Composting and vermicomposting of sewage sludge at various C/N ratios: Technological feasibility and end-product quality

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41210%2F23%3A95553" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41210/23:95553 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115255" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115255</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115255" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115255</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Composting and vermicomposting of sewage sludge at various C/N ratios: Technological feasibility and end-product quality

Original language description

Even though sewage sludge (SS) contains a high level of pollutants, it is rich in essential plant nutrients and has the potential to enhance soil fertility. However, the SS must be further treated through pre-composting plus vermicomposting to make it safe for use on food crops. More research and data are needed to determine how different carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C/N) affect the feasibility and quality of composting vs vermicomposting of SS. Therefore, in this study we comprehensively evaluated the feasibility and end-product quality of compost and vermicompost produced from SS under different C/N ratios. SS was mixed with pelletized wheat straw (PWS) at various proportions to produce C/N ratios of 6:1, 18:1, 28:1, and 38:1, then pre-composted for 14 days followed by vermicomposting using the earthworm Eisenia andrei for 120 days. Agrochemical properties were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Results revealed significantly higher levels of agrochemicals in vermicompost compared to compost, including total potassium (37–88%) and magnesium (4.3–12%), nitrate nitrogen (71–98%), available potassium (53–88%), available phosphorus (79%), available magnesium (54–453%), available boron (48–303%), and available copper (2.5–82%). However, lower levels of ammonium nitrogen by (59–85%), available iron (2.3–51.3%), available manganese (29.7–52.2%), available zinc (10.5–29.8%), total carbon (0.75–4.5%), and total nitrogen (1.6–22.2%) were measured. Comparison of the various C/N ratios, showed that vermicompost with an 18:1 C/N ratio outperformed compost and demonstrated the highest earthworm population (165 pieces/kg). Thus, vermicomposting SS at an 18:1 C/N ratio is strongly recommended as a sustainable technology for producing high-quality vermicompost from SS.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40101 - Agriculture

Project

<a href="/en/project/QK1910095" target="_blank" >QK1910095: Use of Vermicomposting to Eliminate Micropollutants for Safe Application of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Land</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN

0147-6513

e-ISSN

0147-6513

Volume of the periodical

263

Issue of the periodical within the volume

SEP 15 2023

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

1-11

UT code for WoS article

001046093000001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85165341039