Treatment of Source-Separated Human Feces via Lactic Acid Fermentation Combined with Thermophilic Composting

Human feces from urine diverting dry toilets can serve as valuable soil conditioners. For a successful agricultural application, an efficient pathogen reduction needs to be ensured, with no negative effects on plants. This study assessed the efficiency of lacto-fermentation combined with thermophilic composting on pathogen removal from human feces and the post-treatment effects on germination and growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) and tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) compared to lacto-fermentation combined with vermi-composting and the control. The NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^?-N ratio of 3.0 and 3.6, respectively, suggested the obtained compost and vermi-compost was not yet mature. A complete reduction in the concentration of all investigated bacterial indicators (i.e., coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium perfringens) from 5–7 log CFU g^?1 to below detection limit (<3 log CFU g^?1) was achieved after lacto-fermentation combined with thermophilic composting. Lacto-fermentation combined with vermi-composting also contributed to pathogen die-off, but coliform bacteria were reduced to only 5 log CFU g^?1. Fertilization of seeds of radish by compost obtained after lacto-fermentation combined with thermophilic composting led to a higher germination index than by the vermicast obtained by lacto-fermentation and vermi-composting (90% versus 84%). Moreover, significantly bigger average fruit weight and total biomass per tomato plant (p < 0.05) were obtained after compost amendment compared to vermicast or the control.     

Effect of seed rate and nitrogen fertilizer on weed species composition,density and diversity in two sesame varieties

To evaluate the effect of seed and nitrogen rates on weed species composition, density, biomass and diversity in two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties, a field experiment was conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 rainy seasons at Samaru, Nigeria. Four seed rates, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg ha^?1, four nitrogen rates, 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1 and two sesame varieties NCRIBEN 01M and E8 were arranged as factorial in a split plot design. Weeds with the highest important values in sesame field were Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Ludwigia decurrens, Ageratum conyzoides and Cyperus esculentus. Year had a significant effect on weed density, biomass, diversity, evenness and richness. Weed density, biomass, diversity and richness were lowest in the 2011 trial and weed species evenness in 2009. Variety E8 reduced weed biomass better than NCRIBEN 01M. Averaged over years, weed diversity and evenness were lowest at 4 kg seeds ha^?1. Seed × nitrogen rates effect of 4 kg seed ha^?1 and 30 kg N ha^?1 produced the lowest weed species diversity and evenness. The result suggests that variety E8 at 4 kg seed ha^?1 and 30 kg N ha^?1 with hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS may provide better weed control, and it is recommended in sesame production.     

Changes in Properties of Composting Rice Husk and Their Effects on Soil and Cocoa Growth

The worldwide production of rice husk, a by‐product and agrowaste that causes serious environmental problems, may reach 116 million t y^?1. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the physicochemical changes of rice husk and its structural chemistry during composting using ¹³carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR) and (ii) to determine the effect of the composted rice husk (CRH) on the properties of Oxisol and cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) growth under glasshouse conditions. Results showed an active composting phase occurred at the first 53 days as revealed by high carbon dioxide (CO₂)‐C (40–71 µg g^?1 h^?1) production, followed by a matured composting phase occurring at 54–116 days as revealed by decreasing in CO₂‐C production (10 µg g^?1 h^?1). The active composting was accompanied by increases in electrical conductivity (EC), pH, ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), and nitrate (NO₃), whereas during the matured composting phase, the EC and cation exchange capacity increased but pH, NH₄ ⁺, and NO₃ ^?1 decreased. The ash of the produced compost contains mainly calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) as essential nutrients. The CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectra before and after various composting times indicated the dominance of sharp and well‐resolved signal peaks at O‐alkyl C and di‐O‐alkyl C regions (67–73%), which are characteristic of cellulose. The percentage of N‐alky/methoxyl was 23–26% whereas phenolic, carboxyl, and alkyl C types were less than 3% each. The application of the CRH to an Oxisol significantly increased soil pH and Ca, Mg, K, sodium (Na), and silicon (Si) ions of in situ soil solution but decreased the amounts of toxic ions [aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)]. The CRH was found to increase cocoa growth up to 37%.     

Annual warm-season grasses vary for forage yield,quality, and competitiveness with weeds

Warm-season annual grasses may be suitable as forage crops in integrated weed management systems with reduced herbicide use. A 2-year field study was conducted to determine whether tillage system and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application method influenced crop and weed biomass, water use, water use efficiency (WUE), and forage quality of three warm-season grasses, and seed production by associated weeds. Tillage systems were zero tillage and conventional tillage with a field cultivator. The N fertilization methods were urea broadcast or banded near seed rows at planting. Warm-season grasses seeded were foxtail (Setaria italica L.) and proso (Panicum mileaceum L.) millets, and sorghum–sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudenense Stapf.). Density of early emerging weeds was similar among treatments, averaging 51 m^?2. Millets exhibited higher weed density and weed biomass than sorghum–sudangrass. At harvest, sorghum–sudangrass produced significantly greater biomass and N accumulation than either millet. Water use (157 mm) and WUE (25.1 kg mm^-1 ha^?1) of total biomass did not vary among treatments or grass entries. Weed seed production by redroot pigweed and green foxtail was respectively 93 and 73% less in sorghum–sudangrass than proso millet. Warm-season grasses offer an excellent fit in semiarid cropping systems.     

The Maturity and CH4, N2O,NH3 Emissions from Vermicomposting with Agricultural Waste

This study investigated the maturity and gaseous emissions from vermicomposing with agricultural waste. A vermicomposting treatment (inoculated Eisenia fetida) was conducted over a 50-day period, taking tomato stems as the processing object and using cow dung as the nutrient substrate. A thermophilic composting treatment without earthworm inoculation was operated as a control treatment. During the experiment, maturity indexes such as temperature, pH, C/N ratio, and germination index (GI) were determined and continuous measurements of earthworm biomass and CH₄, N₂O, and NH₃ emissions were carried out. The results showed that the temperature during vermicomposting was suitable for earthworm survival, and the earthworm biomass increased from 10.0 to 63.1 kg m^?3. Vermicomposting took less time on average to reach the compost maturity standard (GI 80%), and reached a higher GI (132%) in the compost product compared with the thermophilic composting treatment. Moreover, the decrease of the C/N ratio in vermicompost indicated stabilization of the waste. The activities of earthworms played a positive role in reducing gaseous emissions in vermicompost, resulting in less emissions of NH₃ (12.3% NH₃-N of initial nitrogen) and total greenhouse gases (8.1 kg CO₂-eq/t DM) than those from thermophilic compost (24.9% NH₃-N of initial nitrogen, 22.8 kg CO₂-eq/t DM). Therefore, it can be concluded that vermicomposting can shorten the period required to reach compost maturity, can obtain better maturity compost, and at the same time reduce gaseous emissions. As an added advantage, the earthworms after processing could have commercial uses.     

Effect of 7-year application of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), on soil microbial biomass, protease and deaminase activities, and the abundance of bacteria and archaea in pasture soils

Purpose

The nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) has been shown to be highly effective in reducing nitrate (NO₃ ^?) leaching and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions when used to treat grazed pasture soils. However, there have been few studies on the possible effects of long-term DCD use on other soil enzyme activities or the abundance of the general soil microbial communities. The objective of this study was to determine possible effects of long-term DCD use on key soil enzyme activities involved in the nitrogen (N) cycle and the abundance of bacteria and archaea in grazed pasture soils.

Materials and methods

Three field sites used for this study had been treated with DCD for 7 years in field plot experiments. The three pasture soils from three different regions across New Zealand were Pukemutu silt loam in Southland in the southern South Island, Horotiu silt loam in the Waikato in the central North Island and Templeton silt loam in Canterbury in the central South Island. Control and DCD-treated plots were sampled to analyse soil pH, microbial biomass C and N, protease and deaminase activity, and the abundance of bacteria and archaea.

Results and discussion

The three soils varied significantly in the microbial biomass C (858 to 542 μg C g^?1 soil) and biomass N (63 to 28 μg N g^?1), protease (361 to 694 μg tyrosine g^?1 soil h^?1) and deaminase (4.3 to 5.6 μg NH₄ ⁺ g^?1 soil h^?1) activity, and bacteria (bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy number: 1.64?×?10⁹ to 2.77?×?10⁹ g^?1 soil) and archaea (archaeal 16S rRNA gene copy number: 2.67?×?10⁷ to 3.01?×?10⁸ g^?1 soil) abundance. However, 7 years of DCD use did not significantly affect these microbial population abundance and enzymatic activities. Soil pH values were also not significantly affected by the long-term DCD use.

Conclusions

These results support the hypothesis that DCD is a specific enzyme inhibitor for ammonia oxidation and does not affect other non-target microbial and enzyme activities. The DCD nitrification inhibitor technology, therefore, appears to be an effective mitigation technology for nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in grazed pasture soils with no adverse impacts on the abundance of bacteria and archaea and key enzyme activities.     

Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil microbial activity and soil organic carbon build-up under rice in west coast of India

The effect of medium-term (5 years) application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (as mineral or inorganic fertilizers) on soil organic carbon (SOC), SOC stock, carbon (C) build-up rate, microbial and enzyme activities in flooded rice soils was tested in west coast of India. Compared to the application of vermicompost, glyricidia (Glyricidia maculate) (fresh) and eupatorium (Chromolaena adenophorum) (fresh) and dhaincha (Sesbania rostrata) (fresh), the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and combined application of paddy straw (dry) and water hyacinth (PsWh) (fresh) improved the SOC content significantly (p < 0.05). The lowest (p < 0.05) SOC content (0.81%) was observed in untreated control. The highest (p < 0.05) SOC stock (23.7 Mg C ha^?1) was observed in FYM-treated plots followed by recommended dose of mineral fertilizer (RDF) (23.2 Mg C ha^?1) and it was lowest (16.5 Mg C ha^?1) in untreated control. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mb) (246 µg g^?1 soil) and C_mb/SOC (1.92%) were highest (p < 0.05) in FYM-treated plot. The highest (p < 0.05) value of metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was recorded under RDF (19.7 µg CO₂-C g^?1 C_mb h^?1) and untreated control (19.6 µg CO₂-C g^?1 C_mb h^?1). Application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients impacted soil enzyme activities significantly (p < 0.05) with FYM causing highest dehydrogenase (20.5 µg TPF g^?1 day^?1), phosphatase (659 µg PNP g^?1 h^?1) and urease (0.29 µg urea g^?1 h^?1) activities. Application of organic source of nutrients especially FYM improved the microbial and enzyme activities in flooded and transplanted rice soils. Although the grain yield was higher with the application of RDF, but the use of FYM as an organic agricultural practice is more useful when efforts are intended to conserve more SOC and improved microbial activity.     

Effect of boron and sulfur interaction on some important biological indices in an inceptisol

In most soil ecosystems, soil biological activity and associated processes are concentrated in the rhizosphere soil and is influenced by the external application of plant nutrients. The impacts of boron and sulfur on soil biological properties were evaluated in an Aeric Haplaquept (pH 5.7) growing rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) as a test crop. Application of boron (B) at 2 mg kg^?1 in combination with sulfur (S) at 30 mg kg^?1 (B₂S₃₀) resulted in highest available Boron and sulfur of 0.239 and 15.4 mg kg^?1, respectively and registered 62.5% and 71.3% increase over control (B₀S₀) at 60 days of crop growth compared to individual applications. The microbial populations viz. phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) were the highest of 52.63 and 85.87 × 10⁵ g^?1 soil, respectively, CFU in B₂S₃₀ treatment at 60 days and adjudged as the best treatment combination for enhancement of soil biological indices and seed yield.     

Stability Evaluation of Mixed Food Waste Composts

As interest in food waste composting grows, so does the need for proven composting methods. Stability testing has been proposed as a compost quality assurance tool. We conducted this study to: (i) to evaluate the efficacy of simple outdoor composting methods in producing a compost with a low, stable decomposition rate, and (ii) to determine the reliability of simple, 4-h compost stability evaluation methods. Composting was conducted outdoors in winter and spring in Eugene, Oregon without moisture addition. Mixed food waste was combined with screened dairy solids and ground yard trimmings. Sawdust was used to cover windrows for the first 27 d of composting. Compost windrow temperatures remained above 55°C for 30+ d. Carbon dioxide evolved with several 4-h test methods was strongly correlated (r² > 0.7) with CO₂ evolved using a 48-h test. A limited-turn windrow (LTW) composting system produced compost with slightly greater stability than a passively aerated windrow (PAW) composting system. Food waste compost samples had a low CO₂ evolution rate after 71 to 99 d using either composting system. Compost CO₂ evolution rate at 25°C decreased with composting time, reaching approximately 1 to 4 mg CO₂-C g compost C^?1 d^?1 for the PAW method and 0.5 to 2 mg CO₂-C g compost C^?1 d^?1 for the LTW method. Putrescible organic matter in food waste was effectively decomposed in outdoor windrows using composting methods that did not employ forced aeration, self-propelled windrow turners, or manufactured composting vessels. Several 4-h stability tests showed promise for implementation as quality assurance tools.     

Evaluation of a new composting method in terms of its biodegradation pathway and assessment of compost quality,maturity and stability

The need for scientific composting methods for effective utilization of organic waste is increasing day by day. In this respect, a new process called the Novcom composting method is being increasingly adopted by the organic tea planters of Assam and Darjeeling (India) for large-scale composting. Study of the biodegradation process under this method and quality evaluation of the end product was carried out at Maud tea estate (Assam) during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010. Generation of high temperatures (>65°C) within the compost heap during the biodegradation process provided an indication regarding the destruction of pathogens and weed seeds in the composted material. Samples collected on day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 30 of composting, were analyzed for physicochemical properties, nutrient status, microbial population, stability and phytotoxicity parameters. The most significant finding was the high microbial population (in the order of 10¹⁶ cfu g^?1) in the final product, which was generated naturally during biodegradation. Assessment of the maturity and stability parameters of the compost indicated that biodegradation was complete in ～3 weeks. The study provided an indication of the potential of the Novcom composting method for the production of good quality, stable and mature compost, within a short period.     

An Enhanced Direct Process Temperature Validation Framework in Composting: Case Study of a Full-Scale Covered Aerated Static Pile

ABSTRACT

To ensure the safety of compost products, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment's compost guidelines specify upper limits for certain pathogenic and indicator microbes, which are presumably achieved by exposing every particle of compost to temperatures ≥55°C for at least three consecutive days. A rugged temperature probe that behaves like a random compost particle was used to investigate whether every compost particle meets the time temperature criterion and to measure sanitation efficacy. An inoculum consisting of Salmonella enterica var. Meleagridis, Escherichia coli K12, and phi-S1 bacteriophage (all at levels of ～1 × 10⁶ CFU/PFU mL^?1) was added into 17 probes. The probes were randomly introduced into a covered, aerated static pile along with 17 probes that only monitored the temperature. After 56 days of composting, with one pile turn the probes were recovered. Organism levels were determined via culture-based methods. Before turning, 80% of the randomly introduced probes satisfied the time-temperature criterion. After turning, this number increased to 87%, demonstrating that turning is somewhat useful for sanitation. The cool zones largely remained mesophilic with the pile turning having minimal impact, which could potentially be an indication that the pile was not turned thoroughly. One of the 17 probes with cryovials reached only 40.2°C, and survival of S. meleagridis (2.5 × 10⁶ CFU ml^?1) was observed. The remaining probes with cryovials exceeded 55°C and were pathogen free. It appears that the specified time-temperature conditions are likely adequate. However, more observations are needed before a firm conclusion can be made.     

RESPONSE OF TURFGRASS GROWTH IN A BLACK CHERNOZEMIC SOIL AMENDED WITH MUNICIPAL SOLID/BIOSOLID WASTE COMPOST

High transportation cost is a barrier which prevents land application of compost far away from where the compost is produced. As a result, use of compost in lawns is becoming a popular alternative in municipalities where compost is produced from municipal solid/biosolid waste. A four-year (2002 to 2005) field experiment was conducted on turfgrass [20% Kentucky Blue (Poa pratensis L.) + 80% Creeping Red Fescues (Festuca rubra L.)] grown on a Black Chernozem soil near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to determine the effect of rate and frequency of spring application of compost (prepared from soild/biosolid waste of city of Edmonton) on biomass, sward color, concentration and uptake of nutrients of sward, and soil chemical properties. There were three compost treatments: 50 Mg ha^?1 annual; 100 Mg ha^?1 (1st year) + 50 Mg ha^?1 (2nd year) split, and 150 Mg ha^?1 once in three years (2002, 2003 and 2004) applications. In addition, there were check (no fertilizers or compost) and annual nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium-sulfur (NPKS) fertilizer application (100 kg N + 20 kg P + 42 kg K + 20 kg S ha^?1 annual) treatments. In the fourth year (2005), residual effect of applied compost on turfgrass growth was determined. Annual application of compost at 50 Mg ha^?1 had more green color of leaf, and higher sward N concentration and biomass production of turfgrass for prolonged periods than the check treatment. In comparison with annual application, high initial compost and split applications generated greater turfgrass growth only in the first two years, but produced higher cumulative biomass over the three- or four-year period. Both annual and cumulative biomass yields were highest in treatments receiving NPKS fertilizers. After four growing seasons, there was no residual mineral N in soil from both compost and NPKS fertilizer, and no residual sulfate-S in soil from NPKS fertilizer treatments. The amounts of extractable P and exchangeable K in soil were greater in compost treatments than in the NPKS fertilizer treatment. There was downward movement of extractable P into the 15–30 cm soil depth in one-time initial and split compost and NPKS fertilizer treatments, and of sulfate-S in all compost treatments. In conclusion, annual application of compost in spring at 50 Mg ha^?1 is recommended for sustainable color and growth of turfgrass.     

Genetic tagging of Azotobacter chroococcum for colonization on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cotton (Gossypium sp.) roots

Abstract

Azotobacter chroococcum strains E12, HT57 were genetically tagged with lac Z, gfp to study the colonization behaviour on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cotton (Gossypium sp.) in soil under controlled conditions. 10³ – 10⁴ cfu g^?1 soil of HT57 lac Z were found to colonize roots of both cotton and wheat crops whereas 1.7 × 10⁴ – 7.2 × 10⁴ cfu g^?1 soil of E12 gfp was colonizing wheat roots and 1.6 × 10⁴ – 9.3 × 10⁴ cfu g^?1 soil of E12 gfp colonized cotton roots respectively. Tagged strains colonized mostly on root tips compared to basal roots in both the crops.     

Laboratory Assessment of Nostoc 9v (Cyanobacteria) Effects on N2 Fixation and Chemical Fertility of Degraded African Soils

The potential of Nostoc 9v for improving the nitrogen (N)₂–fixing capacity and nutrient status of semi‐arid soils from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa was studied in a laboratory experiment. Nostoc 9v was inoculated on nonsterilized and sterilized soils. Inoculum rates were 2.5 mg dry biomass g^?1 soil and 5 mg dry biomass g^?1 soil. The soils were incubated for 3 months at 27 °C under 22 W m² illumination with a photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark. The moisture was maintained at 60% of field capacity. In all soils, Nostoc 9v proliferated and colonized the soil surfaces very quickly and was tolerant to acidity and low nutrient availability. Cyanobacteria promoted soil N₂ fixation and had a pronounced effect on total soil organic carbon (SOC), which increased by 30–100%. Total N also increased, but the enrichment was, in most soils, comparatively lower than for carbon (C). Nitrate and ammonium concentrations, in contrast, decreased in all the soils studied. Increases in the concentration of available macronutrients were produced in most soils and treatments, ranging from 3 to 20 mg phosphorus (P) kg^?1 soil, from 5 to 58 mg potassium (K) kg^?1 soil, from 4 to 285 mg calcium (Ca) kg^?1, and from 12 to 90 mg magnesium (Mg) kg^?1 soil. Positive effects on the levels of available manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were also observed.     

Reducing Nitrogen Leaching from Agriculture: An Essential Step toward Protecting the Environment in High Rainfall Areas of Taiwan

ABSTRACT

Reducing nitrogen (N) leaching from croplands is important to protect environmental quality and improve recovery of applied N. To contribute to this broader goal of nutrient management, a simple pot experiment evaluated the potential differences among urea (250 kg N ha^?1), urea+compost (125 kg N ha^?1 from urea + 125 kg N from 8 Mg ha^?1 of compost), compost (250 kg N from 16 Mg ha^?1 of compost) and a zero control (Ctrl), in terms of their effects on apparent N recovery (ANR), mineral N (N_min) leaching and soil retention of applied N. Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were grown in rotation where compost application was not repeated in the 2nd year. N_min leaching was monitored by adding 83 mm and 62 mm of water fortnightly to cabbage and corn crops, respectively for a total of 28 times in a two-year period. Combined (urea+compost) and independent (compost) treatment application retained 1.5 to 2 times higher N, and lowered 2.1 to 4.6 times N_min leaching, relative to independent (urea) application. We conclude that farmers’ practice of fertilization that has an inherent problem of N leaching for high rainfall areas in Taiwan could be improved by proper compost and urea combinations within agronomically recommended rates of N application.     

Soil Quality Assessment under Restorative Soil Management Practices in Soybean (Glycine Max) after Six Years in Semi-Arid Tropical Black Lands of Central India

Vertisol soils of central India are heavy in texture, with high clay content and low organic matter. These soils are prone to degradation and the soil loss is due to poor management practices including excessive tillage. Based on a long-term study conducted for improving the quality of these soils, it was found that management practice such as low tillage (LT) + 4 t ha^?1 compost + herbicide (Hb) recorded significantly higher organic carbon (OC) (6.22 g kg^?1) and available N (188.5 kg ha^?1) compared to conventional tillage (CT) + recommended fertilizer (RF) + off-season tillage (OT) + hand weeding (HW) (OC: 4.71 g kg^?1, available nitrogen (N) (159.3 kg ha^?1). Among the physical soil quality parameters, mean weight diameter (MWD) was significantly higher under LT + 4 t ha^?1 straw + Hb (0.59 mm). The practice of LT + 4 t ha^?1 straw + HW recorded significantly higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (388.8 μg g^?1). The order of key indicators and their contribution towards soil quality was as follows: OC (29%) >, MBC (27%) > available zinc (Zn) (22%) > MWD (9%) > available boron (B) (8%), > dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (5%). The order of the best treatment which maintained soil quality index (SQI) values reasonably good (>1.5) was as follows: LT + 4t ha^?1 compost + HW (1.65) > LT + 4 t ha^?1 compost +Hb (1.60) > LT + 4t ha^?1 straw + HW (1.50). Hence, these treatments could be recommended to the farmers for maintaining higher soil quality in Vertisols under soybean system. Correlation studies revealed stronger relationship between key indicators like OC (R² = 0.627), MBC (R² = 0.884), available Zn (R² = 0.739) and DHA (R² = 0.604) with Relative Soil Quality Index (RSQI). The results of the present study would be highly useful to the researchers, farmers and land managers.     

Determining tolerance limits for restoration and phytoremediation with Spartina patens in crude oil-contaminated sediment in greenhouse

Oil spills may detrimentally damage sensitive coastal habitats, such as coastal wetlands. Successful restoration of oiled habitats primarily depends on the tolerance of vegetation transplants to oil. In this study, tolerance limits of the dominant coastal brackish marsh plant Spartina patens to South Louisiana crude (SLC) oil and its phytoremediation effectiveness on petroleum hydrocarbons in wetland sediments were investigated in the greenhouse environment. Spartina patens was transplanted into brackish marsh sediments contaminated with SLC oil at concentrations of 0, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640 and 800 mg SLC oil g^?1 dry sediment. High oil concentrations adversely affected plant stem density, aboveground biomass and belowground biomass even one year after transplantation. At the 320 mg g^?1 oil dosage, plant belowground biomass was significantly lower than the control although aboveground variables were not significantly different from the control. All plant parameters mentioned above at the 640 mg g^?1 oil dosage were less than 50% of the control. Spartina patens did not survive the 800 mg g^?1 oil dosage. The tolerance limit of S. patens to SLC was estimated about 320 mg oil g^?1 dry sediment. In addition, S. patens transplants enhanced oil degradation in the sediment; concentrations of residual total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the sediments vegetated by S. patens were significantly lower than those of un-vegetated sediments for both the surface and subsurface sediment at the 40 and 160 mg g^?1 SLC oil dosages. Decreases in the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) further demonstrated the capacity of S. patens to phytoremediate residual oil; residual total targeted PAHs in the phytoremediation treatment were less than 20% of the un-vegetated treatment at the 40 mg g^?1 oil dosage. These results demonstrated the potential of phytoremediation with S. patens to simultaneously restore and remediate petroleum-contaminated coastal marsh habitats.     

Mulching With Composted MSW for Biological Control Of Weeds in Vegetable Crops

Compost maturity is one of several issues that the composting industry must face as it attempts to provide a high quality product to the agricultural community. In this paper, we examine the potential for using immature compost prepared from a mixture of municipal solid waste (MSW) and biosolids as a mulch for control of weeds in vegetable crop row-alleys. Two field experiments were conducted with 4 and 8-week-old composts in the fall of 1995 and the spring of 1996. The 4-week-old compost was applied to mulching depths of 3.8 (68 t dry weight .ha^?1), 7.5 (135 t dry weight .ha^?1), 11.3 (203 t dry weight .ha^?1), and 15 cm (270 t dry weight .ha^?1) in the fall, and at 2.0 (35 t dry weight .ha^?1), 3.8, 7.5, and 11.3 cm depths in the spring. Other treatments were paraquat applied at 0.6 kg.ha^?1 and an untreated control. All treatments were applied in row-alleys between raised, polyethylene-covered soil beds. The 8-week-old compost was applied to depths of 3.8, 7.5, 11.3, and 15 cm in fall and to depths of 2.0, 3.8, 7.5 and 11.3 cm in the spring. Untreated alleys served as controls. In the fall 1995 experiment under low weed pressures, the 4-week-old compost applied to 7.5 cm or greater depths completely inhibited weed germination and growth for 240 days after treatment. In the spring 1996 experiment, 4-week-old compost completely inhibited weed germination and growth for only 65 days if applied to a depth of 7.5 cm or deeper due to higher prevailing weed pressures, particularly due to yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.). In the same spring experiment, a 50 % reduction in percentage weed cover was obtained for 240 days with a 11.25 cm deep layer of mulch compared to the control. In the fall 1995 experiment, 8-week-old compost applied at 7.5 cm or depths completely inhibited weed germination and growth for 240 days. In the spring 1996 experiment, 8-week-old compost applied as a 11.25 cm mulch reduced percent weed cover as compared to the control up to 240 days. In general, weed cover and weed dry weight decreased linearly as the depth of the mulch increased.Under these immature composts, inhibition of germination or subsequent weed growth may have been due to both the physical effects of the mulch and the concentrations of phytotoxic fatty acids during the first few days after mulches were applied. At the time of mulching with the 4-week old compost, acetic acid was present at a concentration of 1221 mg.kg^?1 in the fall mulch, and at 4128 mg.kg^?1 in the spring mulch. The same concentrations in the 8-week-old compost for the fall and spring mulches were 1118 mg.kg^?1 and 3113 mg.kg^?1, respectively. In conclusion, immature compost may provide an effective alternative weed control method for row-alleys in vegetable crop production systems. During these experiments, it was observed that man-made contaminants such as glass, hard and soft plastics in the composts were esthetically unacceptable and potentially posed hazards to field workers.     

Estimation of microbial biomass and activity in soil using microcalorimetry

Relationships between the rate of heat output from soil, the rate of respiration and the soil microbial biomass were investigated for 25 soils from northern Britain. The rate of heat output, measured in a Calvet microcalorimeter at 22°C, correlated well with the rate of carbon dioxide respiration. The average amount of heat evolved per cm³ of gas respired. 21.1 J cm^?3, suggests that the biomass metabolism was largely aerobic. The rate of heat output per unit of total microbial biomass was remarkably uniform over a wide range of soils, but showed differences depending upon whether the soil had been stored or amended. Mineral soils that had been stored at 4°C had the lowest heat output, 12.0 mW g^?1 biomass C, compared with a mean of 20.4 mW g^?1 biomass C for freshly-collected soils. Amendment with glucose (0.5% w/w) caused an immediate increase in respiration and heat output, up to 59.4 mW g^?1 biomass C for stored soils and 188.2 mW g^?1 biomass C for freshly collected soils. There was a consistent relationship between the biomass and the rate of heat output from freshly collected and amended mineral and organic soils which gave a linear fit using log transformed data: y= 0.6970+ 1.025x (r= 0.98, P < 0.001) (y=log₁₀ biomass C, μgC g^?1; x=log₁₀ rate of heat output at 22°C, μW g^?1). The overall relationship between biomass and the rate of heat output for all the amended samples was: 1 g biomass C= 180.05 ± 34.61 mW.     

Effect of Adding Flue Gas Desulphurization Gypsum on the Transformation and Fate of Nitrogen during Composting

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding flue gas desulphurization gypsum (FGDG) on the transformation and fate of nitrogen during co-composting of dairy manure and pressmud of a sugar refinery. The ammonia absorption of FGDG was investigated. The changes in compost temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture, organic matter, the C/N ratio, Kjeldahl N, NH₄⁺-N, NO₂^?-N, NO₃^?-N were assessed. The addition of FGDG did not significantly affect compost temperature, pH, EC, moisture, and organic matter degradation. However, the addition of FGDG significantly increased the NH₄⁺-N content in the compost during the thermophilic phase, and the NH₄⁺-N maximal content in the compost with FGDG (CP+G) was 59.9% more than that in the compost without FGDG (CP–G). FGDG was thought to create the formation of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and the cation exchange between NH₄⁺ and Ca²⁺. The NO₂^?-N content in the CP+G peaked on day 15, and was not observed in the CP–G. In the final compost products, the NO₃^?-N concentration in the CP–G was more than that in the CP+G, which was 1451 (CP–G) and 1109 mg·kg^?1 (CP+G) dry material. This might be due to the NO₂^? accumulation in the CP+G, which accelerated N loss in the form of N₂O. There is a strong correlation between N₂O emission and NO₂^?-N accumulation in the composting process. Compared with the original N content in the compost mixture, the N loss in CP–G and CP+G were 15.0 and 10.8%, respectively. These results revealed that NH₄⁺-N conservation effect was improved during the thermophilic phase and the total N loss was mitigated by adding FGDG into composting materials. FGDG could be utilized as a potential amendment to conserve nitrogen during composting.