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Cocomposting biosolids and municipal organic waste: effects of process management on stabilization and quality

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Abstract

The quality of compost made from the organic fraction of municipal organic waste (MOW), in terms of organic matter and nutrient concentrations, is inferior to that of compost from other feedstocks. The aim of this work was to improve the quality of MOW compost by means of cocomposting with biosolids (at ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 MOW/biosolids) and vermicomposting. Vermicomposting (ground beds with worms) treatments were prepared from traditional pile material after 40 composting days; ground beds without worms were also included. Several parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, carbon dioxide production, organic matter, total nitrogen, water-soluble carbon, nitrate, ammonium, and extractable phosphorus, were measured throughout the process. Organic matter in the products at 120 days ranged between 39 and 45%, whereas total nitrogen was between 1.7 and 2%. Considering these parameters, the quality of MOW and biosolids cocompost was better than that of MOW composted alone in a previous study (18% organic matter and 0.7% total nitrogen concentration). Extractable phosphorus was also greatly increased from 128 mg/kg in MOW compost to 542–722 mg/kg in the cocompost. Of the three MOW/biosolids ratios employed, only the 2:1 and 3:1 mixtures were adequate for composting and produced similar product qualities. However, the 2:1 mixture required more turnings and exhibited higher N losses. The improvement of quality by vermicomposting was limited. Compared to traditional piles, it did not affect concentrations of organic matter or total nitrogen. The direct action of worms, measured by comparing ground beds with and without worms, increased nitrate concentrations for mixtures 2:1 and 3:1 and extractable phosphorus concentrations for mixture 3:1.

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Acknowledgment

This research was part of a Ph.D. work funded by a CONICET grant. We thank L. Moller Poulsen (CEB Ltd.) and R. García Cano for their help with pile establishment; P. Diehl and V. Labud for aid with sample processing and analysis; and L. Roselli for assistance with lab work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRUB, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400, Bariloche, Argentina

    C. Tognetti, M. J. Mazzarino & F. Laos

  2. CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    C. Tognetti & M. J. Mazzarino

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  1. C. Tognetti
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  2. M. J. Mazzarino
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  3. F. Laos
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Correspondence to C. Tognetti.

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Tognetti, C., Mazzarino, M.J. & Laos, F. Cocomposting biosolids and municipal organic waste: effects of process management on stabilization and quality. Biol Fertil Soils 43, 387–397 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0164-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0164-8

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