Dynamics of the co‐composting of barley waste with liquid poultry manure

Co‐composting of barley waste with liquid poultry manure was assessed by monitoring several chemical and biological parameters related to compost stability/maturity throughout a 103 day period. A compost of solid poultry manure was used as the control, because a compost could not be obtained from the liquid manure. The materials composted reached thermophilic stage temperatures within 4 days, lasting for more than 10 days; thereafter the temperature decreased rapidly to around ambient levels. The initial pH value was around 9 for both mixtures and, despite an initial decrease, high values were maintained over the entire co‐composting process. Electrical conductivity increased with composting time, while the opposite behaviour was observed for total carbon content. Organic matter loss in the co‐composting of barley waste with liquid poultry manure was 35%. In general, the final products showed physicochemical characteristics considered normal for such materials, but pH and ammonia content values were high. The results of a bioassay test performed with seeds of three plant species (ryegrass, wheat and barley) indicated that the co‐compost could be considered mature from a biological point of view, since phytotoxicity was absent for ryegrass and barley. Comparison of these data with those obtained for solid poultry manure indicated that barley waste notably improved the composting efficiency as well as the quality of the final product. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phylloxera mortality and temperature profiles in compost

Temperature data were taken from top, mid and bottom sections of composting windrows to profile windrow temperatures and to assess phylloxera ( Daktulosphaira vitifolii (Fitch) (Hemiptera:Phylloxeridae)) survival during turned windrow composting. Temperature profiles show that temperature in successive windrows can be affected by aspect, vary significantly from top to bottom and can be related to ambient temperature in the surface layer. Temperatures lethal to phylloxera (36–40°C) can be generated in much of the pile for suitably long periods. Variability and sub-lethal temperatures were evident in the bottom and outer surface areas and in pockets within the windrows. Any risk that phylloxera may survive in these areas would be negated by turning the windrow according to the Australian Standard for Composts, Mulches and Soil Conditioners (AS 4454).     

Removal of polychlorinated dioxins by semi-aerobic fed-batch composting with biostimulation of “Dehalococcoides”

A semi-aerobic, mesophilic, fed-batch composting (FBC) reactor loaded with household garbage was used to remove polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The reactor was packed with woodchips as the solid matrix and PCDD/F-contaminated soil or flyash and then operated at a waste-loading rate of 0.5 kg (wet wt) day^- 1. All congeners of PCDD/Fs (initial concentration, 200–830 pmol g^- 1 [dry wt]) were totally reduced during the over period of operation, with a half reduction time of 4 months. Direct cell counting and respiratory quinone profiling showed that the reactors at the fully acclimated stage harbored a high population density of bacteria (10¹¹ g^- 1 [dry wt]) with members of the Actinobacteria predominating. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the population of “Dehalococcoides” and its phylogenetic relatives of Chloroflexi as the possible dechlorinators varied between at the order of 10⁷ to 10⁸ g^- 1 (dry wt). A “Dehalococcoides”-containing dechlorinating culture from the soil-treating reactor was successfully enriched with a model PCDD/F compound, fthalide. 16S rRNA gene-targeted PCR-denaturated gradient gel electrophoresis and clone library analyses showed that this culture comprised at least three major phylogenetic groups of bacteria, Acidaminobacter, “Dehalococcoides,” and Rhizobium. These results suggest that the semi-aerobic FBC process is applicable for the bioremediation of PCDD/Fs and possibly other haloorganic compounds with the biostimulation of “Dehalococcoides” and its relatives as the potent dechlorinators.     

Are compost teas an effective nutrient amendment in the cultivation of strawberries? Soil and plant tissue effects

BACKGROUND: Compost teas are purported to serve as an effective source of nutrients; however, there is little scientific evidence to support or refute this claim. Compost tea infusions made with municipal solid waste compost and ruminant compost were used as amendments for strawberry cultivation and their efficacy was compared to municipal solid waste (MSW) compost, ruminant compost, and fertilizer amendments. A variety of parameters were examined including the nutrient, micronutrient and metal concentrations of soil and leaf tissue, pH, total soil carbon and nitrogen, and mineralized nitrogen. RESULTS: Compost tea treatments provided similar amounts of most macro‐ and micronutrients compared to MSW compost, ruminant compost, and fertilizer treatments and subsequently to strawberry plants. The MSW compost added significantly greater amounts of Ca, Na, and S to soil with increased plant uptake while the ruminant compost treatment plots had significantly greater available soil P. The compost and fertilizer treatments also provided greater amounts of K to soil compared to the compost tea treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In a 2 year study, non‐aerated compost teas were effective nutrient amendments for strawberries compared to ruminant and MSW compost, and inorganic fertilizers. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

国内外过期火炸药的处理现状

综述了当代国内外过期炸药的处理现状,并提出我国处理过期炸药方法的发展方向应当是堆肥化处理。     

Biodegradability Evaluation of Polymers by ISO 14855-2

Biodegradabilities of polymers and their composites in a controlled compost were described. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were employed as biodegradable polymers. Biodegradabilities of PCL and PLA samples in a controlled compost were measured using a Microbial Oxidative Degradation Analyzer (MODA) according to ISO 14855-2. Sample preparation method for biodegradation test according to ISO/DIS 10210 was also described. Effects of sizes and shapes of samples on biodegradability were studied. Reproducibility of biodegradation test of ISO 14855-2 by MODA was confirmed. Validity of sample preparation method for polymer pellets, polymer film, and polymer products of ISO/DIS 10210 for ISO 14855-2 was confirmed.     

Influence of catalyst and temperature on gasification performance of pig compost for hydrogen-rich gas production

The catalytic steam gasification of pig compost (PC) for hydrogen-rich gas production was conducted in a fixed-bed reactor. The influence of the catalyst and reactor temperature on yield and product composition was studied at the temperature range of 700–850 °C, for weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) in the range of 0.30–0.60 h⁻¹. The results indicate that the developed NiO on modified dolomite (NiO/MD) catalyst reveals better catalytic performance on the tar elimination and hydrogen yield than calcined MD or NiO/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. Meanwhile, the lower WHSV and higher reactor temperature can contribute to more hydrogen production and gas yield. Moreover, the char from catalytic steam gasification of PC has a highest ash content of 75.84% at 850 °C. In conclusion, pig compost is a potential candidate for hydrogen gas production through catalytic steam gasification technology.     

蘑菇渣资源的生态高值化利用研究进展

蘑菇渣是食用菌产业的固体废物,磨菇渣中含有食用菌的代谢产物:包括糖类、有机酸类、酶和生物活性物质,数量庞大的微生物群落以及残留的菌丝体,蘑菇渣具有生态高值化利用的潜力,结合国内外文献,介绍了磨菇渣在农业与生态环境修复领域应用研究进展。