Effect of MSW Compost on Microbiological and Biochemical Soil Quality Indicators

This laboratory incubation study was conducted to evaluate the effect of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) as a soil amendment on soil quality indicators, such as microbial biomass, and their activities. The MSWC was compared against cow dung manure (CDM), a traditional organic supplement. The comparative study was carried out in water regimes of 60% water holding capacity (WH) of soil and under waterlogged (WL) condition. MSWC was applied to an alluvial soil (Typic Fluvaquent) at the rates of 0, 2.5, 10, 20 and 40 and CDM at 0, 20 and 40 t/ha. Microbial biomass-C (MBC), glucose induced soil respiration (SR), urease and acid phosphatase activities in soil were analyzed following 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 days of incubation. The parameters studied were significantly higher in CDM-treated than in MSWC-treated soils. Increase in graded doses of MSWC from 2.5 to 40 t/ha substantially increased the MBC, SR, urease and phosphatase activities in the soil. In 60% WH regime, MBC and SR increased for the first 30 days of incubation and then declined. Under the WL regime, the MBC declined while SR increased from 15 days till 120 days of incubation. Urease and phosphatase activities of soil increased for up to 60 days during incubation in 60% WH regime and then decreased. Activities of both the enzymes under WL regime decreased progressively during incubation. There were no negative impacts on the soil quality indicators from high application rates of MSWC.     

Assessment of maturity degree of composts from domestic solid wastes by fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies.

Methods of assessment of compost maturity are needed so the application of composted materials to lands will provide optimal benefits. The aim of the present paper is to assess the maturity reached by composts from domestic solid wastes (DSW) prepared under periodic and permanent aeration systems and sampled at different composting time, by means of excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). EEM spectra indicated the presence of two different fluorophores centered, respectively, at Ex/Em wavelength pairs of 330/425 and 280/330 nm. The fluorescence intensities of these peaks were also analyzed, showing trends related to the maturity of composts. The "contour density" of EEM maps appeared to be strongly reduced with composting days. After 30 and 45 days of composting, FT-IR spectra exhibited a decrease of intensity of peaks assigned to polysaccharides and in the aliphatic region. EEM and FT-IR techniques seem to produce spectra that correlate with the degree of maturity of the compost. Further refinement of these techniques should provide a relatively rapid method of assessing the suitability of the compost to land application.     

The Effects of Municipal Solid Waste Compost And Compost Tea on Mineral Element Uptake And Fruit Quality of Strawberries

Three levels of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and two application rates of compost tea made with MSWC were applied to strawberries for two years. The highest level of application of MSWC significantly increased the concentrations of most extractable soil mineral elements except for Ni which was increased in the highest compost tea application rate. Despite large differences in soil mineral element concentrations among treatments, plant and fruit uptake were generally unaffected by treatments. Notably however, compost tea applications increased fruit Na levels perhaps due to increased uptake of Na by leaves compared to roots. Generally, the composts and compost teas produced fruit of equal quality in terms of total antioxidant capacity and vitamin C but all treatments failed to provide sufficient N to strawberry plants and all fruit appeared to have leather rot; consequently, yield was decreased.     

Ameliorative Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on the Biological Quality Of Mediterranean Salt Lake Soil

Different loads of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) were applied to hyper saline salt lake soil under laboratory conditions to monitor biological soil quality. Microbial biomass-C (MBC), catalase, dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and β-glycosidase activities were analyzed following 14, 30, and 50 days of incubation. In general, MBC and the oxidoreductase and hydrolase enzyme activities were significantly enhanced by addition of MSWC at 20 and 40 t ha^?1 doses, but they decreased at 120 t ha^?1. Overall, the results show that the addition of MSWC to hyper saline soils can improve soil biological quality, in spite of its high salt content, which is an important step in any attempt to use them as biosaline agricultural soils. However, substances such as heavy metals in MSWC could limit the use of compost for this purpose; consequently, analysis of MSWC is recommended prior to its use.     

Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost and Compost Tea as Fertility Amendments on Growth and Tissue Element Concentration in Container-Grown Tomato

Evaluation of fertility sources for certified organic greenhouse vegetable production is necessary for further industry growth. Two experiments tested the effects of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and water extract tea made from it on potted greenhouse tomatoes. The first used MSWC alone (two levels) and soil tea drench alone (three application frequencies). The second used MSWC and tea in factorial combination at three levels (0, 1×, and 2×). The greatest yield and leaf tissue potassium (K) were obtained using the greatest level combinations of compost and foliar tea spray, and this was significantly greater than conventional nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer yield. Tissue magnesium (Mg) was affected by compost because of the antagonism from compost K. Tea increased tissue sodium (Na). No significant differences in heavy-metal tissue concentrations were found between treatments. While MSWC is an effective soil fertility amendment, the benefits of using tea may be increased with more frequent application.     

接种菌剂对鸡粪堆肥腐殖酸的影响

以鸡粪和稻草为原料进行条垛式堆肥,接种芽孢杆菌菌剂,堆肥共持续42 d。堆肥过程中接种菌剂处理和对照的总腐殖酸含量呈现先下降然后上升趋势。堆肥前3 d接种菌剂处理和对照的总腐殖酸含量基本相同,第7d接种菌剂处理总腐殖酸含量开始大于对照,堆肥结束时接种菌剂堆肥的总腐殖酸含量为23.1%,而对照的为17.2%。游离腐殖酸、水溶性腐殖酸、胡敏酸含量与总腐殖酸含量的变化趋势基本一致,呈现先降后升的趋势。富里酸含量呈先升后降趋势。堆肥结束时接种菌剂处理的各种腐殖酸含量均显著高于对照,说明接种菌剂可以促进堆肥中腐殖酸的产生。     

嗜热复合菌对堆肥品质及微生物群落演替的影响

  【目的】  研究嗜热复合菌对畜禽粪污堆肥理化特性和腐熟度的影响,探讨嗜热菌影响堆肥过程的微生物机制。  【方法】  堆料由75%羊粪和25%养鸡发酵床垫料构成,初始原料C/N为28,堆料量1.2 t,高度70～90 cm,开放条垛式堆沤。处理组为堆肥添加0.1%嗜热菌B. fordii FJAT-51578和U. thermosphaericus FJAT-51579等比混合的发酵液,对照组为添加1%市售枯草芽孢杆菌堆肥菌剂(Bacillus subtilis)。堆肥时间为2021年9月18日—10月14日,每两天检测1次温度。堆肥前15天,每两天进行一次翻抛,后期每5天进行一次翻抛,保持堆肥含水量50%～60%,直至高温期结束。在堆肥开始后第1、9和26天取堆肥样品,分析氮磷含量、硝化指数和种子发芽指数。结合扩增子测序,分析堆肥细菌群落结构变化,并揭示其主要环境影响因子。采用PICRUSt分析堆肥有效氮和有效磷代谢的微生物机制。  【结果】  嗜热复合菌添加促进堆肥硝化指数的降低和种子发芽指数的升高,促进堆肥腐熟;堆肥产物碱解氮和有效磷的含量分别比市售菌剂组高11.8%和7.7%。同时,嗜热复合菌的添加改变了细菌群落的分布,降低了堆肥细菌的多样性和丰富度,提高了糖单胞菌、链霉菌和嗜热葡萄孢菌等降解菌的丰度。RDA分析表明,pH和C/N是影响堆肥微生物群落多样性的主要因素,碱解氮与芽孢杆菌和糖单胞菌属丰度正相关,有效磷与嗜热裂孢菌、直丝菌属和马杜拉放线菌属丰度正相关。氮、磷代谢相关京都基因和基因组百科全书同源基因(KO)的PICRUSt分析显示,微生物氮磷循环相关KO的丰度随着堆肥进程均有所增加。添加嗜热菌剂提高了氨化、铵同化、硝酸盐同化、同化/异化硝酸盐还原等氮循环相关KO,及无机磷溶解、酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶等磷循环相关KO。  【结论】  在畜禽粪污堆肥中添加嗜热复合菌剂加快并延长了高温期,降低了C/N,提高了堆肥中碱解氮和有效磷含量,其中C/N、硝化指数和GI指数等指标在堆肥中期达腐熟程度标准,促进堆肥腐熟。堆肥中添加嗜热复合菌剂增加了细菌氮磷代谢相关KO的表达,提高了腐熟中期堆肥中嗜热菌的丰度和种类,碱解氮与芽孢杆菌和糖单胞菌属丰度呈正相关,有效磷与嗜热裂孢菌、直丝菌属和马杜拉放线菌属丰度正相关。因此,添加嗜热复合菌促进了堆肥有效氮磷的含量。     

Opposite effects of two organic wastes on the physical quality of an agricultural soil

Soil application of organic wastes (OWs) can be beneficial for soil quality, depending on the quality of the wastes as well as on the amended soil. We performed a field experiment comparing the effects of two different OWs, an industrial sewage sludge (ISS) and a municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), on the physical, chemical and biological quality of an agricultural soil cultivated with maize in central Iran. The two OWs were mixed into the topsoil of the plots at rates of 15 and 45 t ha^?1 (dry matter). The analysis of soil samples taken 31, 74, 132 and 241 days after OW application showed both OW increased organic matter, microbial respiration, and urease activity and decreased bulk density. In contrast, they had opposite effects on water retention and saturated hydraulic conductivity. While the MSWC increased water retention at high saturation and saturated hydraulic conductivity, the ISS decreased them. The negative effects of the ISS on physical soil quality, which may have been due to pore-clogging and hydrophobicity effects, were related to a smaller yield increase in the ISS than in the MSWC treatments, demonstrating the importance that physical OW properties can have for the quality of amended soil.     

Organic Matter Evolution Index (OMEI) as a Measure Of Composting Efficiency

The significance of the organic matter evolution index (OMEI) related to the composting process degree was tested on a full-scale windrow process for 239 days. Analytical data from many samples collected during the process and kinetics were in agreement regarding the insufficient degree of stability and maturity reached by the compost obtained. As expected, the OMEI at the end of the process was low (OMEI = 0.46) confirming its validity to composting degree evaluation. New analytical methods for humic substances quantification were developed by monitoring humic acids concentration versus composting time and ligno-humic fraction.     

Wood Ash as an Amendment in Municipal Sludge And Yard Waste Composting Processes

Wood ash from a wood-fired, electrical generating plant was examined as a potential amendment in municipal biosolids and yard waste composting applications. The rate of composting and the final compost quality (chemical, physical, and plant growth characteristics) were examined. Yard waste (leaves, grass, and wood chips) and a municipal biosolids-chip mixture were either not amended or amended with wood ash at eight percent or five percent by weight, respectively, and then composted outdoors in insulated, 1700L, aerated reactors. Yard waste piles heated rapidly to 60°C within six to seven days, whereas biosolid piles heated more slowly to a maximum of 52 to 57°C within nine to 11 days. Ash had little, if any, effect on the time-temperature response. In general, ash-amended compost had higher pi I, plant nutrient, and salt contents. Tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum) produced 100 percent more shoot biomass in biosolids than in yard waste compost media. Poor plant growth in the yard waste compost was likely due to the high initial pH and salt content of the growth medium. In yard waste media, tomato plants germinated and produced more shoot biomass in the control compost than in the ash-amended compost.

A pH neutralization study indicated that wood fly ash could be used as an economical substitute for lime which is commonly used to stabilize municipal biosolids prior to land filling or land application. Wood fly ash (pH = 13.2-13.4), when added to biosolids at a 2 to 1 ratio by weight, raised the pH of the mixture to 12.0.     

Changes in maturity indicators during the degradation of organic wastes subjected to simple composting procedures

Selected maturity indicators were monitored over a period of 335 days during the degradation of organic wastes subjected to four simple composting procedures, which varied in raw material (garden refuse with and without market refuse) and turning frequency (0×, 6×). All procedures produced mature composts. The inclusion of market refuse and frequent turning generally increased the cation exchange capacity of compost on an ash-free basis. Until day 118 of the composting process, compost samples which contained market refuse in their raw material mixture had the lowest redox potentials after anaerobic incubation. Cress grown on these composts also produced the lowest fresh mass. At a later stage of the composting process, the same composts displayed increased cellulolytic activity. Frequent turning of the compost heaps resulted in greater fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, a greater occurrence of low-molecular-weight humic compounds and, occasionally, an inhibition of cellulolytic activity. The arginine ammonification assay gave information on the N-status of the composts, rather than on the compost maturity, and suggested that all the composts could be safely applied to soil with no risk of microbial immobilisation of soil N.     

Compost Maturity Effects on Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization and Plant Growth

Improved predictive relationships between compost maturity and nitrogen (N) availability are needed. A total of 13 compost samples were collected from a single windrow over a 91 d period. Compost stability and maturity were assessed using both standard chemical analyses (total C and N, mineral N, total volatile solids) and other methods (CO₂ evolution, commercial maturity kits, and neutral detergent fiber, and lignin). Compost N and carbon (C) were evaluated during a 130 d aerobic incubation in a sandy loam soil after each compost was applied at 200 mg total kg^?1 soil. The effect of compost maturity on plant growth was evaluated by growing two ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) crops and one barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop in succession in compost-amended soil under greenhouse conditions. Potential phytotoxicity from compost was assessed by growing tomato (Lypersicum esculentum L.) seedlings in compost-amended soil. Regression and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between compost maturity parameters, the rate and extent of net N and C mineralization, plant yield and N uptake, and phytotoxicity. Commonly used maturity parameters like total C, total N, and C:N ratio were poorly correlated with the rate and extent of mineralization, and with plant growth parameters. The N mineralization rate during the first 48 d of aerobic incubation was strongly correlated (r= ?0.82 to ?0.86) to compost fiber and lignin concentration, and to the Maturity Index (r=0.85). Trends in C mineralization were similar. There were few differences in C mineralization between composts after 48 d of aerobic incubation in soil. Ryegrass harvested 35 and 70 d after compost application was not strongly affected by compost maturity, and relatively immature composts were phytotoxic to tomato seedlings. Methods of characterizing compost maturity and stability that more realistically reflect the composting process are better predictors of N release and potential plant inhibition after incorporation into soil.     

两种微生物菌剂对烟草废弃物高温堆肥腐熟进程的影响

以烟草废弃物为主要原料,添加合适比例猪粪进行高温堆肥试验,研究了烟草废弃物堆肥体系中加入两种微生物菌剂（NNY、FB）后的温度、总氮（T-N）、NH4＋-N、C/N、种子发芽指数（GI）的动态变化及其对烟草废弃物堆肥产品品质的影响。结果表明,添加微生物菌剂缩短了烟草废弃物堆肥达到高温的时间,延长了高温分解持续时间,增加全氮含量,加快物料NH4＋-N和C/N比的降低速率,提高种子发芽指数（GI）,加快了烟草废弃物堆肥腐熟化进程。纯烟草废弃物单独堆肥,最高温度为43℃,GI最高为78.4%。添加微生物菌剂NNY、FB的堆肥处理都在堆肥2d后进入高温分解阶段（〉50℃）,高温持续时间分别为15、12d,较仅添加合适猪粪比例处理进入高温分解阶段时间提前2d,高温持续时间分别延长5、2d。至堆肥11d,添加微生物菌剂NNY和FB的堆肥处理种子发芽指数较纯烟草废弃物处理分别增加了185.5%和117.7%,较仅添加合适比例猪粪处理分别增加了41.4%和7.6%。添加NNY、FB微生物菌剂的处理可以显著增加烟草废弃物堆肥产品的N、P、K养分含量,降低堆肥容重,提高堆肥总孔隙度和持水孔隙度,改善了堆肥产品的品质。两种微生物菌剂对烟草废弃物高温腐熟效果较优。     

Cocomposting of Beet Vinasse and Grape Marc In Windrows and Static Pile Systems

Two composts were obtained by cocomposting a concentrated depotassified beet vinasse and grape marc using an aerated static pile and a windrow system. The composting mixtures comprised grape marc (83%) and vinasse (17%) for the aerated static pile system and grape marc (77%), vinasse (20%) and phosphate rock (3%) for the windrow. Changes in temperature followed a similar path for both mixtures, however the thermophilic phase was longer in the aerated static pile (25 days) than in the windrow (10 days). This fact caused differences in both organic matter degradation, weight losses (21% for static pile and 10% for windrow) and gas losses during the process. Nevertheless, the composts obtained by the two systems had a high fertilizer nutrient value (18.2 g kg^?1 N; 3.1 g kg^?1 P; 13.6 g kg^?1 K, C/N 16.1 for compost obtained in static pile and 20.6 g kg^?1 N; 13.7 g kg^?1 P; 13.1 g kg^?1 K; C/N 18 for compost obtained in windrow). A high degree of stability was reached in both composting systems (124 cmol_c kg^?1 CEC for static pile and 153 cmolc kg^?1 CEC for windrow at 80 days of composting). The chemical and physical properties of both vinasse composts suggest their possible use as soil conditioner.     

Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Compost: Research Trials at the Johnson City,Tennessee Facility

? In 1963, the Division of Health and Safety of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) proposed construction and operation of a composting plant at some medium-sized city in the valley, primarily as a means of disposing of solid wastes, but also as a means of converting wastes into a material useful for erosion control, land reclamation and soil improvement. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the TVA cooperated in the operation of a composting plant at Johnson City, Tennessee from 1967 to 1971. An outdoor windrow process was used. Sewage sludge was incorporated with the MSW up to 20 percent of the total compost solids.

Johnson City compost was used in numerous demonstrations in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, starting in the fall of 1968. Replicated field plot experiments were also carried out at Muscle Shoals, Alabama and eastern Tennessee. This report reviews results of those demonstration studies, as well as analyses of material used for stripmine reclamation and for ash pond stabilization. The results were in papers published by agronomists on the TVA staff in the 1970s. Data over a 19-year period following compost application are reviewed for impact on crop yield, organic matter and nutrient supply.     

Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization and Humus Composition Following Municipal Solid Waste Compost Addition to Laterite Soils under Continuous Cassava Cultivation

A glasshouse incubation experiment was conducted to study the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralization of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) added at differential rates to a laterite soil where cassava has been continuously cultivated for the past 10 years. The rate of C mineralization from added substrates increased with increasing rates of addition of MSWC. Available N significantly increased with increase in the rate of application of MSWC. There was a decreasing trend in E₄₆₅/E₆₆₅ ratio of humic acid as we increased the rate of application of MSWC from 2.5 to 20 t ha^?1. The Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning (CPMAS) ¹³C NMR spectral analysis revealed that there are differences in the rate of humification of added MSWC, and application of MSWC at 15 t ha^?1 resulted in least humification with the greatest alkyl C, lowest aromatic C, and greater O-alkyl C content. The decomposition rate (R) was found to be greater for this treatment. The residual C in soil was found to increase over time coincident with greater rates of MSWC application, indicating increased C stabilization, which could improve soil quality.     

Respiration Rate – Reheating Potential: A Comparison of Measures of Compost Stability

In this study, respiration rate was found to be a useful tool for assessing the relative stability of compostable materials. Internal windrow temperature and/or reheating potential were compared to respiration rate, and therefore, to the degree of compost stability. Parameters that evaluate biological activity, such as respiration rate and reheating potential, exhibited an ability to indicate compost stability.

There are no federal regulations and only a limited number of state regulations regarding compost stability or end use. Minnesota, New York, Florida and a few other states have developed classifications for maturity or end use. These regulations generally define mature or stable compost as having achieved 60 percent decomposition or having been in active decomposition for at least 180 days. Reheating potential or declining windrow temperatures have been used as qualitative measures of maturity.     

用化学和生物学方法估测不同C/N比猪粪堆肥的腐熟度

Aerobic static pile composting(Mechanical turning every 3 days) of pig manure was prepared at 8 m^3 windrow heaps .Sawdust was used as the bulking aagent to provide additional carbon and to increase the porosity of the substrate Two treatments at initial C/N ratios of 30 and 15,respectively,were designed in the study,Dissolved organic carbon(DOC),soluble NH4^ -N,C/N ratios in solid and aqueous phases,E4/E6 ratios,and seed germination index(GI) were determined to evaluate the maturity of the co-composts.Seed germination index,a biological parameter,was suggested as one of the most reliable maturity indicators for organic compost.The results showed that the treatment at the initial C/N ratio of 30 reached maturity after 49 days of composting ;however,the treatment at the initial C/N ration of 15 should require composting time of longer than 63 days to obtain maturation.Chemical multi-indicator evaluation was necessary,and the GI measurement was the recommended approach for maturity evaluation in the study.     

Effects of aeration and moisture during windrow composting on the nitrogen fertilizer values of dairy waste composts

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of turning and moisture addition during windrow composting on the N fertilizer values of dairy waste composts. Composted-dairy wastes were sampled from windrow piles, which received four treatments in a 2×2 factorial of turning (turning vs. no turning) and moisture addition (watering vs. no watering) at two stages of maturity (mature vs. immature). Composts were characterized for their chemical properties. An 84-day laboratory incubation of soils with addition of the composts at two levels was conducted to evaluate the inorganic N accumulation patterns from the variously treated composts. Chemical analyses of variously treated composts did not differ between compost treatments or maturity. In contrast, the inorganic N accumulation patterns differed between soils that received immature versus mature turned composted-dairy wastes. The results suggested that turning was a more important factor than moisture addition affecting the composting process. There was no significant difference in inorganic N accumulation patterns among soils that received different immature composts, while the N accumulation patterns observed for soils that received different mature composts depended on compost treatments. Soils amended with mature composts treated by frequent turning had higher N mineralization potentials (N₀), mineralization rate constants (K), and initial potential rates (N₀K) in comparison to soils with composts that had not been turned. Soils with mature composts treated by watering had a higher N₀, lower K, and therefore similar N₀K when compared to soils with composts that had not been watered. Soils that received mature composts treated by watering and frequent turning had higher N mineralization potentials and N₀ to total organic N ratios than soil alone, which suggested that intensive management of composting would ensure positive N fertilizer values of dairy waste composts, if the appropriate composting duration is completed.     

添加不同辅料对污泥堆肥腐熟度及气体排放的影响

选择玉米秸秆和木本泥炭两种辅料添加至脱水污泥中进行联合好氧堆肥,研究了秸秆和木本泥炭作为添加剂对污泥堆肥腐熟度和堆肥过程中气体排放(NH_3、CH_4和N_2O)的影响。两种辅料添加量均为初始物料的15%,堆肥在60 L的密闭反应器中共持续35 d。研究结果表明,秸秆作为添加剂与污泥联合堆肥,堆肥产品可以达到卫生标准和腐熟标准。添加秸秆处理整个堆肥过程中累积NH_3、CH_4和N_2O排放量分别为2.2、0.14和0.09 g/kg,NH_3和CH_4排放主要发生在堆肥的升温期和高温期,N_2O排放主要发生在堆肥的后腐熟阶段。添加木本泥炭作为添加剂不能成功启动堆肥,整个堆置过程中未检测到NH_3和CH_4排放,但是在堆肥前期有大量N_2O产生。对于添加秸秆的处理,CH_4、N_2O和NH_3对总温室气体排放的贡献率分别为45%,36%和19%,CH_4所占比重最高。