The stimulatory effects of surfactants on composting of waste rich in cellulose

The chemical surfactant Tween 80 and biosurfactant rhamnolipid were respectively added to the composting substrate, a mixture of rice straw and bran, and their effects on the composting process were investigated. Samples were analysed for microbial communities of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi, carboxymethylcellulose hydrolysis (CMCase) and xylanase activities, cellulose and hemicellulose fractions, water-soluble carbon (WSC) contents in the substrates, organic matter contents and pH values during the composting process. The results showed that both Tween 80 and rhamnolipid had slight stimulatory effects on the microbial populations of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. In addition, rhamnolipid increased the peak xylanase activity 15% higher than that of the control, while Tween 80 increased the maximum CMCase activity 35% higher than that of the control. As a result of the increased enzyme activities, treatments with Tween 80 and rhamnolipid were of higher WSC contents than the control during the whole composting process. Accordingly, the composting process was accelerated by the surfactants, since the organic matter was decomposed more quickly and the breakdown of cellulose and hemicellulose was better in the treatments with Tween 80 and rhamnolipid.     

Composting of de-inking paper sludge with poultry manure at three nitrogen levels using mechanical turning: behavior of physico-chemical parameters.

De-inking paper sludge (DPS) is rich in carbon (C) but poor in nitrogen (N). Thus, it has a high C:N ratio which limits the composting process. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the effect of three N treatments on DPS composting. Compost piles of 100 m3 were formed by mixing raw DPS with poultry manure and chicken broiler floor litter, giving on average 0.6%, 0.7% and 0.9% total N. The changes in physico-chemical parameters, total weight and fiber losses, and maturity of composting piles of DPS were monitored during 24 weeks. The compost piles had a neutral to alkaline pH throughout the study. Inorganic N decreased whereas organic N increased over time for all treatments. These changes in magnitude were different among N treatments resulting in a final total N content of 0.9% for the 0.6% N treatment whereas final total N contents of 0.7% and 0.9% N were measured for the 0.7% and 0.9% N treatments. The total weight, cellulose and hemicellulose losses were higher in 0.6% N treatment giving the lowest C:N ratio after 24 weeks of composting. However, none of the 24 week-old composts of DPS were mature based on their final C:N ratio and colorimetric test of maturity. Except for copper, their final total trace element contents meet most known standards or guidelines for organic soil conditioners. Overall, 0.6% N treatment was the best to enhance DPS composting using mechanical turning, but a period of more than 24 weeks was required to reach compost maturity.     

葡萄籽对猪粪秸秆高温堆肥中微生物群落与碳氮含量的影响

以猪粪与秸秆(鲜质量10.5∶1)为基础,在自制的强制通风静态堆肥反应箱中进行堆肥化试验,研究添加8%葡萄籽对猪粪秸秆高温堆肥中微生物群落演替和碳氮转化的影响.在堆肥化的30 d里,分7次采集不同时期的堆肥样品,测定堆肥中微生物区系、微生物生理群的数量及堆肥碳氮含量.结果表明：添加葡萄籽使堆肥中细菌数量略高、放线菌数量显著增加、真菌数量明显降低,细菌/放线菌下降;氨化细菌和反硝化细菌数量降低;而硝化细菌、固氮菌和纤维素分解菌数量增多;铵态氮和有机碳含量下降,而硝态氮含量明显提高.堆肥中硝态氮含量与放线菌数量呈极显著正相关关系.添加葡萄籽使堆体升温快且高温期稳定,堆肥含水率波动较小,从而使堆肥高温期放线菌和亚硝化细菌的波动较小,数量较高,有利于堆肥中硝态氮含量的增加.     

长期施肥对新疆灰漠土土壤微生物群落结构与功能多样性的影响

以20a新疆国家灰漠土土壤肥力与肥料效益长期定位试验为平台,采用常规培养法,结合Biolog技术对可培养微生物、生理菌群数量和碳源利用进行测定分析,研究撂荒(CK0)、耕作不施肥(CK)、不同化肥(N、NK、NP、PK、NPK)、化肥配施低量高量有机肥(NPKM1和NPKM2)和秸秆还田(NPKS)等10种处理土壤微生物特征,揭示长期施肥对土壤微生物群落结构与功能多样性的影响。结果表明:(1)可培养微生物:与CK处理相比,CK0处理显著提高了细菌、放线菌和真菌的数量(P0.05),NPKS处理微生物数量则显著降低(P0.05);不同化肥处理的细菌(除PK处理外)、放线菌(除PK和N处理外)数量也有所增加,增幅在8.14%—135.70%和15.30%—44.78%之间;真菌数量(除NK处理外)则有一定幅度的降低;NPKM1和NPKM2处理,微生物数量最高,细菌分别增加了162.20%和173.75%,放线菌增加了34.39%和39.37%,真菌增加了63.33%和488.33%;(2)生理菌群:与CK0相比,CK处理显著提高了自生固氮菌和亚硝化细菌数量(P0.05),显著降低了氨化细菌和纤维素分解菌数量(P0.05);与CK相比,NPKM1和NPKM2处理显著提高土壤中与氮素转化有关的生理菌群数量(P0.05),不同化肥处理和NPKS处理的影响不相同,NPK处理显著高于其余处理(P0.05);(3)微生物碳源利用:微生物活性表现为NK、NPKM1、NPKM2N、NPK、CKPK、NPKSCK0、NP;CK0处理3个多样性指数以及NPKM1、NPKM2和NK处理Shannon(H)指数最高,其余施肥处理差异不显著;糖类、氨基酸类、羧酸类和胺类是微生物利用的主要碳源。(4)聚类分析表明,除NP处理外,施氮处理土壤有较为相似的碳源利用,细菌和真菌与养分之间有较好的相关性,可培养微生物和生理菌群与微生物碳源利用的相关性较差。因此,长期不同施肥对新疆灰漠土土壤微生物群落结构和功能多样性产生了显著的影响,长期耕作不施肥降低了土壤微生物群落结构和功能多样性,不同化肥配合施用对微生物群落的影响不同,NPK及NPK配施有机肥可提高土壤微生物多样性。     

Relationships between biological and chemical parameters on the composting of a municipal solid waste

The aim of this work was to study the combined relationships between biological and chemical parameters with the humification index (HI) and degree of polymerisation (DP) during the composting of a municipal solid waste. During the composting, biological parameters increased during the first 15 days. After the second week, the dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities decreased 64%, 50.1%, 49.6%, 24.1% and 58.3%, respectively, compared with their initial values, possibly due to the decreasing of the water-soluble carbon content (WSC). The WSC contents decreased possibly due to the degradation of the microorganisms as carbon and energy sources. The HI increased (66% compared to the initial values) indicating an increase in the structural complexity of the humic substances. The factorial analysis indicates a relationship between the biological properties, WSC and HI and DP. The linear regression analysis indicates the high correlation coefficients found between the HI and DP with chemical and biological properties, and therefore, it can be concluded that combination of chemical and biological parameters can be used to determine the compost maturity.     

Chemical and biological changes during composting of different organic wastes and assessment of compost maturity

Changes in organic C, total N, C:N ratio, activities of cellulase, xylanase and protease, and microbial population were determined during composting of different organic wastes such as mixture of sugarcane trash and cattle dung, press mud, poultry waste and water hyacinth biomass. There were losses of N in poultry waste and water hyacinth with the effect an initial increase in C:N ratio was observed which decreased later on due to decomposition. The activities of cellulase, xylanase and protease were maximum between 30 and 60 days of composting in various wastes. Similar trend was observed with respect to mesophilic bacterial and fungal population. Various quality parameters like C:N ratio, water soluble C (WSC), CO(2) evolution and level of humic substances were compared after 90 day composting. There was statistically significant correlation between C:N ratio and CO(2) evolution, WSC and humic substances. Significant correlation between CO(2) evolved and level of humic substances was also observed. The study shows that no single parameter can be taken as an index of compost maturity. However, C:N ratio and CO(2) evolved from finished compost can be taken as the most reliable indices of compost maturity.     

Variation in microbial population during composting of agro-industrial waste

Two compost piles were prepared, using two ventilation systems: forced ventilation and ventilation through mechanical turning. The material to compost was a mixture of orange waste, olive pomace, and grass clippings (2:1:1 v/v). During the composting period (375 days), samples were periodically taken from both piles, and the enumeration of fungi, actinomycetes, and heterotrophic bacteria was carried out. All studied microorganisms were incubated at 25 and 55 °C after inoculation in appropriate growth media. Fungi were dominant in the early stages of both composting processes; heterotrophic bacteria proliferated mainly during the thermophilic stage, and actinomycetes were more abundant in the final stage of the composting process. Our results showed that the physical and chemical parameters: temperature, pH, moisture, and aeration influenced the variation of the microbial population along the composting process. This study demonstrated that composting of these types of wastes, despite the prolonged mesophilic stage, provided an expected microbial variation.     

Studies on the microbial degradation of ancient leather bookbindings: Part I

Three kinds of historical vegetable tanned bookbinding leathers (calf, cattle, goat) non-treated, neutralized, or extracted with petroleum ether and/or water were used for studies on microbial attack of old bookbinding leather. The successions of microorganisms (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) on leather samples were studied in conditions of high humidity chambers. It was found that microbial communities overgrowing the samples were different depending on the kind of leather. After 180 days of experiment the calf leather was totally deteriorated by microorganisms. Fungi and actinomycetes played the most important role in this process. Water extracts from the leathers under study strongly stimulated the growth of microorganisms isolated from the leather samples. It is suggested that fungi preferentially attack the tanning substances, while actinomycetes were quite active in the destruction of the leather fibres.     

峡谷型喀斯特不同生态系统的土壤微生物数量及生物量特征

采用样地调查与室内分析相结合的方法,研究了峡谷型喀斯特水田、旱地、草地、灌丛、人工林、次生林6种生态系统不同深度土壤微生物数量、微生物生物量特征及其分形关系。结果表明:峡谷型喀斯特不同生态系统的土壤微生物数量及组成不同,微生物数量均以次生林最高,旱地最低,其组成数量均为细菌放线菌真菌,细菌是土壤微生物的主要类群,数量多达26.66×105—71.64×105cfu/g,占全部微生物比例为87.00%—95.50%,其次为放线菌数量,为1.45×105—3.78×105cfu/g,所占比例为4.21%—12.39%,真菌数量最小,为0.07×105—0.23×105cfu/g,所占比例仅为0.24%—0.61%,不足1%。不同生态系统土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、氮(MBN)、磷(MBP)的含量不同,次生林MBC与MBN最高,人工林MBP最高,旱地MBC最低,草地MBN与MBP最低;各生态系统均为MBCMBNMBP。不同生态系统的MBC/SOC、MBN/TN、MBP/TP分别为0.44%—0.97%、2.13%—3.13%、1.46%—2.13%,差异不显著;MBC/MBN在3.06—6.54之间,其中次生林极显著高于其他生态系统,其他生态系统差异不显著。不同生态系统土壤微生物数量及生物量均随土层加深而减少,且具有良好分形关系,均达到了极显著水平(P0.01)。探讨土壤微生物活性为提高石灰土土壤肥力、促进喀斯特植被迅速恢复提供依据。     

Microbiological aspects of biowaste during composting in a monitored compost bin

AIMS: To determine the microbial succession of the dominating taxa and functional groups of microorganisms and the total microbial activity during the composting of biowaste in a monitored process. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biowaste (vegetable, fruit and garden waste) was composted in a monitored composting bin system. During the process, taxonomic and functional subpopulations of microorganisms were enumerated, and dominating colonies were isolated and identified. All counts decreased during the thermophilic phase of the composting, but increased again when the temperature declined. Total microbial activity, measured with an enzyme activity assay, decreased during the thermophilic phase, increased substantially thereafter, and decreased again during maturation. Bacteria dominated during the thermophilic phase while fungi, streptomycetes and yeasts were below the detection limit. Different bacterial populations were found in the thermophilic and mesophilic phases. In fresh wastes and during the peak-heating phase, all bacterial isolates were bacilli. During the cooling and maturation phase the bacterial diversity increased, including also other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Among the fungi, Aspergillus spp. and Mucor spp. were predominant after the thermophilic phase. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial abundance, composition and activity changed substantially during composting and compost maturity was correlated with high microbial diversity and low activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A more complete overview of the whole composting process of biowaste, based on microbial counts, species diversity and functional groups and abiotic parameters is presented, and the potential of a simple enzyme assay to measure total microbial activity was demonstrated.     

红壤侵蚀区芒萁对土壤微生物群落结构的影响

土壤微生物是反映土壤质量状况的重要指标,研究侵蚀地植被恢复后土壤微生物群落结构的变化对深入认识土壤质量的演变具有重要意义。对比分析了未治理地(Y0)、治理13年(Y13)和31年(Y31)的马尾松林(Pinus massoniana)林下芒萁(Dicranopteris dichotoma)覆盖地(NRd)、去除芒萁覆盖地(Rd)与林下裸地(CK)土壤微生物生物量和群落结构差异,结果表明:林下裸地土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、微生物生物量氮(MBN)和总微生物磷脂脂肪酸量(总PLFAs)的含量均显著低于芒萁覆盖地,且去除芒萁4个月后,MBC和总PLFAs均有降低趋势,表明芒萁覆盖对土壤微生物生物量具有重要影响;林下芒萁覆盖地土壤革兰氏阳性菌(GP)、革兰氏阴性菌(GN)、丛植菌根真菌(VAM)、真菌(Fungi)、放线菌(ACT)的PLFAs含量显著高于林下裸地(Y13例外),去除芒萁4个月后,各值均有有接近林下裸地的趋势;芒萁覆盖地真菌/细菌的比值(F/B)均显著高于林下裸地(P0.05),芒萁覆盖地革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌的比值(GP/GN)、饱和直链脂肪酸/单不饱和脂肪酸的比值(sat/mono)和(cy17:0+cy19:0ω8c)/(16:1ω7c+18:1ω7c)(cy/pre)显著小于林下裸地(P0.05),去除芒萁4个月后,芒萁覆盖地土壤cy/pre显著升高(P0.05)(Y13例外),意味着芒萁覆盖地土壤生态系统更稳定,土壤的养分可利用性更高,微生物生物量和群落结构更丰富,活性更强;皮尔逊相关分析和冗余分析发现,土壤理化性质与土壤微生物生物量和群落结构关系密切,土壤C/N、p H和氮素水平是调控芒萁覆盖下土壤微生物生物量和群落结构的主要生态因子。     

青藏高原东缘高山森林-苔原交错带土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和可培养微生物数量的季节动态

为了了解青藏高原东缘高山森林-苔原交错带土壤微生物的特征和季节变化, 研究了米亚罗鹧鸪山原始针叶林、林线、树线、密灌丛、疏灌丛和高山草甸土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、氮(MBN)和可培养微生物数量的季节动态。结果表明, 植被类型和季节动态对MBC、MBN和微生物数量都有显著影响。不同时期的微生物在各植被类型间分布有差异, 植物生长季初期和生长季中期, 树线以上群落的MBC高于树线下的群落, 而到生长季末期恰恰相反, 暗针叶林、林线和树线的MBC显著升高, 各植被之间MBC的差异减小; 微生物数量基本上也是以树线为界, 树线以下群落土壤微生物数量显著低于树线以上群落, 其中密灌丛的细菌数量最高; 可培养微生物数量为生长季末期>生长季初期>生长季中期。生长季末期真菌数量显著增加, 且MBC/MBN最高。统计分析表明, MBN与细菌、真菌、放线菌数量存在显著的相关关系, 而MBC仅与真菌数量存在显著相关关系( p < 0.05)。植物生长季末期大量的凋落物输入和雪被覆盖可能是微生物季节变异的外在因素, 而土壤微生物和高山植物对有效氮的竞争可能是微生物季节变异的内在因素。植物生长季初期对氮的吸收和土壤微生物在植物生长季末期对氮的固定加强了高山生态系统对氮的利用。气候变暖可能会延长高山植物的生长季, 增加高山土壤微生物生物量, 加速土壤有机质的分解, 进而改变高山土壤碳的固存速率。     

喀斯特峰丛洼地不同退耕还林还草模式的土壤微生物特性

以坡耕地为对照,研究了喀斯特峰丛洼地任豆、香椿、板栗、柑橘、任豆+桂牧1号、桂牧1号和撂荒7种常见退耕还林还草模式下土壤微生物种群数量、微生物量碳氮磷及其分形特征和主要土壤酶活性特征。结果表明,不同退耕还林还草模式土壤微生物种群数量组成不同,除任豆模式外其他退耕还林还草模式均能提高土壤微生物总数量;不同退耕还林还草模式(除任豆模式外)土壤微生物量碳(MB_C)含量极显著增加,撂荒地最高,土壤微生物量氮(MB_N)含量变化范围不大,呈下降趋势,土壤微生物量磷(MB_P)含量的变异很大,香椿、板栗、撂荒和桂牧1号模式显著或极显著高于坡耕地;土壤MB_C与细菌数量的关系最相关(D=-4.07,R=0.81,P<0.01),其次为MB_C与放线菌数量(D=3.82,R=0.44,P<0.05),再次为MB_N与真菌数量(D=0.58,R=0.61,P<0.01),MB_C与真菌数量、MB_N与细菌、放线菌数量以及MB_P与细菌、真菌、放线菌数量之间不存在分形关系;不同退耕还林还草模式(除桂牧1号模式外)均显著或极显著增加了土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶和磷酸酶活性。总之,不同退耕还林还草模式均改善了土壤微生物特性,为喀斯特峰丛洼地脆弱生态系统恢复与重建提供了重要依据。     

不同土地利用方式下喀斯特峰丛洼地土壤微生物群落特征

基于对喀斯特峰丛洼地6种土地利用类型(坡耕地、草丛、灌丛、人工林、次生林、原生林)的土壤微生物、养分、矿物质和植被4组变量35个指标的调查分析,研究了不同土地利用方式下土壤微生物种群数量、微生物生物量C、N、P及其分形特征,以及土壤微生物与植被、土壤养分、矿物质的关系.结果表明:不同土地利用方式下喀斯特峰丛洼地的土壤微生物种群数量及组成不同.微生物种群数量均以原生林和坡耕地最高,人工林最低;3种森林土壤的细菌比率较大,坡耕地、草丛、灌丛的放线菌比率较大,真菌的比率均很小;土壤微生物生物量C、N、P的含量均很高,其中原生林最高;土壤微生物生物量碳与土壤微生物种群数量具有良好的分形关系,而土壤微生物生物量氮、磷与种群数量不存在分形关系;土壤微生物与植被、土壤养分、土壤矿物质显著相关,其中土壤微生物生物量碳与乔木层的Shannon指数、土壤速效氮、Fe₂O₃、CaO含量显著相关.     

Study on dynamic changes of microbial community and lignocellulose transformation mechanism during green waste composting

There are few reports on the material transformation and dominant microorganisms in the process of greening waste (GW) composting. In this study, the target microbial community succession and material transformation were studied in GW composting by using MiSeq sequencing and PICRUSt tools. The results showed that the composting process could be divided into four phases. Each phase of the composting appeared in turn and was unable to jump. In the calefactive phase, microorganisms decompose small molecular organics such as FA to accelerate the arrival of the thermophilic phase. In the thermophilic phase, thermophilic microorganisms decompose HA and lignocellulose to produce FA. While in the cooling phase, microorganisms degrade HA and FA for growth and reproduction. In the maturation phase, microorganisms synthesize humus using FA, amino acid and lignin nuclei as precursors. In the four phases of the composting, different representative genera of bacteria and fungi were detected. Streptomyces, Myceliophthora and Aspergillus, maintained high abundance in all phases of the compost. Correlation analysis indicated that bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi had synergistic effect on the degradation of lignocellulose. Therefore, it can accelerate the compost process by maintaining the thermophilic phase and adding a certain amount of FA in the maturation phase.     

The influence of lignin content and temperature on the biodegradation of lignocellulose in composting conditions

The aim of this research was to study the influence of lignin content and composting temperature on the biodegradation of lignin-containing pulp and paper products in a controlled composting test (European standard prEN 14046). Lignin reduced the biodegradation of the samples, and there was a linear correlation between the lignin content and the biodegradation of pulp and paper products at 58°C. The influence of incubation temperature (35, 50 and 58°C) on biodegradation was studied using bleached kraft paper containing 0.2 wt% lignin and mechanical pulp (stone-ground wood) containing 24–27 wt% lignin. Mechanical pulp biodegraded better at lower temperatures, while kraft paper biodegraded well at all three temperatures. Microbial activity was evaluated by measuring CO₂ evolution and the change in ATP content, and fungal biomass by measuring the ergosterol content during the composting experiments. Kraft paper strongly increased microbial activity during the controlled composting test, but the activity returned to the background level at the end of the composting test. The proportion of sample carbon converted to microbial biomass carbon was considerably higher at lower incubation temperatures. Changes in microbial community structure during biodegradation of mechanical pulp and kraft paper at 50°C were studied by the PCR-based technique denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Changes in the microbial community were observed during the intensive degradation phase of kraft paper. Electronic Publication     

华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林土壤可培养微生物数量对模拟氮沉降的响应

为了解氮沉降对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林土壤微生物数量的影响,从2013年11月至2014年12月,通过野外模拟N(NH_4NO_3)沉降,氮沉降水平分别为对照(CK 0 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、低氮沉降(L 50 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、中氮沉降(M 150 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))和高氮沉降(H 300 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1)),研究了氮沉降对天然常绿阔叶林0—10cm和10—20cm土层土壤可培养微生物数量的影响。结果表明:华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林0—10cm土层的细菌、真菌和放线菌数量均显著大于10—20cm土层,氮沉降未改变原有垂直分布格局。L处理对0—10cm和10—20 cm土层土壤微生物总量无显著影响,M和H处理则显著降低了土壤微生物总量。氮沉降降低了0—10cm和10—20cm土层的细菌数量,且抑制作用随氮沉降量的增加而增强。氮沉降降低了0—10cm土层的真菌数量,但下降幅度与氮沉降量之间无明显规律;在10—20cm土层,M和H处理在夏季显著增加了真菌数量,表明适量氮沉降能有效缓解夏季土壤真菌的氮限制状态。氮沉降对0—10cm土层放线菌数量的影响表现为先促进再抑制,L和M处理增加了放线菌数量,H处理降低了放线菌数量;氮沉降增加了10—20cm土层的放线菌数量,其中M处理的促进作用最大。氮沉降对土壤微生物数量的影响随土壤深度的增加而减弱。     

The microbiology of pine bark composting: An Electron-microscope and physiological study

An electron microscope study was conducted on samples of pine bark taken from stacks during consecutive stages of composting. It was found using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were present in relatively low numbers on the bark surface before composting was initiated. After addition of urea and water to bark heaps, microbial numbers rose, particularly the bacterial fraction. A large number of actinomycetes were seen below the surface of the bark as composting progressed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of bark in the late stages of composting demonstrated the presence of a variety of microbes within the bark cells. The microorganisms were seen, using SEM, to be degrading the surface of the bark chips, and, using TEM, to be attached to the lignified cell walls. Physiological studies on bacteria isolated at different stages of composting showed they had a number of enzymes such as carboxymethyl cellulase that could aid in the degradation of pine bark. The isolates consisted of Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, some of which were spore formers. Most of the isolates, including some Gram-negative non-sporing bacteria, were able to grow over a wide range of temperatures from 30 to 60°C, and, in some cases, 70°C.     

Diversity of Bacteria and Fungi in Aerosols During Screening in a Green Waste Composting Plant

This article outlines a comprehensive analysis of the microbial diversity of aerosols produced during screening in a green waste composting plant using both culture and molecular techniques. Bacteria, thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi were quantified in the aerosols. The structure of the microbial community was examined using a fingerprint technique and DNA libraries. The results show: (i) the very high diversity of bacteria and fungi in aerosols produced during the composting screening stage, (ii) the low percentage of cultivability for bacteria in aerosols, (iii) the abundance of Thermoactinomyces spp. and Aspergillus spp. in compost aerosols.