13C solid-state NMR assessment of decomposition pattern during co-composting of sewage sludge and green wastes

The fate of organic matter during composting is poorly understood. Therefore, we analysed composts of sewage sludges and green wastes (44 samples representative of 11 stages of biodegradation) by conventional chemical methods: pH, humic (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) content, C, N and organic matter (OM) content, and by ¹³C CPMAS NMR to assess the decomposition process of the organic matter. Chemical changes clearly occurred in two phases: first, decomposition of OM during the first 2 months was characterized by decreased C/N ratios, OM content and increased pH; and second, a humification process with increased HA/FA ratios. NMR spectrum changes confirmed this pattern, with an increase in aromaticity and a decrease in alkyl C. A decrease of syringyl to guaiacyl ratio (S/G), a sign of lignin transformation, also indicated humification during composting. NMR spectroscopic properties of composts were also studied by means of principal components analysis (PCA) and revealed changes according to the degree of compost maturation. The factorial map presents a chronological distribution of composts on the two first principal components. The influences of eight chemical factors on the PCA ordination of composts as monitored by their evolution by NMR were also studied by multivariate analyses. PCA clearly indicated two phases: the rapid decomposition of organic matter followed by the formation of humic‐like substances. The first phase, that is ‘new’ composts, was strongly correlated with OM contents, pH and C/N ratios whereas the second phase, corresponding to ‘old’ compost, was correlated with pH, HA content and HA/FA ratio. These results confirm that knowledge of the formation of humic substances is indispensable to suitable monitoring of the composting process.     

Chemical,Physical and Biological Criteria for Maturity in Composts for Organic Farming

Properties of organic farming composts were examined during the composting process: pH, electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, total N content, NH₄₊ content, NO_3?content, ash content, and organic matter content. In addition to these properties the respiration rate, microbial population counts, hydrolysis of Fluorescein Diacetate (FDA) and the activity of the enzyme amidase were studied. Composts at several stages of maturity were incubated in soil, and their N mineralization rates were measured. The end of the thermophilic stage was characterized by irreversible decrease in pile temperature to under 55°C, followed by stabilization of the chemical properties. This stage in the composting process is also characterized by decrease in CO₂ evolution rate, changes in microbial populations and specific patterns in FDA hydrolysis and amidase activity. Based on this evidence, we suggest that biological parameters can be considered as indicators for compost maturity.     

Characterization of Organic Matter in Compost Produced with Municipal Solid Wastes: An Italian Approach

Stabilization of the organic matter of a static pile of compost from municipal solid wastes (MSW) under a forced-pressure ventilation composting system was followed for 55 days during winter season. The materials were analyzed according to the official methodologies required by Italian regulations regarding the quality of composts from MSW. The stabilization process of the organic matter was monitored using both the degree of humification (DH), i.e. the ratio between the humified fractions (HA + FA) and the total extractable carbon (TEC), and the electrofocusing technique (EF). The DH increased steadily in compost during stabilization process and converged asymptotically at the end of the period of composting. The EF analyses of the organic extracts of compost from MSW showed a definite trend in the humification process and confirmed the actual evolution of the organic matter composted.     

Evaluation of the stabilization level of pig organic waste: Influence of humic‐like compounds

Abstract

The evolution of the organic matter during the maturation of solid samples of pig sludges and pig manure composted with straw was followed. A sample of pig sludge about 15 years old also was characterized for comparison. The organic matter of the composts and sludges was extracted and the humic (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) were separated. The organic carbon in the total extract (TEC) in the fulvic fraction and in the humic fraction was determined in order to evaluate the stabilization level of the organic matter using some humification parameters. The nature of the organic extract also was evaluated by characterization with analytical isoelectric focusing (IEF). The results confirm that the degree of humification (DH) decreases during the first period of maturation of the organic matter, because of the degradation of humic and fulvic‐like compounds contained into the raw organic materials, while then it increases progressively for all the maturation period. The data collected in this study confirm that the FA fraction could be the main cause of the lack of regularity in the trend of increasing DH as maturation progresses. The FA/TEC ratio infact decreases progressively for all the maturation period, while the HA/TEC ratio increases. The results obtained in the IEF characterization confirm the validity of this analytical technique. Moreover, the results do not appear to be affected by the presence of the humic‐like compounds. The presence of the bands focused at the higher pH values appear to be directly related to the stabilization of the organic material.     

Recycling of Two-Phase Olive-Mill Cake “Alperujo” by Co-composting with Animal Manures

The use of poultry manure or goat/sheep manure in the co-composting of the two-phase olive-mill cake “alperujo” (ALP) with olive leaf (OL) is compared by studying organic-matter mineralization and humification processes during composting and the characteristics of the end products. For this, two different piles (P1 and P2) were prepared using ALP with OL mixed with poultry manure (PM) and goat/sheep manure (GSM), respectively, and composted by the turned windrow composting system. Throughout the composting process, a number of parameters were monitored, such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), OM losses, total organic carbon (C_org), total nitrogen (N_t), C_org/N_t ratio, and the germination index (GI). In both piles, the temperature exceeded 55 °C for more than 2 weeks, which ensured maximum pathogen reduction. Organic-matter losses followed a first-order kinetic equation in both piles. The final composts presented a stabilized OM and absence of phytotoxins, as observed in the evolution and final values of the C_org/N_t ratio (C_org/N_t < 20) and the germination index (GI > 50 percent). Therefore, composting can be considered as an efficient treatment to recycle this type of waste, obtaining composts with suitable properties that can be safely used in agriculture.     

Carbon and nitrogen transformation during composting of sweet sorghum bagasse

Two types of compost, consisting of sweet sorghum bagasse with either sewage sludge or a mixture of pig slurry and poultry manure, were studied in a pilot plant using the Rutgers system. The total degradation of the piles as determined by the weight loss of organic matter during the bio-oxidative and maturation phases accounted for 64% of the organic matter applied and followed a first-order kinetic function. Concentrations of total and organic N increased during the composting process as the degradation of organic C compounds reduced the compost weight. Losses of N through NH₃ volatilization were low, particularly in the compost with sewage sludge due to pH values of <7.0 and the low temperatures reached in the compost during the first 2 weeks. The C:N ratio in the two composts decreased from 24.0 and 15.4 to values between 12 and 10. Increases in cation exchange capacity and in fulvic and humic acid-like C revealed that the organic matter had been humified during composting. The humification index, the C:N ratio, fulvic:humic acid-like C, and cation exchange capacity proved to be the most suitable parameters for assessing the maturity of these composts.     

Yard Waste Composting: Studies Using Different Mixes of Leaves and Grass in a Laboratory Scale System

Composting has become a widely used method of recycling yard wastes such as leaves and grass. However, very little information is available on the chemical changes that occur during the composting of different mixtures of leaves and grass. In this study, three different mixes of leaves and grass were composted at approximately 60% moisture in a temperature controlled laboratory scale system. The mixes, which consisted of all leaves (Mix 1); 2/3 leaves + 1/3 grass (Mix 2); and 1/3 leaves + 2/3 grass (Mix 3), had initial C:N ratios of 48, 30 and 22, respectively. The compost process was monitored by measuring the rate of CO₂ evolution, pH, stability, the degree of humification and changes in polysaccharide, carbon, nitrogen and organic matter content. Results showed that the greater the grass content of the mix, the higher the initial pH and the faster the rate of CO₂ evolution, organic matter loss and nitrogen loss. After 43 days of composting, Mixes 1, 2 and 3, lost, respectively 61%, 74% and 78% of the cellulose, 57%, 79% and 82% of the hemicellulose and 40%, 49% and 42% of the acid-insoluble organic matter. Humification indices and stability tests indicated that composts produced from the three mixes were well humified and stable.     

Thermal and Spectroscopic Characterization Of Composts From Municipal Solid Wastes

Six composts from municipal solid wastes (MSW) were sampled after composting times of 3, 7, 15, 45, 60 and 350 days and analyzed by chemical analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy in emission, excitation and synchronous scan modes, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, without carrying out any organic matter extraction. Thermal and spectroscopic techniques appeared to be powerful tools to investigate the evolution of MSW organic matter during composting, and provided evidence that the chemical transformations occurring in these heterogeneous materials yield products with molecular complexity and stability, similar to humic substances.     

Comparison of Three Commercial Carrier Ampholytes for Soil Science Applications in Isoelectric Focusing

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) has been used in soil science for identification of different matrices in organic fertilizers and assessment of stabilization of organic matter of soil and composts. Fundamental components for IEF analysis are carrier ampholytes; those used in soil science, ampholines, have not been produced since 2008, and IEF is not available for soil science any longer. We tested commercial ampholytes Pharmalyte and Bio-Lyte on extracts of organic matter of different soils and composts, compared the IEF profiles acquired with those of ampholines, and checked the quality of the information. Results showed that the IEF profiles acquired by Pharmalyte are poorly differentiated and of no use, whereas those produced by Bio-Lyte are well differentiated and provide information that can be interpreted like that of ampholines. Bio-Lyte appears to be the IEF carrier ampholyte that could replace ampholines and enable continued research in soil science through IEF.     

Compost Maturity Assessment Using Calorimetry,Spectroscopy and Chemical Analysis

This work is aimed at characterizing compost maturity and, organic matter transformation during this process, by the use of nondestructive spectroscopic and thermal techniques, together with some chemical analysis. Composting was conducted in a laboratory over a period of one year using the organic fraction of domestic wastes, fresh farmyard manure, spent coffee and sawdust as the raw materials. Samples were retired after different periods of composting and were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as by routine chemical parameters including temperature, pH, C/N, ash content and humic-like substances content. Results showed that in case of domestic wastes, spent coffee and farmyard manure, the C/N ratios, ash and humic acid content showed a typical high rate of change during the first 197 days of composting and tended to stabilize thereafter, probably as a result of the maturity of the produced composts. In contrast, sawdust underwent only a very limited transformation even after one year of composting. Thermoanalytical and spectroscopic data confirms these finding and gives useful and complementary information with respect to the structure, the heterogeneity and the relative stability of the compost products. In particular, as the decomposition proceeded, there was an increase in aromatic to aliphatic structure ratio and a decrease in the importance of peptide structures of composts. Besides, both the spectroscopic and the thermal behavior of compost samples, retired beyond 197 days of composting, tended to be regular, less dependent on the raw material and close to that characterizing mature composts, with the exception of sawdust samples. We concluded that the spectroscopic and thermal techniques used are complementary to one another and to chemical tests and could be a powerful and fast approach for the study of compost maturity.     

畜禽粪便堆肥溶解态有机质三维荧光光谱特征及Cu络合

畜禽粪便中溶解态有机质（DOM）易与Cu发生络合,从而促进其向土壤溶液和地表水体中迁移。该文对比分析堆肥前后猪粪和牛粪DOM三维荧光光谱特征变化,并通过荧光猝灭滴定法研究了堆肥对猪粪和牛粪中DOM与Cu络合的影响。研究发现,未经堆腐的猪粪和牛粪DOM中均存在较强的类蛋白荧光峰,包括类酪氨酸峰和类色氨酸峰;除了类蛋白峰,牛粪DOM中还出现了类腐殖质荧光峰。经过堆肥后,猪粪DOM中类酪氨酸峰和类色氨酸峰强度显著减弱,并在可见光激发区域出现类腐殖质峰;与猪粪堆肥类似,牛粪堆肥后类酪氨酸峰和类色氨酸峰也隐没不现,在紫外激发区域出现类腐殖质峰,同时可见光激发区的类腐殖质峰荧光强度减弱,位置发生红移。荧光猝灭试验结果显示,猪粪和牛粪堆肥后与Cu络合容量显著降低。因此,堆肥后改变了畜禽粪便DOM组成,生成大量胡敏酸和富里酸物质,从而降低畜禽粪便中DOM-Cu络合物的迁移性和生物可利用性。     

Evolution of organic matter and nitrogen during co-composting of olive mill wastewater with solid organic wastes

 Four olive mill wastewater (OMW) composts, prepared with three N-rich organic wastes and two different bulking agents, were studied in a pilot plant using the Rutgers system. Organic matter (OM) losses during composting followed a first-order kinetic equation in all the piles, the slowest being the OM mineralisation rate in the pile using maize straw (MS). The highest N losses through NH₃ volatilisation occurred in the mixtures which had a low initial C/N ratio and high pH values during the process. Such losses were reduced considerably when MS was used as the bulking agent instead of cotton waste (CW). N fixation activity increased during the bio-oxidative phase before falling during maturation. This N fixation capacity was higher in piles with a lower NH₄ ⁺-N concentration. Only the composts prepared with OMW, CW and poultry manure or sewage sludge reached water-soluble organic C (C_W) and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations and C_W/N_org and NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^– ratios within the established limits which indicate a good degree of compost maturity. Increases in the cation-exchange capacity, the percentage of humic acid-like C and the polymerisation ratio revealed that the OM had been humified during composting. The germination index indicated the reduction of phytotoxicity during composting. Received: 14 June 1999     

Comparative Assessment of Enzyme Activities and Characteristics during Composting of Two Types of Composts

Characteristics in composts were determined during composting of chitinous source-amended compost (Cscom) and no chitinous source-amended compost (Ncom). At the end of the composting, moisture content, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (T-N), and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) decreased in both the composts, whereas the phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) content increased. pH of the compost was adversely changed with electrical conductivity (EC). Enzyme activities declined until the end of composting except phosphatase. In the final-stage, Cscom has higher number of chitinolytic bacteria than in Ncom. One bacterium predominant was isolated and identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Growth of the plant pathogens were suppressed by Cscom and Ncom water extracts, with the suppression being higher in Cscom. Paenibacillus ehmensis, known for high antifungal potential, was isolated from Cscom. From our study, it can be concluded that amendment of chitin material improves the chemical, biological properties, and disease suppression ability of compost.     

Status of Biological Control of Plant Diseases with Composts

? Composts have the potential to provide biological control of plant diseases. Foliar as well as root pathogens may be affected. Many factors control these effects. Heat exposure during composting kills or inactivates pathogens if the process is monitored properly. Unfortunately, most biocontrol agents also are killed by this heat treatment. Thus, biocontrol agents must recolonize composts after peak heating. The raw feedstock, the environment in which the compost is produced, as well as conditions during curing and utilization determine the potential for recolonization by this microflora and disease suppression. Controlled inoculation of compost with biocontrol agents has proved necessary to induce consistent levels of suppression on a commercial scale. The decomposition level (stability) of composts also affects suppressiveness. Immature composts serve as food for pathogens and increase disease even when biocontrol agents are present. On the other hand, excessively stabilized organic matter does not support the activity of biocontrol agents. Composts also may induce detrimental effects. For example, chemical factors may negate suppressiveness. Salinity and the concentration of nitrogen in composts are principal chemical factors to be considered.     

End Product Quality and Agronomic Performance of Compost

Washington State University produces a manure-based compost of high pH (>8) and low N content (1 percent) by windrow composting campus wastes. Annual production at the four-acre facility is 18-20,000 cubic yards. In the interest of producing compost of higher N content and lower pH, ten experimental piles were constructed to investigate the effects of different feedstocks on the composting process, end quality and agronomic performance. Biosolids and manure were compared at two rates of bedding both with and without coal ash. Compost temperature and inorganic N content during 96 days of active composting are reported along with end product nutrient analysis and metal concentration. The composts behaved differently based on the N feedstock and level of bedding in the mix. Compost quality was influenced by the characteristics of the feedstocks. Applying the composts to an eroded hilltop (50 Mg/ha) increased winter wheat yield, but there were no differences among the ten composts.     

The Use of Bacillus Licheniformis HA1 To Accelerate Composting of Organic Wastes

The effect of Bacillus licheniformis HA1 cell density on the acceleration of organic waste composting was tested in a bench-scale composting system utilizing a process limit temperature of 60°C. Variables measured during composting were CO₂ evolution rate, conversion of substrate carbon and pH. When an initial cell density of 2.0×10⁴ cfu/g-dry solid was used, the strain HA1 increased in number and prevented the decrease in pH during the early stage of composting. This resulted in enhanced populations of other thermophiles and increased the rate of organic matter decomposition. By contrast, no effect was observed at a lower cell density of HA1. It was found that the minimum cell density of HA1 to accelerate organic decomposition was around 10⁴-10⁵ cfu/g dry solid of raw material.     

Comparison of Cassava Distillery Residues and Straw as Bulking Agents for Full-scale Sewage Sludge Composting

To solve problems of bulking agents shortage for sewage sludge (SS) composting and of disposal of cassava distillery residues (CDR) in the alcohol industry, the effects of using CDR instead of maize straw as bulking agents were investigated at full scale in Rizhao, China. This was done by comparing CDR-added and straw-added piles. Both CDR and straw promoted sanitation achievement of SS composts. CDR was effective at increasing fermentation temperature, whereas straw was superior in maintaining the thermophilic phase. The free air space (FAS) of matrices provided by CDR or straw were sufficient (>30%) for fermentation, and showed rising trends during composting. Extensive mass reduction was also accomplished in composting even after considering the weight of added straw or CDR. Compared with straw-added piles, CDR-added piles showed less average FAS (51.42%), water removal (49.68%), and organic matter (OM) loss (21.51%), but greater volume reduction (16.34%). The time-dependence of OM loss varied between the CDR-added (which followed zero-order kinetics) and straw-added (first-order kinetics) piles. After fermentation, the composts were phytotoxin-free in both treatments. The CDR-added piles had lower EC (2,221 μS cm^?1) and C/N (13.29) than straw-added piles. A smaller germination index (73.59%) for CDR-added piles, combined with higher pH (7.33) and oxygen consumption rate (4.33 mL L^?1 min^?1), suggests that SS composting with CDR requires a longer time to reach maturity than with straw. However, CDR can be used instead of maize straw as a bulking agent for full-scale SS composting.     

Chemical and microbiological parameters for the characterization of maturity of composts made from farm and agro-industrial wastes

Bioconversion of farm wastes with agro-industrial wastes into enriched compost is an important possibility in need of research. In this article, changes in chemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated to determine the maturity of composts prepared from mixture of farm and agro-industrial wastes over a period of 150 days. Seven different composts were prepared by using a mixture of different farm wastes with or without enrichment with rock phosphate (RP), agro-industrial wastes and the inoculation of microorganisms. As composting proceeded, the organic C, water-soluble C (WSC), bacterial and fungal counts decreased, whereas total N, P, electrical conductivity (EC) and actinomycetes count increased gradually. Our results suggest that WSC <1%, C:N ratio < 20, neutral pH and a decrease in bacteria and fungal counts, along with an increase in actinomycetes count and stability at the end of composting, may be accepted as an indicator of compost maturity. Changes in organic C, EC, total N and P concentrations over time also proved to be reliable indicators of the progress of the composting process for establishing stability and compost maturity. Addition of RP, agro-industrial wastes and inoculation of microorganisms showed potential in improving the N and P contents of the composts.     

Carbohydrates as Chemical Constituents of Biowaste Composts and their Humic and Fulvic Acids

The decomposition of organic matter of source-separated biowaste during composting was followed during 18 months. Compost samples were fractionated into three parts: (i) hot water soluble extract (HWE) (ii) bitumen fraction and (iii) humic substances (humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA)). Original compost samples and the HA and FA fractions were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid for hexoses and pentoses. Quantitative spectrophotometric and qualitative GC/MS analyses of monosaccharides as trimethylsilyl ethers of the corresponding alditols were carried out.

During composting, the amount of HA in the organic matter of the compost increased, the amounts of HWE and bitumen decreased and the amount of the FA fraction changed only a little. Carbohydrates were found to be important constituents of biowaste composts and their HA and FA fractions. Elemental analysis (C, N and H) of compost and HA samples showed an increase in the C:H ratio and in unsaturation of compounds during composting. The decrease in the C:N ratio was marginal.

The amounts of hexoses and pentoses in original compost samples and the HA and FA fractions decreased during composting. The sugar alcohols erythritol, xylitol, L-arabitol, ribitol, L-rhamnitol, L-fucitol, D-mannitol, D-glucitol and galactitol were identified in both the HA and FA fractions. 2-Deoxy-D-erythro-pentitol was identified in one HA fraction and inositol in two FA fractions. An analysis of gas chromatographic data for relative abundances showed that, in every sample except one and in every stage of composting D-glucitol was the main sugar alcohol. In general, the relative amount of D-glucitol decreased during composting, while the relative amounts of all other sugar alcohols increased.

As chemical indicators of compost maturity, carbohydrates would appear to be a important group of compounds. Most informative as a general indicator would be the ratio of the amount of HA to the amount of organic matter in the total compost samples.

According to our studies, the carbohydrates in composts are covalently bound to the structures of FA and HA. Carbohydrate determination clearly deserves more attention in the structural elucidation of FA and HA.     

Effects of Turning Frequency,Leaves to Grass Mix Ratio and Windrow vs. Pile Configuration on the Composting of Yard Trimmings

Because of proposed bans on the landfilling and incineration of leaves, grass and brush, large-scale composting is fast becoming the primary disposal option for yard trimmings in many states. Few systematic studies have been done to compare the effects of turning regime, feedstock mix ratio, or windrow vs. pile configuration on composting and the characteristics of finished compost. In this study, various ratios of leaves, grass and brush were mixed and composted in two series of windrows; and one set of static piles. One windrow series (#1) was turned seven times every four weeks, while the other windrow series (#2), and the piles, were turned once every four weeks. The effects of the different treatments were examined by measuring compost temperature, oxygen concentration, pH, organic matter and moisture content, volatile fatty acid content, bulk density, stability, humification and seed germination indices, total and available nutrient levels, and particle size distribution. Results showed that turning frequency had little impact on oxygen concentrations, VFA content and temperatures during the composting of yard trimmings in windrows, however, in piles temperatures were substantially higher and oxygen concentrations fluctuated greatly. The composts from all the treatments were stable, (oxygen uptake rates < 0.1 mg O₂/g OM/hr) after 60 days of composting regardless of the turning frequency, mix ratio or configuration. The bulk density inereased much more rapidly in frequently turned windrows than in the other treatments and particle sizes were smaller in these windrows. In most respects however, the final composts (day 136) were remarkably similar and none inhibited Cress seed germination or root elongation. The pH of all the composts, and the soluble salts and nitrate levels in composts made with high levels of grass, exceeded guidelines for greenhouse growth media.