagement. It also advocates for increased financial support, stakeholder incentives, and collaborative partnerships, noting that substantial progress toward achieving multiple SDGs can be made through strategic investment in sludge management initiatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025
Benefits of the Expanded Public Works Programme in South Africa: A Direct Stakeholder’s Perception
- Boateng, Sakyiwa, Tatira, Benjamin
- Authors: Boateng, Sakyiwa , Tatira, Benjamin
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: Built enviroment , Poverty , Socioeconomics , South Africa , Sustainable development goals
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/14677 , vital:79710 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1003091
- Description: There are several socio-economic challenges ravaging the continent of Africa and other developing countries. Among these issues is unemployment, which is directly linked to the high crime rate, poverty, and other societal ills in South Africa. To develop sought-after skills and to facilitate gainful employment toward the goal of poverty alleviation in the country, several programmes are initiated by the South African government. One of the various interventions is the expanded public works programme (EPWP). This paper is aimed at identifying the beneficial factors of the EPWP in South Africa from the stakeholders’ point of view. A quantitative research approach was employed in the study. Data collection was achieved through the duo of literature review and the use of a structured closed-ended questionnaire survey. The data from the returned survey was analyzed using descriptive and exploratory factor analysis. The findings showed that employment creation, strengthened community participation, infrastructure improvement, skills enhancement of participants, and provision of social security are the major benefits of the EPWP. Continuous revising and re-conceptualizing of the EPWP operations are recommended to maximize and sustain the benefits of the programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Boateng, Sakyiwa , Tatira, Benjamin
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: Built enviroment , Poverty , Socioeconomics , South Africa , Sustainable development goals
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/14677 , vital:79710 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1003091
- Description: There are several socio-economic challenges ravaging the continent of Africa and other developing countries. Among these issues is unemployment, which is directly linked to the high crime rate, poverty, and other societal ills in South Africa. To develop sought-after skills and to facilitate gainful employment toward the goal of poverty alleviation in the country, several programmes are initiated by the South African government. One of the various interventions is the expanded public works programme (EPWP). This paper is aimed at identifying the beneficial factors of the EPWP in South Africa from the stakeholders’ point of view. A quantitative research approach was employed in the study. Data collection was achieved through the duo of literature review and the use of a structured closed-ended questionnaire survey. The data from the returned survey was analyzed using descriptive and exploratory factor analysis. The findings showed that employment creation, strengthened community participation, infrastructure improvement, skills enhancement of participants, and provision of social security are the major benefits of the EPWP. Continuous revising and re-conceptualizing of the EPWP operations are recommended to maximize and sustain the benefits of the programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
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