Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of sewage sludge composting using a simple aeration method. Two consecutive composting trials (run A and run B) using Japanese sludge and woodchips (1:1, v/v) were conducted in cubic boxes (0.45 × 0.45 × 0.45 m3) made by plywood at Okayama University. Air was forced up through small holes perforated on two open-ended parallel PVC pipes (ø 16 mm, 0.25 m apart) laid at the base. The results show that compost temperatures were rapidly increased to the peak points of 47.4 °C (run A) and 74.8 °C (run B) within the first 2–3 days and varied depending on each composting run and vertical locations. The changes in physicochemical properties with particular attention to inorganic nitrogen (NH4–N, NO3–N) and free amino acid nitrogen (FAA-N) indicated that the biodegradation took place by different mineralization pathways during the composting process. The degradation of organic matter into amino acids followed by ammonification was predominant in run B, whereas the nitrification was greater in run A. A pot experiment using the two finished composts and their raw materials was carried out to study their effectiveness as fertilizer to Komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis). The total plant biomass produced by the composts was similar to chemical fertilizer. The lowering proportions of FAA-N/T-N, NH4–N/NO3–N, and C/N ratios in the composts compared to those in raw materials was found to correlate with the increase in plant biomass.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alvarenga P, Mourinha C, Farto M et al. (2015) Sewage sludge, compost and other representative organic wastes as agricultural soil amendments: benefits versus limiting factors. Waste Manag 40:44–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.01.027
Baca MT, Fernandez-Fígares I, De Nobili M (1994) Amino acid composition of composting cotton waste. Sci Total Environ 153:51–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(94)90100-7
Brewer LJ, Sullivan DM (2003) Maturity and stability evaluation of composted yard trimmings. Compost Sci Util 11:96–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.2003.10702117
Brouillette, Trépanier L, Gallichand J, Beuchamp C (1996) Composting paper mill deinking sludge with forced aeration. Can Agric Eng 38:115–122.
Burge WD, Cramer WN, Epstein E (1978) Destruction of pathogens in sewage sludge by composting. Am Soc Agric Biol Eng 21:0510–0514. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.35335
Chantigny MH, Angers DA, Kaiser K et al. (2007) Extraction and characterization of dissolved organic matter. In: Carter MR, Gregorich EG (eds.) Soil sampling and methods of analysis, 2nd edition. Canadian Society of Soil Science, CRC Press of Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, p 628–629
Chanyasak V, Kubota H (1981) Carbon/organic nitrogen ratio in water extract as measure of composting degradation. J Ferment Technol 59:215–219
Cofie O, Nikiema J, Impraim R et al. (2016) Co-composting of solid waste and fecal sludge for nutrient and organic matter recovery. Resource recovery and reuse Series 3. CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, p. 47
Cofie O, Kone D, Rothenberger S et al. (2009) Co-composting of fecal sludge and organic solid waste for agriculture: process dynamics. Water Res 43:4665–4675
Cooperband LR, Stone AG, Fryda MR, Ravet JL (2003) Relating compost measures of stability and maturity to plant growth. Compost Sci Util 11:113–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.2003.10702118
Diaz LF, De Bertoldi M, Bidlinmaier W, Stentiford E (2007) Compost science and technology. Waste managment series 8. Elsevier, Boston, MA
Doane TA, Horwath WR (2003) Spectrophotometric determination of nitrate with a single reagent. Anal Lett 36:2713–2722. https://doi.org/10.1081/AL-120024647
Eklind Y, Salomonsson L, Wivstad M, Rämert B (2014) Use of herbage compost as horticultural substrate and source of plant nutrients. Biol Agric Hortic 16:269–290. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.1998.10823200
El Fels L, Zamama M, El Asli A, Hafidi M (2014) Assessment of biotransformation of organic matter during co-composting of sewage sludge-lignocelullosic waste by chemical, FTIR analyzes, and phytotoxicity tests. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 87:128–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.09.024
Faithfull NT (2002) Methods in agricultural chemical analyis: a practical handbook. CABI Publishing, Washington
Fang M, Wong JWC, Ma KK, Wong MH (1999) Co-composting of sewage sludge and coal fly ash: nutrient transformations. Bioresour Technol 67:19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(99)00095-4
Garcia C, Hernandez T, Costa F (1991) Changes in carbon fractions during composting and maturation of organic wastes. Environ Manag 15:433–439. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393889
Gigliotti G, Proietti P, Said-Pullicino D et al. (2012) Co-composting of olive husks with high moisture contents: oOrganic matter dynamics and compost quality. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 67:8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2011.11.009
Hara M, Hirose K, Ishikawa H (1999) Detection of free amino acids using paper chromatography for evaluating degree of compost maturity. Jpn J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 70:306–314.
Hue NV, Liu J (1995) Predicting compost stability. Compost Sci Util 3:8–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.1995.10701777
Iglesias Jiménez E, Perez Garcia V (1989) Evaluation of city refuse compost maturity: a review. Biol Wastes 27:115–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/0269-7483(89)90039-6
Jones DL, Kielland K (2002) Soil amino acid turnover dominates the nitrogen flux in permafrost-dominated taiga forest soils. Soil Biol Biochem 34:209–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717(01)00175-4
Karius R (2011) Developing an integrated concept for sewage sludge treatment and disposal from municipal wastewater treatment systems in (peri-) urban areas in Vietnam [Diploma thesis]. Technische Universitat Dresden
Kubota H, Hirai I, Satoshi MF1983) Effects of compost maturity on growth of komatsuna (Brassica Rapa var. pervidis) in neubauer’s pot. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 29:251–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.1983.10434626
Kuter GA, Hoitink HAJ, Rossman LA (1985) Effects of aeration and temperature on composting of municipal sludge in a full-scale vessel system. Water Pollut Control Fed 57:309–315
Lähdesmäki P, Piispanen R (1989) Changes in concentrations of free amino acids during humification of spruce and aspen leaf litter. Soil Biol Biochem 21:975–978. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(89)90091-6
Larney FJ, Olson AF (2006) Windrow temperatures and chemical properties during active and passive aeration composting of beef cattle feedlot manure. Can J Soil Sci 86:783–797. https://doi.org/10.4141/S06-031
Li Y, Li W, Liu B et al. (2013) Ammonia emissions and biodegradation of organic carbon during sewage sludge composting with different extra carbon sources. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 85:624–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.04.013
Liang C, Das KC, McClendon RW (2003) The influence of temperature and moisture contents regimes on the aerobic microbial activity of a biosolids composting blend. Bioresour Technol 86:131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(02)00153-0
Lu LA, Kumar M, Tsai JC, Lin JG (2008) High-rate composting of barley dregs with sewage sludge in a pilot scale bioreactor. Bioresour Technol 99:2210–2217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.05.030
Malińska K, Zabochnicka-Światek M (2013) Selection of bulking agents for composting of sewage sludge. Environ Prot Eng 39:91–103. https://doi.org/10.5277/EPE130209
Malińska K, Zabochnicka-Światek M, Dach J (2014) Effects of biochar amendment on ammonia emission during composting of sewage sludge. Ecol Eng 71:474–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.07.012
McKinley VL, Vestal JR (1985) Physical and chemical correlates of microbial activity and biomass in composting municipal sewage sludge. Appl Environ Microbiol 50:1395–1403
MLIT (2011) Status for the use of sewage sludge in Japan. In: Japanese Ministry of land, infrastructure, Transport and tourism. http://www.mlit.go.jp/mizukokudo/sewerage/crd_sewerage_tk_000124.html
Morisaki N, Phae ChaeGun, Nakasaki K et al. (1989) Nitrogen transformation during thermophilic composting. J Ferment Bioeng 67:57–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/0922-338X(89)90087-1
Onofri A, Pannacci E (2014) Spreadsheet tools for biometry classes in crop science programs. Commun Biometry. Crop Sci 9:43–53.
Padgett PE, Leonard RT (1996) Free amino acid levels and the regulation of nitrate uptake in maize cell suspension cultures. J Exp Bot 47:871–883
Paré T, Dinel H, Schnitzer M, Dumontet S (1998) Transformations of carbon and nitrogen during composting of animal manure and shredded paper. Biol Fertil Soils 26:173–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003740050364
Paredes C, Roig A, Bernal MP et al. (2000) Evolution of organic matter and nitrogen duing co-compostiing of olive mill wastwater with solid organic wastes. Biol Fertil Soils 32:222–227
Pedra F, Polo A, Ribeiro A, Domingues H (2007) Effects of municipal solid waste compost and sewage sludge on mineralization of soil organic matter. Soil Biol Biochem 39:1375–1382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2006.12.014
Plett S, Epstein E, Coker C (2000) Biosolids technology fact sheet: vessel composting of biosolids. Belt Filter Press. EPA 832-F-00-057
Said-Pullicino D, Erriquens FG, Gigliotti G (2007) Changes in the chemical characteristics of water-extractable organic matter during composting and their influence on compost stability and maturity. Bioresour Technol 98:1822–1831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2006.06.018
Tan KH (1996) Soil sampling, preparation, and analysis. Marcel Dekker, New York
Tiquia SM, Tam NFY, Hodgkiss IJ (1998) Composting of spent pig litter at different seasonal temperatures in subtropical climate. Environ Pollut 98:97–104
Tiquia SM, Tam NFY (2000) Co-composting of spent pig litter and sludge with forced-aeration. Bioresour Technol 72:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(99)90092-5
Walter I, Martı´nez F, Cala V (2006) Heavy metal speciation and phytotoxic effects of three representative sewage sludges for agricultural uses. Environ Pollut 139:507–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.05.020
Wang K, Li W, Li Y et al. (2013) The modeling of combined strategies to achieve thermophilic composting of sludge in cold region. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 85:608–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.03.005
Warman PR, Termeer WC (2005) Evaluation of sewage sludge, septic waste and sludge compost applications to corn and forage: yields and N, P and K content of crops and soils. Bioresour Technol 96:955–961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2004.08.003
Witter E, Lopez-Real JM (1987) The potential of sewage sludge and composting in a nitrogen recycling strategy for agriculture. Biol Agric Hortic 5:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.1987.9755122
Wong MH, Chu LM (1985) The responses of edible crops treated with extracts of refuse compost of different ages. Agric Wastes 14:63–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-4607(85)80017-2
Acknowledgements
The work described in this paper was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the Okayama University in accordance with its policy on objectivity in research. The authors wish to express their appreciation to reviewers for their valuable comments on the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nguyen, TB., Shima, K. Composting of Sewage Sludge with a Simple Aeration Method and its Utilization as a Soil Fertilizer. Environmental Management 63, 455–465 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-017-0963-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-017-0963-8