Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost as a Tomato Transplant Medium

For 3 years, different types of growing media were evaluated in nursery-produced tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv “Atletico”). Five mixtures of substrates were used: old peat (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%), old peat (65%) + MSW compost (30%) + perlite (5%), MSW compost (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%), MSW compost (95%) + perlite (5%) and MSW compost (50%) + cocofiber (50%). Various seedling indices were measured in order to assess the quality of the nursery-produced plant. The quality of the MSW compost used (pH, salinity, organic matter) bore a strong influence on results. Electrical conductivity (EC) values of the MSW compost of over 9 dSm^?1 produced poorer quality tomato seedlings in the mixture of substrates with peat. The use of MSW compost as the only substrate and the mixture of MSW compost with cocofiber had a lower growth index and poorer performance than the standard peat mixture. However, growth and development of the tomato seedlings in the mixture: old peat (65%) + MSW compost (30%) + perlite (5%) were similar to that obtained with the standard mixture: old peat (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%).     

Nutrient Release Dynamics in Soils Amended With Municipal Solid Waste Compost in Laboratory Incubations

Two municipal solid waste composts were added to three agricultural soils developed over different parent material (schist, gabbro and granite) and incubated in two laboratory studies, in order to assess the effect of compost addition in the dynamics of soil Ca, Mg, K and P. Soils and mixtures of soil and compost (2.5% dry weight, roughly equivalent to 60 t ha^?1) were incubated at 25°C for three months in a first experiment, and for five months in a second experiment. The concentrations of available Ca, Mg, K and P were determined throughout both experiments. The soils amended with compost always had higher available Ca, Mg and K concentrations than the soils without amendment. The increases were approximately 800 mg kg^?1 for Ca, 30 mg kg^?1 for Mg, and 150 mg kg^?1 for K. Nevertheless, the concentrations of these elements did not increase with time. The available P concentrations were not increased by the addition of compost, an effect which is attributed both to microbial immobilization and to the P-fixation capacity of the soils. Therefore, the expected release of these elements in parallel to compost mineralization was not observed during the experiments, and the only fertilizing effect of the compost was that of their initial input in available forms.     

Post-Fire State of Taiga Soils and Vegetation of the Khamar-Daban Range (Cisbaikalia)

Eurasian Soil Science - We have studied a naturally burnt forest in the Baikalsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve within the basin of the Mishikha River in the belt of dark-coniferous fir (Abies...     

Formation and Transformation of Soils in the Areas of Sugar Industry Waste Disposal: A Review

Eurasian Soil Science - An overview of modern concepts of technogenesis and soil formation in the decommissioned wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) of sugar factories, as well as trends in soil...     

Restoration of Soils and Vegetation on Reclamation Sites of the Kingisepp Phosphorite Field

Processes of initial soil formation were studied on long-term monitoring plots on dump rocks of quarry no. 3 of the Phosphorite production company in Kingisepp district of Leningrad oblast. Observations were performed in 1998, 2004, and 2014. It was shown that vegetation succession on the plots proceeds relatively quickly, and that the species composition of phytocenoses formed is typical of the areas with soddy-calcareous soils. Soil development proved to be correlated with the development of vegetation. Maximum changes in soil characteristics were observed with an increase in the density of forest vegetation and a decrease in the role of herbs. The molecular composition of humic acids in the studied soils remained stable; in particular, the ratio of aliphatic to alkyl aromatic fragments was virtually constant. This phenomenon could be due to the great amount of aliphatic components in the falloff of coniferous species subjected to humification.     

农村生活垃圾生物稳定预处理对渗滤液产生及污染潜力的影响

为从源头控制垃圾填埋场渗滤液污染,以广州市番禺区猛涌村生活垃圾处理示范基地为研究对象,以猛涌村中转站分选得到的有机垃圾为试验材料,采用生物稳定和淋溶试验研究方法,以未经生物稳定处理的垃圾淋溶试验模拟渗滤液产生为对照（CK）,以生物稳定预处理36d的垃圾淋溶试验模拟渗滤液产生为处理1（T1）,以生物稳定预处理12d的垃圾淋溶试验模拟渗滤液产生为处理2（T2）。通过分析渗滤液pH、氨氮、总磷、COD、水溶性碳等指标的变化,考察生物预处理方法对渗滤液的污染控制效果。结果表明,在10d淋溶试验过程中,T1、T2渗滤液产量比CK分别减少33、28;CK渗滤液pH一直呈酸性,而T1、T2介于在7.0～8.5;T1、T2渗滤液氨氮、总磷、COD、水溶性碳平均浓度分别比CK降低77、63,75、69,73、66,74、69,明显降低了垃圾的污染潜力,垃圾生物稳定程度越高,污染潜力越低。研究成果从生态控制的角度为垃圾填埋场渗滤液污染防治提供了理论依据。     

Ryegrass Response to Mineral Fertilization and Organic Amendment with Municipal Solid Waste Compost in Two Tropical Agricultural Soils of Mali

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of mineral fertilization and compost on the growth and chemical composition of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown on two Malian agricultural soils coming from Baguinéda, abbreviated as Bgda, (12°23′ S, 7°45′ W) and Gao (16°18′ N, 0°). Treatments included non‐fertilized control, NPK alone, NPK + C₂₅, NPK + C₅₀, NPK + C₁₀₀, PK + C₅₀, NK + C₅₀, NP + C₅₀, K + C₅₀, P + C₅₀, N + C₅₀, and C₅₀ alone, where NPK represents the non modified Hoagland's solution and C₂₅, C₅₀, and C₁₀₀ represent the different rates (25, 50, and 100 T/ha) of compost. Compost and mineral fertilization significantly increased dry matter production. The application of 50 T/ha of compost alone increased the dry matter yield by 10 and 17.5% while mineral nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) increased yield by 69.7 and 65% for Gao and Bgda, respectively. The combination of compost and mineral NPK (NPK + C₂₅ for Gao and NPK + C₅₀ for Bgda) affected the highest dry matter yield. For both soils, N concentrations in plants increased significantly with compost rate. Phosphorus and K concentrations in plants varied according to the soil. The application of compost increased the uptake of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and potassium (K from both soils). Increases in soil organic carbon, available P, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, K, and pH were observed in treatments receiving compost. Therefore, compost appeared to be a good supplier of nutrients for tropical soils.     

Fate and Transport of Organic Compounds in Municipal Solid Waste Compost

Four chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), a-chlordane, and bisethylhexyl phthalate (BEHP), were chosen for investigation because of their range of physical/chemical properties and because they have been reported in municipal solid waste compost in the literature. Field studies were performed by applying amended compost, which was spiked with the four chosen organic chemicals, into corn, fescue, and poplar fields in Amana, Iowa.

The Pesticide Root Zone Model II (PRZM II), a U.S. EPA computer code (Dean, et al., 1989), was utilized to predict the potential fate and transport of four chemicals in the unsaturated zone. Model input consisted of meteorological records from nearby weather stations, soil data from the Amana site and laboratory results/literature values of chemical properties.

Results indicate that, due to their relatively low solubility and high hydrophobicity, the chemicals are quite sorptive to the soil/compost mixture and barely migrate vertically in the soil. In five year simulations, the chemicals remained within the rooting zone of the plants and slowly biodegraded. Plant uptakes were relatively small and essentially no leachate reached the groundwater table. Volatilization of PCB and chlordane was significant only for the top soil layer. A field study is being used to verify the modeling results.     

Influence of Mechanical-Biological Pretreatment On the Toxicity of Municipal Solid Waste

Mechanical-biologically pretreated residual waste was tested for toxicity, chemical quality and reactional behavior. Samples were taken from different composting plants at different stages of treatment. Acute toxicity was determined using Daphnia magna (crustacean) and Vibrio fischeri (luminescent bacteria), chronic toxicity was tested with Selenastrum capricomutum (green algae) and Lepidium sativum (cress). Samples were analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters and for biological parameters (respiration activity, gas-generating potential). Toxicity tests were carried out from eluates and toxicity was expressed in German regulatory G-values. The results of this study indicate that high toxicity was observed in untreated MSW samples and in samples with a short treatment period. In most cases toxicity decreased significantly when the treatment period increased and marked differences were observed in the susceptibility among the species. Toxicity varied between a G-value of 1 and 256. For some tests a good relationship was noted between toxicity and high results of conductivity, TOC, COD, BOD5 and biological tests. It was found that high toxicity can influence biological tests, resulting in longer lag-phases and thus leading to misinterpretation.     

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.     

Effect of A Waste Stream Component on the Agronomic Properties of Municipal Solid Waste Compost

Managing municipal solid waste (MSW) compost for agricultural use requires an understanding of waste stream components and how they affect the value of the finished product. We evaluated the influence of disposable diaper content in MSW compost because of the recent concern of the environmental impact of this product. To determine the potential effect of disposable diapers on MSW compost, the ‘normal’ concentration of soiled, disposable diapers in a waste stream was raised from 2 percent to 8 percent. Previous observations indicated that the diapers disassociated during in-vessel digestion and most of the components could not be distinguished from the primary compost. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of additional diapers on the agricultural value of mature MSW compost. Loamy sand and silt loam soils were amended with MSW compost at a rate of 20 percent. Comparisons between the two composts and their interactions with soil type were made on the basis of water retention characteristics; germination and emergence of corn, soybean, radish and lettuce; and yield and element uptake by corn and lettuce at two moisture regimes. Differences between the compost amended soils suggested that the primary benefits of additional diapers were increased nutrient availability and soil water retention, and the foremost concerns were excess total soluble salts and boron.     

Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Mine Soils As Evaluated by Chemical,Biological And Biochemical Properties of Soil

Composts are increasingly used in land rehabilitation because they can improve soil quality and reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers. Their use contributes to an integrated approach to waste management by promoting recycling of nutrients and minimizing final disposal of organic residues that, due to their composition, can pose problems to agricultural soils. We investigated whether compost from mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) could be used to remediate two soils from a mine contaminated with trace elements. One of the soils was less acidic and had a greater content of Cu and Zn while the other had more Pb and a lower pH. The effect of MSW was evaluated by plant growth, trace element leachability, ecotoxicity of soil leachates, and biological and biochemical properties of soils. Growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Victorian) was stimulated in the MSW compost-amended soils compared with respective controls or with acidic soil when limed. After ryegrass had been growing for 119 days, the amount of water-extractable Zn was lower in MSW compost-amended soils, while the opposite was true for water-extractable Cu. Water-extractable Pb increased following MSW compost application to one soil and decreased in the other. The greatest dehydrogenase activity was obtained in amended limed soil, while the number of culturable bacteria and fungi and the activities of cellulase and β-glucosidase were similar in soil that was limed or following MSW compost application. In contrast, urease activity was repressed in limed or MSW compost-amended soils. Leachates from unamended soils were toxic towards Daphnia magna. Liming the very acidic soil led to a decrease in the toxicity of the leachate, but it was only in MSW compost-amended soils that ecotoxicity was no longer detected.     

Redistribution and Availability of Iron,Manganese, Zinc,and Copper in Four Malian Agricultural Soils Amended with Solid Municipal Waste Compost

Abstract

Municipal waste compost can improve the fertility status of tropical soils. The redistribution of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in tropical soils after amendment with solid municipal waste compost was investigated. Four tropical agricultural soils from Mali characterized by poor trace‐element status were amended with compost and incubated for 32 weeks at 35°C. The soil were analyzed at the beginning and the end of the incubation experiment for readily available fractions, organic fractions, and residual fractions as operationally defined by sequential extraction. Readily available Fe increased significantly with compost application in most soils. Readily available Mn was mostly unaffected by compost application. After 32 weeks, readily available Zn had increased, and readily available Cu had decreased. Readily available levels of the elements remained greater than deficiency levels in the compost‐amended soils. Organic fractions of the elements increased after compost addition. The organic fractions and residual forms, depending on the element and the soil, remained constant or increased within the duration of the experiment.     

Effects of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Soil Properties and Vegetables Growth

ABSTRACT

This work investigates the impact of municipal solid waste compost (MSW-compost) application (0, 50, and 100 t/ha) on the growth, and on nutrient and trace elements content in lettuce and tomato plants grown in large, 40-L pots. Our findings showed inhibition of plants’ growth with increasing dose of MSW-compost, compared to plants receiving conventional fertilization. Growth inhibition was associated with a sharp decrease in soil NO₃–N content. On the other hand, a slower decrease in soil NO₃–N content occurred in non-planted pots amended with MSW-compost. These findings provide evidence that N immobilization and/or decreased N mineralization were responsible for inhibited growth by constraining N availability. With regard to the other macro-nutrients, K, P, Mg, Ca, and Fe, their contents in leaves of both crops were maintained at optimum levels. Higher zinc and copper content was measured in leaves of both crops but they did not exceed the optimum range for growth. No accumulation of trace elements was found in the fruits. The content of heavy metals in the tissues of plants grown in MSW-compost amended soil, remained at levels similar to those of the non-amended soil, suggesting that they do not pose a significant risk either for plant growth or public health. The findings of our study suggest that further emphasis should be given on the investigation of the factors regulating N mineralization and availability in order to avoid reductions in crop yield.     

Modification of Soil Water Retention and Biological Properties by Municipal Solid Waste Compost

A compost originating from the organic fraction of MSW, separately collected, was added to a loamy soil at different application rates. Modifications of soil physical and biological properties were studied after compost addition. Water retention properties, after compost addition to soil, were monitored. Organic carbon mineralization was followed during a six-month incubation. Enzyme activities were assayed immediately after compost addition, as well as after incubation of soil-compost mixtures. These properties provided information about the modification of overall microbiological activity and specific nutrient cycles in the amended soil. Water retention, carbon mineralization and most enzyme activities after incubation were increased by compost incorporation. The additivity or nonadditivity of compost effects on soil properties was discussed.     

Biodegradabilities and Microbial Activities During Composting of Municipal Solid Waste In Bench-Scale Reactors

In the design of large scale, in-vessel systems, the biodegradability of the waste, the optimal nutritional conditions, and the length of time required to complete the high-rate phase are important. Because composting is a microbial process, the overall levels and activities of microorganisms influence the rate and extent of degradation. In this study, bench-scale reactors were used to determine the biodegradability of municipal solid waste, primarily office trash, and the effects of nutrient supplementation on biodegradability during six weeks of composting. Supplementation with nitrogen, phosphorus, vitamins, and trace minerals did not increase the biodegradability of the waste. Although the levels of specific microbial subpopulations varied, total numbers of microorganisms did not change significantly.     

植被类型对煤矿区复垦土壤根际微生物的影响

煤矿开采改变了矿区土壤条件、地表植被覆盖和微生物生存环境。植被由于生长条件和根际分泌物的不同,影响根际土壤微生物的组成和多样性。以山西省晋华宫煤矿复垦区侧柏、云杉、樟子松、油松、桧柏5种复垦植被为研究对象,分析其土壤理化性质、根际土壤酶活性和微生物群落结构的差异性,并计算综合土壤肥力指数以反映不同复垦植被的生态恢复效果。结果表明：不同植被对土壤物理和化学性质、土壤酶活性、根际微生物多样性和群落结构具有显著影响,樟子松林具有最高的全碳、全氮含量,为微生物提供更多的碳氮等养分,导致其具有显著高的微生物丰度和多样性;不同植被类型间微生物群落差异性显著,变形菌门、酸杆菌门、放线菌门和拟杆菌门是优势菌门,全硫、容重和碱性蛋白酶是影响土壤根际微生物群落结构的关键因子;土壤综合肥力指数表明樟子松林和云杉林优于其他植被。综上,不同植被对矿区生态恢复的效果具有一定差异,樟子松林和云杉林有助于提高根际土壤细菌多样性和土壤肥力,研究可为半干旱区煤矿复垦区生态恢复的植被选择提供科学依据。     

Determination of Biological Stability by Oxygen Uptake on Municipal Solid Waste and Derived Products

A new scientific apparatus and method are proposed for determining biological stability by oxygen uptake (respiration index, RI), on municipal solid waste (MSW) and derived products. For measuring the RI, a dynamic approach (with continuous aeration) was demonstrated to be more effective than the static approach (without aeration). The validity of the method was tested by comparing carbon losses calculated using both respirometric (carbon losses_resp) and analytical data (carbon losses_anal) during four trials performed on MSW and products derived from it. Carbon losses (expressed as g kg^?1C_i, in which C_i represents initial carbon content) were: 219.0 and 248.0, 67.9 and 57.1, 39.6 and 36.4, and 250.7 and 280.3, using respirometric and analytical data alternately for Trials 1,2,3, and 4. The comparison between respirometric data using continuous or no aeration showed, for the latter, an underestimation of RI of between 70% and 90% that was more evident for unstable biomass leading to more similar values when stabilization occurred. The scientific apparatus proposed made it possible to measure oxygen uptake under autothermal conditions and avoid problems connected with the use of a preset temperature, biomass temperature being a consequence of the microbial activity, as is also suggested by the significant linear regression of T versus RI (R² = 0.84, 0.73, 0.82, and 0.90 for the four trials, respectively). The methods proposed could be used with advantage in the future for biological stability measurements, above all for heterogeneous material such as MSW and its products, thus obtaining respirometric data that better reflect what happens during an aerobic process.     

Municipal Solid Waste Compost Application Improves the Negative Impact of Saline Soil in Two Forage Species

Inappropriate utilization of biosolids may adversely impact agrosystem productivity. This article addresses the response of H. vulgare and P. monspeliensis to different doses (0, 100, and 150 t ha^?1) of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost in a greenhouse pot experiment. Plant growth, heavy-metal uptake, gas exchange, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations and photosynthesis parameters were considered. Results showed that compost supply significantly increased shoot and root dry weights of both species, and this was positively correlated with nutrient uptake. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were positively influenced, especially in H. vulgare at rate of 100 t ha^?1. Furthermore, MSW compost application increased net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (Gs), and water-use efficiency (WUE) in both species. Alternatively, MSW compost amendment increased plant heavy-metal contents but levels remained lower than phytotoxic thresholds. This preliminary study suggests that a MSW supply at moderate doses (100 t ha^?1) could be highly beneficial for plant productivity on saline soils.     

Changes of Chemical Forms of Zinc and Zinc Sulfide During the Composting Process of Municipal Solid Waste

Changes of chemical forms of metallic zinc and zinc sulfide during the composting process of municipal solid waste in oxygen conditions have been determined. Speciation of zinc was carried out by means of sequential extraction. It has been found that contamination of the waste with Zn is dangerous to the environment because zinc accumulates in bioavailable forms - organically bound and carbonate. Zinc sulfide remains mainly in a less mobile sulfide form. The composting process increases the mobility of zinc insignificantly.