In this review we discuss the transformation of organic matter during municipal solid waste (MSW) composting and the suitability of chemical and biochemical parameters in defining the stability and maturity of the end product. The dynamics of chemical and biochemical parameters, such as several hydrolase activities and water-soluble fractions (i.e. water soluble carbon, water soluble nitrogen, ...

One of the most versatile and remunerative techniques for handling biodegradable solid wastes is composting. Composting refers to aerobic degradation of organic material and is one of the main waste treatment methods used for treating separated organic waste. Microbes play a key role as degraders during the composting-process and microbiology of composting has been studied for decades. Microorg...

Environmental contamination caused by residual antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in concentrated animal feeding operations has drawn increasing attention. This study investigated the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC) and sulfamethazine (SMN) as well as the behavior of their corresponding ARGs through a series of simulated composting tests with swine manure. The results indicate ...

In order to increase the degradation rate of organic materials and reduce ammonia emissions simultaneously during the aerobic composting period, a commercial maturity-accelerating reagent (MAR) was employed. Comparative composting experiments were conducted: Run A with the addition of MAR in the composting mixture, and Run B without the addition of MAR, while some parameters such as organic car...

Four different tests to assess compost stability were compared during green waste composting in windrows at a largescale composting plant. The tests used were: germination index, (based on seed germination); SOUR (specific oxygen uptake rate, respirometric method based on O2 consumption by the microorganisms); self-heating test, (reflecting the energy output from the aerobic process); and Solvi...

Manure composting has gained increased acceptance by the beef cattle (Bos taurus) feedlot industry in southern Alberta, Canada. Unlike fresh manure, compost is often promoted as being "weed-free." Studies were conducted with five weed species in 1997 and thirteen in 1999 to examine the effect of feedlot manure composting on weed seed viability. Weed seeds were buried in open-air compost windrow...

Heavy metals determination in manures provides benefi cial information to predict the availability and the potential contamination of environment. Therefore, a study was carried out to investigate heavy metals changes in livestock manure during a co-composting process. The metals were stepwise fractionated into exchangeable, adsorbed, organically bound, carbonate precipitated and residual forms...

To ensure quick and uniform aerobic stabilization of biowaste through domestic composting and to prevent malodorous emissions, two modifications were made to a conventional steel barrel composter by: (1) providing 0.0125 m diameter openings throughout the sides and (2) placing a 0.0254 m diameter perforated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe in the middle portion of the barrel. The volume of compost...

the aim of this study was to determine the optimum mixture ratios for composting separated cattle manure and pepper plant residues. five 127 liter laboratory-scale bioreactor were used to investigate of separated dairy manure addition on the composting process of greenhouse pepper plant residues. cattle manure is considerably rich in nitrogen. however, composting with cattle manure alone is not...

The fate of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), targeted by the USEPA agency, has been investigated during composting of lagooning sludge. Composting shows efficient decrease of the content and the bioavailability of each PAH. Biodegradation and sorption are suggested as the main mechanisms contributing to this decrease. During the stabilization phase of composting, extensive microbial ...