Compost Quality Indexes (CQIs) of Biosolids Using Physicochemical, Biological and Ecophysiological Indicators: C and N Mineralization Dynamics

Abstract

The increasing production of biosolids (BS) as a result of urban wastewater treatment generates pollution problems in their management and final disposal, and a better management is needed for their disposal. The composting of BS is an alternative process for obtaining a product with potential application as an organic amendment in the recovery of agricultural soils. As a biotechnological contribution, this study analyzed a composting process with BS, bovine manure (BM) and rice husks using four treatments T1 (C/N = 24); T2 (C/N = 34); T3 (C/N = 44); T4 (C/N = 54) for 120 days, in order to develop compost quality indexes (CQIs) through the analysis of 18 physicochemical, biological and ecophysiological indicators. Subsequently, three methodologies—successfully used on soils—were implemented for the development of the CQIs called “unified”, “additive” and “nemoro”. The indicators that comprised the CQIs were nitrification index (NI) and synthetic enzymatic index (SEI). The CQIs made it possible to differentiate the quality of the compost according to the treatments applied. The treatments used resulted in composts considered phytonutritious whose average quality value depending on the CQI developed was considered high (CQIw = 0.62), moderate (CQIa = 0.56) and low (CQIn = 0.30). The developed CQIs can be applied to determine the quality of BS composting systems reducing the cost of monitoring.