Characterization of organic matter from composting of different residues by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods

Abstract

Chemical and spectroscopic methods were used to characterize organic matter transformations during the composting process. Four different residue mixtures were studied: P1--garden trimmings (GT) only, P2 - GT plus fresh cattle manure, P3--GT plus orange pomace and P4--GT plus filter cake. The thermophilic phase was not reached in P1 compost, but the P2, P3 and P4 composts showed all three typical process phases. The thermophilic phase and CEC/C ratio stabilized after 90 days, while C/N ratio and the ash content stabilized after 60 days. The increasing E(4)/E(6) ratio indicated oxidation reactions occurring during the process in the material from P2, P3 and P4. The (13)C NMR and FTIR results suggested extraction of both pectin and lignin in the HA-like fraction. The CEC/C ratio, temperature and E(4)/E(6) ratio showed that within 90 days P2, P3 and P4 composts were humified. However, material from P1 did not show characteristics of humified compost. From these data, it is apparent that C/N ratio and ash content are not reliable methods for monitoring the composting process.

Técnicas de Compostagem Desenvolvidas Pela Horticultura Familiar Agroecológica

“…Para Fialho et al (2010), estse procedimento estabiliza materiais orgânicos de diferentes origens com concentrações de nutrientes disponíveis. A viabilidade econômica no preparo de adubos orgânicos por meio da compostagem se relaciona, dentre outros fatores, à utilização de matérias-primas em abundância (LEAL et al,2007).…”

Vermicompost Incorporation into Soil Contaminated with Deltamethrin as an Attempt to Reduce the Toxicity Caused by this Pyrethroid: A Structural Study of Soil

“…The bands were attributed according to Stevenson (1994;Silverstein et al, 2008;Fialho et al, 2010) (Fig. 1).…”

Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Dairy Manure Compost

“…In the middle stage of the composting, temporal NO 2 --N accumulation can be achieved, which means incomplete nitrification occurs during this stage. As the process progresses, easily degradable organic matter is consumed and stable organic compounds such as humic acids are produced in the latter composting stage (Fialho et al 2010). During this stage, microbial groups such as cellulose-degrading bacteria (e.g.…”