A new method for conservation of nitrogen in aerobic composting processes

Several factors, such as pH, C/N ratio, temperature, mixing and turning, and aeration rate, could affect the loss of ammonia in composting reactions. Substantial loss of ammonia can reduce the nutrient value of the compost product and may lead to a severe odor problem in the composting facility. A new method for conservation of ammonia in composting was proposed and tested in this study. The ammonia being produced during the composting was precipitated into struvite crystals by addition of Mg and P salts. Ammonia volatilization was greatly reduced by this method and it also contributed to a remarkable increase in total ammoniacal-N (TAN) content in the compost, reaching up to 1.4% of dry mass. This value of TAN content was 3-5 times higher than that in normal compost. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the formation of struvite crystals in the aerobic composting process.     

Effects of struvite formation and nitratation promotion on nitrogenous emissions such as NH3, N2O and NO during swine manure composting

To reduce nitrogenous emissions from composting, two different countermeasures were applied simultaneously in swine manure composting. One was forming struvite by adding Mg and P at the start of composting, and the other was to promote nitratation (nitrite being oxidized nitrate) by adding nitrite-oxidizing bacteria after the thermophilic phase of composting. In the laboratory- and mid-scale composting experiments, 25-43% of NH3, 52-80% of N2O and 96-99% of NO emissions were reduced. From the nitrogen balance, it was revealed that the struvite formation reduced not only NH3, but also other nitrogenous emissions except N2O. The amount of total nitrogen losses was reduced by 60% by the two combined countermeasures, against 51% by the struvite formation alone. However, the nitratation promotion dissolved struvite crystals due to the pH decline, diminishing the effect of struvite as a slow-release fertilizer.     

Heat inactivation of Salmonella spp. in fresh poultry compost by simulating early phase of composting process

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of moisture on thermal inactivation of Salmonella spp. in poultry litter under optimal composting conditions. Methods and Results: Thermal inactivation of Salmonella was studied in fresh poultry compost by simulating early phase of composting process. A mixture of three Salmonella serotypes grown in Tryptic soy broth with rifampin (TSB‐R) was inoculated in fresh compost with 40 or 50% moisture at a final concentration of c. 7 log CFU g^?1. The inoculated compost was kept in an environmental chamber which was programmed to rise from room temperature to target composting temperatures in 2 days. In poultry compost with optimal moisture content (50%), Salmonella spp. survived for 96, 72 and 24 h at 50, 55 and 60°C, respectively, as compared with 264, 144 and 72 h at 50, 55 and 60°C, respectively, in compost with suboptimal moisture (40%). Pathogen decline was faster during the come‐up time owing to higher ammonia volatilization. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that Salmonella spp. survived longer in fresh poultry compost with suboptimal moisture of 40% than in compost with optimal moisture of 50% during thermophilic composting. High nitrogen content of the poultry compost is an additional factor contributing to Salmonella inactivation through ammonia volatilization during thermal exposure. Significance and Impact of the Study: This research validated the effectiveness of the current composting guidelines on Salmonella inactivation in fresh poultry compost. Both initial moisture level and ammonia volatilization are important factors affecting microbiological safety and quality of compost product.     

Nitrogen loss in chicken litter compost as affected by carbon to nitrogen ratio and turning frequency

The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and turning frequency (TF) on the loss of total nitrogen (TN) during composting of chicken litter (a mixture of chicken manure, waste feed, feathers and sawdust) with a view to producing good quality compost. Carbon to nitrogen ratios of 20:1, 25:1 and 30:1 and TF of 2, 4 and 6 days were experimented. The initial physico-chemical properties of the litter were determined. During the composting process, moisture level in the piles was periodically replenished to 55% and the temperature, pH and TN of the chicken litter were periodically monitored. Also, the dry matter (DM), total carbon (TC), total phosphorus (P) and total potassium (K) were examined at the end of composting. The results showed that both C:N ratio and TF had significant (p < or = 0.05) effect on pile temperature, pH changes, TN, TC, P and K losses while DM was only affected (p < or = 0.05) by C:N ratio. All treatments reached maturation at about 87 days as indicated by the decline of pile temperatures to near ambient temperature. Losses of TN, which were largely attributed to volatilization of ammonia (NH3), were highest within the first 28 days when the pile temperatures and pH values were above 33 degrees C and 7.7, respectively. Moisture loss increased as C:N ratio and TF increased. In conclusion, the treatment with a combination of 4 days TF and C:N ratio 25:1 (T4R25) had the minimum TN loss (70.73% of the initial TN) and this indicated the most efficient combination.     

Isolation of thermophilic ammonium-tolerant bacterium and its application to reduce ammonia emission during composting of animal wastes

A thermophilic bacterium, strain TAT105, was isolated from compost made of animal wastes. TAT105 had high tolerance to ammonium nitrogen up to 1200 mM, and highly assimilated nitrogen during the growth on swine feces. The strain was classified into Bacillus, close to Bacillus pallidus. To evaluate the effect of adding TAT105 to ammonia (NH3) emission during the composting process of animal wastes, laboratory scale composting was done. NH3 emission tended to be lower and nitrogen loss was smaller in the TAT105-added material than in the control material to which TAT105 was not added. Thermophilic ammonium-tolerant bacteria in the TAT105-added material increased to about 8x10(9) CFU/g of dry matter on the average during the tests, and most of them were judged to be TAT105 from morphological colony discrimination. These results suggested the possibility of reducing NH3 emission from composting of animal wastes by adding TAT105.     

Characterization of dairy cattle manure/wallboard paper compost mixture

The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of manufacturing wallboard paper scraps as an alternative bulking agent for dairy cattle manure composting. The characteristics of the composting process were studied based on the changes in physico-chemical parameters and final compost quality. Composting of dairy cattle manure with wallboard paper was performed in a 481-L cylindrical reactor with vacuum-type aeration. Rapid degradation of organic matter was observed during the thermophilic stage of composting due to high microbial activity. High temperature and alkaline pH conditions promoted intense ammonia emission during the early stage of composting. The number of mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms were found to be affected by changes in temperature at different composting stages. The total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) concentrations of the mixture did not change significantly after 28days of composting. However, the presence of gypsum in the paper scraps increased the calcium content of the final compost. The wallboard paper had no phyto-inhibitory effects as shown by high germination index of final compost (GI=99%).     

Nitrogen transformation during thermophilic composting

Nitrogen transformation of sewage sludge composting without or with rice husks as a bulking agent was investigated. When rice husks were added, nitrogen loss was reduced. Garbage and fish residue were also composted to compare the ammonia volatilization with sewage sludge. Conversion of carbon and that of nitrogen were correlated with the change of the C/N ratio of initial composting materials. Sawdust and bark were found to be efficient bulking agents to reduce the loss of nitrogen due to volatilization of ammonia during composting.     

Co-composting solid swine manure with pine sawdust as organic substrate

The main objectives of this work were to investigate the evolution of the principal physicochemical properties, i.e., bulk temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture content, total organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus, in co-composting pine sawdust with increasing percentages of fresh solid swine manure, and thus to evaluate the most desirable manure proportion for producing organic substrates in consideration of the quality of the resulted compost. The composting was in four identical 100.5l lab vessels, using 5% each tea leaves and herb residues as conditioners. The swine manure was added in the trials at 20%, 30%, 40%, respectively, and was substituted in the control with 30% lake sludge corrected by 0.5% urea. The initial humidity of each treatment was 60+/-2%. While being aerated actively at approximately 0.3m(3)/min at intervals of 10 min/h, the mixture was composted for 29 days. The results indicated that N and P decomposition primarily occurred in the mesophilic phase, while organic carbon decomposed in the thermophilic phase and 30% swine manure with initial C/N ratio of about 40 was more desirable for composting organic substrates.     

玉米秸秆堆肥的田间积制和原位还田肥效

针对我国西南丘陵山区玉米秸秆随处堆放或就地焚烧,既浪费资源又污染空气的情况,研究一种适合当地有机肥就地积制利用的方法.试验将玉米秸秆直接堆放于田边地角,接种菌剂,添加增氮和保氮剂,覆盖薄膜,腐熟后的堆肥配施化肥原位施入烟地.结果表明: 与对照(自然堆肥,CK)相比,生物堆肥(玉米秸秆+菌剂+增氮剂+保氮剂+覆盖薄膜)的物料升温快(2～3 d,>35 ℃),高温期(≥50 ℃)持续时间长(约15 d),降温慢;微生物种群在高温期减少,但细菌数量比CK高2～3个数量级;经90 d的积制,玉米秸秆呈深褐色或黑色,为碎屑或粉末状态,完全腐熟,含水量低于25%, pH 6.14,活性有机质和氮磷钾养分含量显著高于CK.在烤烟栽培中,生物堆肥配施50%的化肥可显著提高烟叶产量、均价、产值,改善烟叶品质.说明这种生物堆肥方式实现了玉米秸秆资源化利用,消除了由此引起的空气污染,适合于丘陵山区.     

The Occurrence of Biogenic Calcian Struvite, (Mg, Ca)NH4PO4.6H2O, as Intracellular Crystals in Paramecium

ABSTRACT. Intracellular crystals are conspicuous refractile "inclusion bodies" commonly found in many protozoans, but very few have been identified mineralogically. We have isolated crystals from axenically grown mass cultures of Paramecium tetraurelia , and purified them using differential centrifugation. The crystals' structure and chemistry were analyzed using x-ray powder diffraction and energy-dispersive electron microprobe techniques. The morphology was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The crystals were identified as the orthorhombic mineral, calcian struvite, (Mg, Ca)NH₄PO₄.6H₂O. Struvite from P. tetraurelia exhibited a variety of crystal habits, including hemimorphic forms, epitactic overgrowths and several types of twins. A linear correlation between computed hydration number and Mg content suggests that the crystal composition may reflect the range of conditions under which struvite nucleation and growth occur. The mineral struvite also occurs in association with guano and other rich organic products, and can be biologically induced to precipitate extracellularly. Extracellular struvite has been well characterized in pathogenic calculi (kidney stones) of humans and cats, where precipitation is enhanced by bacterial urease activity that produces ammonia in the urinary tract. This is the first study demonstrating that struvite is also biologically controlled to form as an intracellular mineral. These crystals may have formed within lipid-rich, membrane-bound vesicles in Paramecium .     

静态好氧高温牛粪堆肥中nirK型反硝化细菌群落动态变化

【背景】堆肥过程中,不同反硝化微生物相互作用产生大量气态氮,不仅导致氮素流失使得堆肥肥效降低,而且造成环境污染。但是目前关于堆肥中反硝化细菌群落结构变化,尤其是群落结构与堆肥理化因子间相关性方面的报道较为欠缺。【目的】对堆肥中反硝化细菌进行研究,旨在揭示反硝化细菌群落动态变化,为深入理解堆肥氮循环机理提供科学数据。【方法】设计一种静态好氧高温堆肥技术处理牛粪和水稻秸秆,利用高通量测序技术研究堆肥中nirK型反硝化细菌群落组成的动态变化,并分析优势反硝化细菌菌属与理化指标之间的相关性。【结果】堆肥全程共17d,各项堆肥理化指标以及生物学指标表明堆肥已经基本腐熟。高通量测序结果表明,在堆肥的不同阶段nirK型反硝化细菌群落结构差异显著。门水平上,堆肥中反硝化细菌属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和一未分类门;目水平上,优势类群主要属于根瘤菌目(Rhizobiales)、红杆菌目(Rhodobacterales)和伯克氏菌目(Burkholderiales),其中根瘤菌目(Rhizobiales)的种类最多,而伯克氏菌目(Burkholderiales)的相对丰度最高。Spearman相关性分析表明未分类门的反硝化细菌和未分类科根瘤菌目的反硝化细菌与全碳、碳氮比、含水率以及pH呈显著负相关(P0.05),与凯氏氮和硝态氮呈显著正相关(P0.05);其他优势菌属与全碳、碳氮比、含水率以及pH呈显著正相关(P0.05),与凯氏氮和硝态氮呈显著负相关(P0.05);未分类科伯克氏菌目的反硝化细菌、未分类纲变形菌门的反硝化细菌、产碱杆菌科的Pusillimonas属和副球菌属(Paracoccus)与铵态氮显著相关(P0.05)。【结论】静态好氧高温堆肥技术可以缩短堆肥周期。在堆肥的不同阶段nirK型反硝化细菌群落结构差异显著,并且该菌群落结构的变化受到堆肥理化因子的显著影响。本研究有助于揭示堆肥中氮素转化规律,并为改进堆肥工艺提供理论依据。     

Composting of high moisture content swine manure with corncob in a pilot-scale aerated static bin system

Pilot composting experiments of swine manure with corncob were conducted to evaluate the performance of the aerated static bin composting system. Effects of temperature control (60 and 70 degrees C) and moisture content (70% and 80%) were monitored on the composting by measuring physical and chemical indexes. The results showed that (1) the composting system could destroy pathogens, converted nitrogen from unstable ammonia to stable organic forms, and reduced the volume of waste; (2) significant difference of NH(4)(+)-N (P(12) = 0.074), and (NO(3)(-) + NO(2)(-))-N (P(12) = 0.085) was found between the temperature control treatments; (3) anaerobic reaction in the treatment with 80% moisture content resulted in significant difference of pH (P(23) = 0.006), total organic matter (P(23) = 0.003), and germination index (P(23) = 0.040) between 70% and 80%. Therefore, the optimum initial moisture content was less than 80% with the composting of swine manure and corncob by using the composting system.     

Archaeal community dynamics and detection of ammonia-oxidizing archaea during composting of cattle manure using culture-independent DNA analysis

The composting process is carried out under aerobic conditions involving bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Little is known about the diversity of archaeal community in compost, although they may play an important role in methane production and ammonia oxidation. In the present study, archaeal community dynamics during cattle manure composting were analyzed using a clone library of the archaeal 16S rRNA gene. The results indicated that methane-producing archaea (methanogen) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) may be the dominant microbes throughout the composting. The community consisted primarily of Methanocorpusculum-like and Methanosarcina-like sequences until day 2, while the number of Candidatus Nitrososphaera-like sequences increased from day 6 to day 30. Methanosarcina thermophila-like sequences were dominant from day 2, suggesting that M. thermophila-like species can adapt to increasing temperature or nutrient loss. A denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the archaeal amoA genes revealed that the dominant amoA gene sequence with 99% homology to that of Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis was identical to those obtained from a different composting facility. These data suggested that AOA may play a role in ammonia oxidation in several composting practices. Our results provide fundamental information regarding archaeal community dynamics that will help in understanding the collective microbial community in compost.     

保氮剂对水葫芦堆肥进程及氮素损失的影响

为研究保氮剂对水葫芦堆肥进程及氮素损失的影响,以切碎的水葫芦为原料,以硫酸亚铁、腐植酸钠、过磷酸钙按75∶20∶5质量比配制成保氮剂,进行35 d的好氧堆肥试验.试验设置占堆体总质量0%(对照,CK)、1%(PN1)、2%(PN2)、3%(PN3)的保氮剂4个处理,对堆肥过程中堆体理化性质、氮组分含量、氨挥发及氮素损失率进行监测.结果表明: 堆肥高温期,保氮剂处理的堆温明显高于CK,堆体含水量则在降温期显著低于CK(P<0.05).堆肥完成后,保氮剂处理的全氮、有机氮含量均显著增加,以PN3处理最高,其全氮、有机氮含量分别比CK高16.3%和13.2%;同时,PN1、PN2、PN3处理的氨挥发总量分别比CK低25.9%、31.5%、42.4%,氮素固定率则分别达31.3%、40.7%、72.2%.表明水葫芦堆肥过程中添加保氮剂可加快启动速度、缩短堆肥时间,并能减少氨挥发、氮素损失.总体上,以PN3处理效果最佳.     

Microbial degradation and humification of the lawn care pesticide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid during the composting of yard trimmings.

The fate of the widely used lawn care herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) during the composting of yard trimmings consisting of primarily leaves and grass is an important unexplored question. In this study, we determined the extent of 2,4-D mineralization, incorporation into humic matter, volatilization, and sorption during the composting of yard trimmings. Yard trimmings (2:1 [wt/wt] leaves-grass) were amended with 14C-ring-labeled 2,4-D (17 mg/kg of dry weight) and composted in a temperature-controlled laboratory scale compost system. During composting, thermophilic microbes were numerically dominant, reaching a maximum of 2 x 10(11)/g. At the end of composting, 46% of the organic matter (OM) present in the yard trimmings was lost and the compost was stable, with an oxygen uptake rate of 0.09 mg of O2 per g of OM per h, and was well humified (humification index, 0.39). Mineralization of the OM temporally paralleled mineralization of 2,4-D. In the final compost, 47% of the added 2,4-D carbon was mineralized, about 23% was complexed with high-molecular-weight humic acids, and about 20% was not extractable (humin fraction). Less than 1% of the added 14C was present in water expressed from the finished compost, suggesting a low potential for leaching of 2,4-D. Very little volatilization of 2,4-D occurred during composting. It is of interest that our results indicate active mineralization of 2,4-D at composting temperatures of 60 degrees C because microbial 2,4-D degradation at thermophilic temperatures has not been previously documented.     

Assessing the effect of biodegradable and degradable plastics on the composting of green wastes and compost quality

An assessment of the effect of the composting potential of Mater-Bi biodegradable plastic with green wastes, noted by GBIO, and degradable plastic (PDQ-H additive) with green wastes, noted by GDEG, was carried out in a lagged two-compartment compost reactor. The composting time was determined until constant mass of the composting substrates was reached. The green wastes composting process was used as control (G). After one week of composting, the biodegradable plastics disappeared completely, while 2% of the original degradable plastic still remained after about 8 weeks of composting. A net reduction in volatile solids contents of 61.8%, 56.5% and 53.2% were obtained for G, GBIO and GDEG, respectively. Compost quality was assessed in terms of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus contents, which were found to be highest for GBIO compost. From the phytotoxicity test, it has been observed that a diluted extract of GBIO compost has produced the longest length of radicle. From the respiration test, no significant difference in the amount of carbon dioxide released by the composting of GDEG and G was observed. This study showed that the quality of the compost is not affected by the presence of the biodegradable and degradable plastics in the raw materials.     

Characteristics of dairy manure composting with rice straw

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of aeration rate, aeration method, moisture content, and manure age on the characteristics of dairy manure composting with rice straw in terms of composting temperature, oxygen consumption rate, emission of odorous gases, and final compost property. It was found that the aeration rate of 0.25 L/min-kg VS was capable of achieving the highest composting temperature, longest retention time of high temperature, and less emission of odor gases. Except for the composting temperature reached, there was no significant difference between bottom-forced and top-diffusion aerations in terms of final compost property. The higher initial moisture content (65%) was more favorable for its higher temperature, longer retention time of high temperature, and more stable end compost obtained. Fresh manure showed better composting performance than the aged manure for its higher temperature reached in less time and less ammonia emission. Oxygen consumption rates were basically similar to those of temperatures. Most emissions of the odorous gases occurred during the first week of composting, therefore, special attention should be paid to this period of time for effective odor control.     

Compost biofiltration of ammonia gas from bin composting

The effects of the manure compost/coconut peels on the ammonia removal efficiency were examined from dairy manure composting mixed with crop residues. The high rapid composting and manure compost biofiltration experiments consisted of three biofilter vessels with one composter. Dairy manure amended with rice hulls and sawdust was composted in 605 L pilot-scale composter using continuous aeration for 19 days. Three pilot-scale manure compost biofilter amended with media bed 500 mm in depth and 300 mm in diameter were built to clean ammonia emission from composter, respectively. The manure compost biofilter media in the three experimental vessels was using a 50:50 by weight mixture of manure compost and coconut peels (MC/CP). The ammonia concentrations at the inlet and outlet biofilter media were measured by boric acid traps as described by Hong et al. [Hong, J.H., Keener, H.M., Elwell, D.L., 1998. Preliminary study of the effect of continuous and intermittent aeration on composting hog manure amended with sawdust. Compost Science and Utilization 6 (3), 74-88]. Results indicated that the mixture of MC/CP performed well as a biofilter media and the ammonia removal efficiency was 100% for the filter depth of 500 mm.     

Determination of degradation of radioactivity and its kinetics in aerobic composting

In this study, the kinetics of disappearance of radioactivity in aerobic composting was investigated. For this purpose, compost materials were prepared by mixing sugar beet wastes, wine factory wastes (grape wastes), straw and biological treatment sludge in different amounts. While alpha-radioactivity was not initially detected in all composting materials, the composting materials had some beta-radioactivity. In the mixtures of sugar beet wastes--straw-biological treatment sludge (1), sugar beet wastes-wine factory wastes (grape wastes)-biological treatment sludge (II) and wine factory wastes (grape wastes)-biological treatment sludge (III), the beta-radioactivity reduced by 82%, 58%, 85% respectively of initial values after 52 d. The beta-radioactivity degradation in the composting process could be represented by first-order kinetics and reaction rate constants of mixtures of I, II and III were k = 0.0693 d(-1) (R2 - 0.84), k = 0.0453 d(-1) (R2 = 0.98), k = 0.0234 d(-1) (R2 = 0.97), respectively.     

Ammonia volatilization during aerobic and anaerobic manure decomposition

Ammonia volatilization, nitrogen immobilization, carbon decomposition and formation of volatile fatty acids was investigated in a laboratory incubation experiment with fresh poultry manure, to which increasing amounts of straw were added. Less than 1% of the manure nitrogen was volatilized as ammonia during anaerobic decomposition due to low pH values. In aerobic manure alkaline conditions prevailed and between 9 to 44% of the nitrogen was volatilized as ammonia. The volatilization courses could be described by a parallel first-order model. Increasing straw additions reduced ammonia volatilization during aerobic decomposition. Straw caused no immobilization of nitrogen under anaerobic conditions. In aerobic manure, nitrogen was mainly bound in organic forms whereas in anaerobic manure about two-thirds of the nitrogen was in ammonium form. C/N ratios in the organic matter of anaerobic manure were higher (33.1–87.5) than in the aerobic manure (9.5–18.0).