Changes in Thermophilic Bacteria Population and Diversity during Composting of Coal Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge

The thermophilic bacteria in compost made from coal flyash-amended sewage sludge were isolated and identified using theBiolog system to investigate the effect of coal fly ash on thethermophilic decomposition of sewage sludge during composting. Atotal of 8 species of Bacillus were isolated from thecompost and Bacillus brevis was the dominant speciesduring the entire composting process. The present resultsdemonstrate that the Biolog system is a fast and simple methodfor identifying bacterial species in compost, provided thatoptimum conditions could be achieved for the Bacillusculture. Adding coal fly ash as an amendment did not change thedominant bacteria species during composting, but decreased thepopulation and diversity of thermophilic bacteria species due tothe high alkalinity and salinity. Fewer thermophilic bacteriawere detected in ash-amended sewage sludge compost than insludge compost. There was also reduced metabolic activityobserved in the ash-amended sludge compost from the data ofCO₂ evolution and weight loss. Although ash amendmentdemonstrated a negative effect on the population and diversityduring thermophilic phase, it did not cause any significanteffect on compost maturity.     

Isolation and characterization of novel thermophilic nitrifying Bacillus sp. from compost

A thermophilic nitrifying bacterium, strain T3, was isolated from compost made of animal waste by using a novel selective medium. Strain T3 was classified into the genus Bacillus, close to Bacillus halodurans, but identified as a novel species. To evaluate the effect of adding strain T3 on ammonia emission during the process of composting animal waste, laboratory scale composting was done. Ammonia emission was lower when strain T3 was added than in the control material to which strain T3 was not added. Thermophilic nitrifying bacteria in the strain T3-containing material increased from 6.24 (log value) to 7.55 (log value) on average during the tests. These results suggested the possibility of reducing ammonia emission from composting of animal waste by adding strain T3.     

An Assessment of Bacterial Populations in a Static Windrow Compost Pile

ABSTRACT

Many companies, restaurants, colleges, as well as individual homeowners, have initiated green marketing campaigns, and the composting of food and yard wastes has become commonplace. Thus, it is essential to obtain a more complete understanding of the microbial populations present in such composting processes. The focus of this study was to identify bacterial populations in a static windrow compost pile initiated on a college campus containing food trim and tree debris. Given that the compost pile was initiated during the winter it was uniquely characterized by a pre-mesophilic stage in addition to the characteristic mesophilic, thermophilic, and cooling/maturation stages. Bacteria were cultured from each stage and were identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Dominating the numbers throughout the study were bacteria within the Bacillus and Bacillus-like genera. Actinobacteria were found primarily within the pre-mesophilic stage. The mesophilic and beginning thermophilic stages displayed the most diversity, characterized by several different genera within the Proteobacteria phylum. In contrast, during the late thermophilic stage, only bacteria within the Bacillus and Brevibacillus genera were cultured. Overall, 49 different species within 27 different genera, 13 families, and 4 phyla, were identified and several genera that have not been commonly associated with household compost. Thus, this study supports a role for the continuation of culture-dependent studies to more completely define the bacterial flora involved in various composting processes.     

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。     

堆肥反应器中硫磺对牛粪好氧堆肥的保氮效果研究

利用堆肥反应器严格控制堆肥条件,以牛粪和蘑菇渣为原料进行好氧堆肥,在堆肥过程中添加硫磺粉,研究硫磺对堆肥温度、pH、氮素转化、硫素转化和保氮效果的影响。结果表明,堆肥中添加0.5%硫磺粉（T1）对堆肥温度没有显著影响,高温期（≥50℃）维持5.5 d; 而添加1.0%硫磺粉(T2)能快速升温,但堆肥高温期维持时间4.6 d。添加不同量的硫磺粉均能显著降低堆肥pH,与CK比较差异显著。添加硫磺粉能大幅度增加铵态氮含量,至堆肥结束时,T1和T2处理铵态氮含量分别是CK处理的15倍和24倍,差异极显著; 还增加了堆肥有效硫含量,至堆肥结束T1和T2有效硫含量分别较堆肥初始增加35.7%和77.1%。整个堆肥过程总氮（TN）含量呈增加的趋势,堆肥结束时CK、T1和T2处理的TN含量分别达15.8、16.5和16.9 g/kg,T1和T2分别比CK处理增加4.4%和7.0%。说明在牛粪好氧堆肥中添加0.5%或1.0%硫磺粉,均可起到一定的保氮作用,可大幅度提高堆肥铵态氮和有效硫的含量,改善了堆肥养分品质; 而且添加1.0%硫磺粉效果好于0.5%硫磺粉。但是添加1.0%硫磺粉缩短了堆肥高温期,降低了种子发芽指数,不利于堆肥的无害化进程。     

接种高温嗜热菌剂加快牛粪秸秆堆肥发酵进程

  【目的】  探究添加高温嗜热菌剂对牛粪堆肥的发酵效率、木质纤维素降解和堆肥品质的影响。  【方法】  以牛粪和玉米秸秆为原料进行堆肥。添加嗜热菌剂处理(GLL)的菌剂主要由普通高温放线菌(Thermoactinomyces vulgaris)、地尿素芽孢杆菌(Ureibacillus terrenus)和嗜热脱氮芽孢杆菌(Geobacillus thermodenitrificans)组成,以分别添加两个市售有机肥发酵菌剂的处理(A、B)为对照,同时设不接种菌剂的空白对照(CK),发酵试验为期30天。在堆肥第0、3、7、12、16、23、30天取样,烘干样用于测定堆肥木质纤维素含量,鲜样用于测定含水率、pH、电导率（EC）值、种子发芽率指数(GI)和细菌群落结构。  【结果】  GLL处理在堆肥第2天迅速升温至超高温期(85.8℃),超高温期持续5天;CK、A和B处理在堆肥第3天内进入高温期(分别为56.3℃、59.2℃和57.6℃),高温期分别持续了10、11和13天。接种GLL显著降低了堆肥水分含量,堆肥结束时含水量下降至34.3%,而CK、A和B处理的含水量分别下降至45.4%、43.8%和44.6%,未能满足产品水分标准。GLL处理半纤维素、纤维素和木质素在堆肥后比初始值分别下降81.6%、65.2%和53.7%,对木质纤维素的降解能力明显高于CK、A和B处理。在GLL处理堆肥高温期及超高温期,厚壁菌门细菌相对丰度增加到46.6%。接种GLL菌剂发酵后的堆肥产物的有机质、总养分、机械杂质质量分数及酸碱度、GI值等均满足NY/T 525—2021的要求。  【结论】  接种高温嗜热菌剂能够显著提高堆肥温度,延长高温期持续时间,实现超高温堆肥,降低水分含量,提高木质纤维素的降解效果,快速获得满足NY/T 525—2021要求的堆肥产品。     

In-vessel,Mechanical Rotating Drum Composting Of Institutional Food Residuals

Use of composting technology as a treatment/disposal method for food residuals has been investigated by numerous researchers. This project evaluated the applicability of in-vessel, mechanical, rotating drum composting for food residuals. Three batches of food residuals (plate scrapings) were collected from a Texas prison and mixed with fine-textured soft-wood shavings at 2/1, 3/1 and 4/1 (ratios of shavings to food residual on a volumetric basis) to produce 0.4 m³ of compost blend. Temperature, oxygen, pH, bulk density and porosity were tracked throughout a fifteen-day composting trial. Volume and weight reductions were noticed for all blends. All blends reached thermophilic temperatures (> 45°C) while remaining aerobic during the trials. Initial pH was low in all blends, occasionally reaching 3.55 before returning to optimal levels (6.0 to 7.5) for composting. Temperature increases into the thermophilic range during composting corresponded to increases in compost pH. Most nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na and Zn) increased in concentration during the composting period, with the exception of N, which in some instances decreased over time. Composts utilizing the 3/1 ratio of bulking agent/food residual achieved thermophilic temperatures quickest and maintained temperatures longer than did other blending ratios. From this study, it appears that use of the mechanical, in-vessel, rotating drum composter may be a viable alternative for food residual disposal.     

粉煤灰和钢渣处理多种金属污染的酸性土壤，金属有效性的衰减研究

The objectives of this work were to determine the potential mineralization of various organic pollutants that are likely found in compostable materials during composting, and to evaluate the participation of the microflora of the thermophilic and maturation composting phases in pollutant mineralization. Four composts were used: a biowaste compost (BioW), a municipal solid waste compost (MSW), a green waste compost (GW) and a co-compost of green waste and sludge (GW+S). In each composting plant, two samples were withdrawn: one in the thermophilic phase (fresh compost) and one in the maturation phase (mature compost) to have the microflora of thermophilic and maturation phases active, respectively. The mineralization of 5 organic pollutants, 3 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (i.e., phenanthrene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene), 1 herbicide (dicamba) and 1 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB, congener 52), was measured in a laboratory setting during incubations at 60 ℃ in fresh composts and at 28 ℃ in mature composts. All molecules were 14 C-labeled, which allowed the mineralization of the molecules to be measured by trapping of produced 14CO2 in NaOH. Their volatilization was also measured by trapping molecules on glass wool impregnated with paraffin oil. Mineralization of the organic molecules was only observed when the maturation microflora was present in the mature composts or when it was inoculated into the fresh compost. Phenanthrene mineralization of up to 60% in the fresh GW+S compost was the only exception. Mineralization of PAH decreased when the complexity of the PAH molecules increased. Mineralization of phenanthrene and fluoranthene reached 50%-70% in all mature composts. Benzo(a)pyrene was mineralized (30%) only in the MSW mature compost. Dicamba was moderately mineralized (30%-40%). Finally, no PCB mineralization was detected, but 20% of the PCB had volatilized after 12 d at 60 ℃. No clear difference was observed in the degrading capacity of the different composts, and the major difference was the larger mineralizing capacity of the maturation microflora compared with the thermophilic microflora.     

Nematode succession during composting and the potential of the nematode community as an indicator of compost maturity

One of the key issues in compost research is to assess when the compost has reached a mature stage. The maturity status of the compost determines the quality of the final soil amendment product. The nematode community occurring in a Controlled Microbial Composting (CMC) process was analyzed with the objective of assessing whether the species composition could be used as a bio-indicator of the compost maturity status. The results obtained here describe the major shifts in species composition that occur during the composting process. Compared to terrestrial ecosystems, nematode succession in compost differs mainly in the absence of K-strategists and numerical importance of diplogastrids. At the beginning of the composting process (thermophilic phase), immediately after the heat peak, the nematode population is primarily built by bacterial feeding enrichment opportunists (cp-1) (Rhabditidae, Panagrolaimidae, Diplogastridae) followed by the bacterial-feeding general opportunists (cp-2) (Cephalobidae) and the fungal-feeding general opportunists (Aphelenchoididae). Thereafter, during the cooling and maturation stage, the bacterial-feeding-predator opportunistic nematodes (Mononchoides sp.) became dominant. Finally, at the most mature stage, the fungal-feeding Anguinidae (mainly Ditylenchus filimus) were most present. Both, the Maturity Index (MI) and the fungivorous/bacterivorous ratio (f/b ratio), increase as the compost becomes more mature (ranging, respectively, from 1 to 1.86 and from 0 to 11.90). Based on these results, both indices are suggested as potential suitable tools to assess compost maturity.     

微生物菌剂对油枯堆肥过程中理化性质的影响研究

以油枯为基本原料,采用好氧堆肥方式进行堆肥试验,研究了添加4种不同微生物菌剂的条件下,油枯-稻壳-甘蔗渣堆肥体系中pH、C/N、水溶性NO3--N、水溶性NH4＋-N中的动态变化规律及菌剂对高温堆肥腐熟进程的影响。结果表明,添加菌剂能有效缩短堆肥到达高温的时间,延长高温分解阶段,加快物料水溶性NH4＋-N和C/N降低,pH和水溶性NO3--N含量升高,加快了油枯堆肥腐熟化进程。添加VT菌剂的堆肥处理相比其他在堆肥15d后最先进入高温分解阶段,高温持续时间为10d,提早5d腐熟,水溶性NO3--N含量从71.41mg.kg-1增加到887.4mg.kg-1,C/N的降低有效促进了NH4＋-N向NO3--N的转化,加快了油枯堆肥化进程,有助于提高堆肥腐熟化程度,说明添加VT菌剂的堆肥腐熟效果相对显著。     

Paper Mill Sludge Composting and Compost Utilization

Economically viable and environmentally acceptable methods to recycle organic wastes are needed by the pulp and paper industry. We assessed the potential for composting the Virginia Fibre Corporation's (VFC) combined primary and secondary dewatered paper mill sludge (PMS) and evaluated the suitability of the finished product as a potting soil substitute. Composting treatments were: 1) PMS with no supplemental N (control), 2) PMS + 15 kg N/Mg PMS (dry weight), and 3) PMS + 30 kg N/Mg PMS (dry weight). Composting was conducted for 129 days and treatment effects were evaluated by windrow temperature trends. A container plant growth study employing various particle size fractions and proportions of the control PMS compost and a commercial potting medium (Promix^tm) was conducted in a greenhouse to assess the capability of the compost to support growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), and green pepper (Capsicum sp.). Windrow temperatures were lower with no supplemental N than with the N additions during the initial three weeks and were higher with increasing N rate during the last month of composting, which indicated that the unamended sludge may have been N-limited for maximum biological activity. Reduced temperatures in the high N treatments during the midpoint of the composting process may have been induced by ammonia toxicity. However, cured compost chemical properties and stability were not influenced by treatment and were indicative of good quality compost. The lower amount of plant-available water and greater amounts of plant-available nutrients supplied by the compost than the commercial potting medium resulted in less dry matter produced by all plants except green pepper, whose higher nutrient needs were supplied better by the compost than the commercial potting medium alone. Therefore, the paper mill sludge compost may best be used as an organic fertilizer, soil amendment, or supplemental nutrient source for potting media, rather than as a potting medium alone.     

Application of respiration and FDA hydrolysis measurements for estimating microbial activity during composting processes

Olive-tree leaves (OL) were mixed with olive press cake (OPC) and extracted olive press cake (EPC) at 1:1 dw/dw ratios to prepare two composting mixtures (OL+OPC and OL+EPC). Both CO₂–C evolution and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, determined as estimates of the microbial activity during composting, were related to temperature fluctuations in the compost piles, showing greater values at the temperature peaks, compared to the end, of each thermophilic phase. This, however, was only shown after handling and incubating samples at the temperatures of the compost mixtures at the sampling times and not at a low standard temperature. Incubating samples from thermophilic phases at low standard temperatures resulted in underestimation of the microbial activity occurring during composting. The effect of incubation temperature was less dramatic for FDA hydrolysis compared to CO₂–C evolution measurements, probably reflecting the reduced dependence of enzymes involved in FDA hydrolysis on the respective temperatures. However, FDA hydrolysis was a less sensitive indicator of microbial activity, probably due to extracellular cleavage of fluorescein by persistent esterases, at lowered microbial activity phases. Total microbial biomass, estimated by the fumigation–extraction method, was not consistently related to temperature fluctuations during composting and showed a clear increase at the end of composting, probably resulting from a large slow-growing mycelial community colonising the end products. Since high temperatures did not induce significant non-microbial CO₂–C release and FDA degradation, we propose the performance of microbial activity measurements during thermophilic composting phases at the actual temperatures evolving in the composts.     

Compost Recipe Development and Weed Seed Viability Evaluation with Cranberry Leaves

A small-pile demonstration study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of composting cranberry leaves on commercial cranberry farms in Southeastern Massachusetts. The recipe ratios tested were: 20:0:0 (cranberry leaves only), 10:10:2, and 10:10:1 (leaves:horse manure and bedding:fish hydrolysate). Both mixed recipes generated thermophilic temperatures (between 43-66°C for at least 20 d), conditions known to destroy many plant pathogens and weed seeds. Analysis of leaf samples indicated that all three recipes were more acidic than most other types of compost (values below pH 6). Nitrogen levels were at or below the low-end (0.45-0.75% N) of the typical level seen with most compost (1% N). The final C:N ratios (22:1 to 38:1) were within the acceptable range for many uses. The mixed piles attained thermophilic temperatures for sufficient duration to prevent germination of the seven species of weeds tested. Leaf residue levels for eight common cranberry pesticides were also determined. The insecticide, chlorpyrifos, and the metabolite of the herbicide dichlobenil, BAM (2,6-dichlorobenzamide), were detected at levels below food tolerance and slightly above the food tolerance threshold, respectively. These levels were within a range that would allow the pursuit of commercial development of the compost since ingestion is not an anticipated end-product use. The data from this preliminary demonstration study would suggest that the composted product would be acceptable for use on-farm as well as for distribution to other off-farm sites, but additional replicated research studies are warranted.     

Use of Sulfur to Control pH in Composts Derived from Olive Processing By-products

Two composts were prepared from olive press cake (OPC) repeatedly turned and moistened with either olive mill wastewater (OPC+OMW) or water (OPC+W). When phytotoxicity was drastically reduced and the pH of the composts had reached 8.6 and 7.55 respectively, elemental sulfur was added at 0.9% of dry weight to the OPC+OMW compost and at five different doses (0.1 – 1.0% of dry wt) to the OPC+W compost. During the following six months, an exponential pH decline was observed in both compost materials. The pH reached a final value of 5.8 in the OPC+OMW compost whereas a pH decline related to the amount of added sulfur was observed in the OPC+W compost (final values from 6.8 to 4.3). Over 80% of the pH decline occurred during the first two months following the sulfur addition. Sulfur was applied following the stabilization of the material in the case of OPC+W. No phytotoxic effects of the final products were observed at sulfur application doses up to 0.5% of dry compost weight, but a significant germination index reduction was observed at the 1% dose, probably related to the increased conductivity of the compost leachate. Sulfur was applied before stabilization of the compost material, in the case of OPC+OMW, to also investigate the effects of sulfur addition on the composting process. A thermophilic phase similar to that observed after the last OMW application exceeding 50°C followed, and no effects on microbial activity profiles of the compost were observed. The results indicate that small amounts of elemental sulfur may efficiently control high pH values in the final compost products and could be safely applied at late composting stages or after composting. This may broaden the utilization of these composts in potting media and alkaline soils.     

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.     

不同处理对高含水率奶牛粪便好氧堆肥的影响

针对奶牛养殖场粪便含水率高,堆肥处理成本高的特点,采用以干燥玉米秸秆为调理剂,在较高初始含水率条件下（70%～80%）,进行了强制通风堆肥槽和翻转式堆肥仓的对比试验,并且探讨了晾晒脱水作为预处理对堆肥效果的影响。结果表明,各处理堆体升温迅速,且均在50℃以上维持8～12d,满足堆肥无害化的卫生标准（GB7959—1987）要求。至堆肥结束时,各处理含水率均降至40%以下,C/N均降至20以下,WSOC均低于16g·kg-1,NH4＋-N含量均低于0.4g·kg-1;除采用堆肥槽在初始含水率为65%下堆肥NH4＋-N/NO3--N〉3尚未腐熟完全外,其他处理NH4＋-N/NO3--N均小于0.5,腐熟情况较好;所有处理的GI均大于50%,其中采用堆肥槽在较高初始含水率堆肥和晾晒预处理后堆肥GI已达80%,基本消除了植物毒性。采用较为开放的堆肥槽时,以玉米秸秆作调理剂,在较高的初始含水率条件下堆肥效果更好;以晾晒脱水作为预处理后堆肥,可减少所需调理剂的用量,节约了堆肥的成本。     

Wood Chip Biofilter Performance of Ammonia Gas From Composting Manure

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of wood chip biofilter properties and the depth of biofilter media, on ammonia emissions during high rate composting of dairy manure mixed with bulking agents. The composting and biofiltration process consisted of two series of tests. Experimental trials lasted three weeks and were composted in a 605 L pilot-scale reactor vessel. Initial conditions of composting and biofiltration process between each of two sets appeared to be similar. The experimental design used replication of three biofilter vessels of wood chips in two series of biofilter medium(total of six tests). The ammonia laden emissions from the composting mixture were passed through biofilter media and collected in the boric acid trap from the compost reactor and biofilter vessels. Temperatures in the compost and biofilter, ammonia emissions, and pressure drop across the biofilter media were monitored throughout all runs. Material masses, moisture contents, pH and various chemical properties were determined for initial and final samples from all runs. Results indicated that ammonia emission was influenced by the depth of biofilter media. Optimum biofilter media depth in a closed wood chip biofilter was 40 cm for the ammonia concentration of allowable condition of less than 50 ppm.     

Composting of Source-Separated Household Organics At Different Oxygen Levels: Gaining an Understanding of the Emission Dynamics

Source-separated household organics were composted in a reactor at three oxygen levels, 16%, 2.5% and 1% in the compost gas. Short-chained fatty acids were initially present in the compost material, and were also produced during the mesophilic phase at all three oxygen levels. This indicated that partial anaerobic conditions existed. No NH₃ emissions occurred during the mesophilic phase due to acidic conditions. Composting at 2.5% and 1% O₂ concentrations prolonged the mesophilic phase and reduced the microbial activity as compared to 16% O₂. This led to delayed and decreased emissions of NH₃. Nitrous oxide was not formed during thermophilic conditions. Methane, which was measured at 2.5% and 1% O₂, was only found during thermophilic conditions. The emission of methane indicates that anaerobic conditions occurred during the thermophilic phase. The main reactions regulating pH during composting were outlined involving the ion species VFA, NH₄⁺/NH₃ and CO₂/HCO₃^?/CO₃^2?.     

The Impact of Various Contaminants on the Trace Metal Content of Compost

The trace metal content of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost affects the quality and potential end uses of the finished product. The impact of typical contaminants found in the organic fraction of MSW on the trace metal content of compost was investigated. Contaminants including alkaline batteries, galvanized nails, zinc-plated screws, copper wires, and electronic cables were exposed to a thermophilic composting process for three weeks. The increase in trace metal content in the compost product was measured at the end of the composting process. The results showed that low-quality alkaline batteries, galvanized nails, zinc-plated nails, and copper wires had a significant impact on the zinc, copper, arsenic, lead, and cobalt contents of compost. Copper wires showed the highest impact on copper content, which was 52% of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Category A limit in the final compost. Galvanized nails contributed to final levels of zinc reaching 30% of the CCME Category A limit. To ensure that CCME Category A criteria can be achieved, it is recommended that contaminants made from bare copper or coated with zinc be removed from the composting feedstock.     

Changes in Chemical,Physical and Biological Properties Of Passively-Aerated Cocomposted Poultry Litter And Municipal Solid Waste Compost

Cocomposting of poultry litter with municipal solid waste compost (MSW) was evaluated as a means to stabilize nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry litter and to produce a stable organic soil amendment. Four passively aerated compost piles were established by mixing fixed weight ratios of MSW and composted poultry litter (21:1, 6:1, 3:1, 1:1); moisture was adjusted to 50 percent by weight at pile establishment. These ratios represented a range of initial C:N (26-12) and C:P (150-50) ratios. Composting process parameters monitored over eight months included temperature, oxygen and moisture contents, pH, electrical conductivity, C:N:P ratios, microbial respiration and diversity. Initial feedstock ratios had no significant effect on temperature in the thermophilic phase of composting. After one year of composting, microbial respiration in 21:1 and 6:1 mixtures was high relative to 3:1 and 1:1 mixtures suggesting slow maturation in piles with high MSW content. Salmonella sp. and coliform organisms were detectable for up to 47 days. Results suggest that MSW has potential as a carbon feedstock for poultry litter composting when used in moderate amounts.