Nitrogen-retaining property of compost in an aerobic thermophilic composting reactor for the sanitary disposal of human feces

Aerobic composting is a method for the sanitary disposal of human feces as is used in bio-toilet systems. As the products of composting can be utilized as a fertilizer, it would be beneficial if the composting conditions could be more precisely controlled for the retention of fecal nitrogen as long as possible in the compost. In this study, batch experiments were conducted using a closed aerobic thermophilic composting reactor with sawdust as the bulk matrix to simulate the condition of a bio-toilet for the sanitary disposal of human feces. Attention was paid to the characteristics of nitrogen transformation. Under the controlled conditions of temperature at 60°C, moisture content at 60%,anda continuous air supply, more than 70% fecal organic removal was obtained, while merely 17% fecal nitrogen loss was observed over a two-week composting period. The nitrogen loss was found to occur mainly in the first 24 h with the rapid depletion of inorganic nitrogen but with an almost unchanged organic nitrogen content. The fecal NH₄-N which was the main component of the inorganic nitrogen ( > 90%) decreased rapidly in the first day, decreased at a slower rate over the following days, and finally disappeared entirely. The depletion of NH₄-N was accompanied by the accumulation of NH₃ gas in the ammonia absorber connected to the reactor. A mass balance between the exhausted NH₃ gas and the fecal NH₄-N content in the first 24 hours indicated that the conversion of ammonium into gaseous ammonia was the main reason for nitrogen loss. Thermophilic composting could be considered as a way to keep a high organic nitrogen content in the compost for better utilization as a fertilizer.     

添加剂对厨余垃圾堆肥氮素转化与氮素损失的影响

采用静态好氧工艺,就不同添加剂对厨余垃圾堆肥氨挥发与氮素损失影响方面进行比较试验。试验设4个处理:A0,对照;A1,添加30 mL.kg-1(以干基计,下同)高温保氮菌剂;A2,添加1 mol.kg-1化学保氮剂;A3,同时添加30 mL.kg-1高温保氮菌剂和1 mol.kg-1化学保氮剂。堆肥结束时,与对照相比,A1、A2和A3处理堆肥全氮含量分别提高8.4%、38.4%和43.1%,有机氮含量分别提高9.9%、64.3%和68.8%,氨氮含量分别降低11.3%、86.5%和86.5%,厨余氨氮释放率分别降低13.4%、84.0%和86.5%,堆肥氮损失率分别下降17.5%、61.5%和67.2%。加入添加剂均可减少厨余垃圾堆肥氨挥发,降低堆肥氮损失。单独添加时,化学保氮剂较高温保氮菌剂作用大;但就3种处理比较而言,菌剂与化学药剂联合添加效果最好。     

不同时期添加蘑菇渣对落叶堆肥过程的影响

研究不同时期添加蘑菇渣对落叶堆肥过程的影响.结果表明:堆肥降温期添加蘑菇渣有利于提高有机质的降解率,堆肥末期各处理有机质降解率分别为15.85%,10.17%,12.90%和15.16%;有利于吸收固定堆肥中的氨,减少氨的挥发,降低堆肥的pH值.在堆肥初始一次性添加蘑菇渣,有利于堆肥总氮的积累,提高堆肥产品中胡敏酸和腐殖质含量,降低堆肥总氮损失率.在堆肥初始和降温期分次添加蘑菇渣有利于堆肥硝态氮的合成,富里酸的分解以及HA/FA的增加.在整个堆肥过程中,各处理HA和HA/FA均呈增加趋势,FA呈降低趋势,较好地反映了落叶堆肥的腐熟程度.在堆肥不同阶段添加蘑菇渣各有其优点,综合后认为在堆肥初始添加蘑菇渣的效果最为理想.     

河北省承德地区秸秆堆肥特性及腐熟度评价

以河北省承德地区的油葵秸秆、玉米秸秆、大豆秸秆与鸡粪为原料,设置4种不同配比（F1、F2、F3、F4）,于2009年秋末接种EM菌进行堆肥试验.通过对堆肥过程中堆体的温度、含水率、NH4＋-N、NO3--N、pH值、C/N、T值的测定,研究了不同配比对堆肥腐熟度的影响.采用大白菜种子发芽指数（GI）评价了堆肥的腐熟度和...     

Process evaluation of an alternating aerobic-anoxic process applied in a sequencing batch reactor for nitrogen removal

In order to improve the nitrogen removal efficiency and save operational cost, the feasibility of the alternating aerobic-anoxic process (AAA process) applied in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system for nitrogen removal was investigated. Under sufficient influent alkalinity, the AAA process did not have an advantage over one aerobicanoxic (OAA) cycle on treatment efficiency because microorganisms had an adaptive stage at the alternating aerobic-anoxic transition, which would prolong the total cycling time. On the contrary, the AAA process made the system control more complicated. Under deficient influent alkalinity, when compared to OAA, the AAA process improved treatment efficiency and effluent quality with NH₄ ⁺-N in the effluent below the detection limit. In the nitrification, the average stoichiometric ratio between alkalinity consumption and ammonia oxidation is calculated to be 7.07 mg CaCO₃/mg NH₄ ⁺-N. In the denitrification, the average stoichiometric ratio between alkalinity production and NO₃ ^?-N reduction is about 3.57 mg CaCO₃/mg NO₃ ^?-N. As a result, half of the alkalinity previously consumed during the aerobic nitrification was recovered during the subsequent anoxic denitrification period. That was why the higher treatment efficiency in the AAA process was achieved without the supplement of bicarbonate alkalinity. If the lack of alkalinity in the influent was less than 1/3 of that needed, there is no need for external alkalinity addition and treatment efficiency was the same as that under sufficient influent alkalinity. Even if the lack of alkalinity in the influent was more than 1/3 of that needed, the AAA process was an optimal strategy because it reduced the external alkalinity addition and saved on operational cost.     

奶牛粪便翻堆式与槽式堆肥过程气体排放规律及养分损失原位监测

为探究奶牛粪便翻堆式与槽式堆肥过程中温室气体和氨气(NH₃)排放规律及养分损失情况,采用原位监测的方法,通过静态采气箱和气体在线监测设备,分别对奶牛粪便翻堆式和槽式堆体开展为期36 d的气体监测。结果表明,翻堆式堆肥过程中甲烷(CH₄)、氧化亚氮(N2_O)和NH₃排放主要集中于翻堆阶段;槽式堆肥过程中CH₄和NH₃排放主要集中于堆肥前期,N2_O排放则主要集中于堆肥中后期。堆体管理措施及物料特性显著影响堆肥气体的排放。翻堆式堆肥过程中翻堆对气体排放的影响大于堆肥理化因子如温度、含水率以及pH值;而槽式堆肥过程中,降低堆体的平均温度可同时减缓堆肥过程中CH₄、二氧化碳(CO₂)和NH₃的释放。从养分损失来看,翻堆式和槽式堆肥过程中碳素总损失量分别占堆肥物料初始总碳含量(TC)的27.16%和21.53%,其中约80%以上的碳素损失来自CO₂-C。而堆肥过程中氮素总损失量分别占堆肥物料初始总氮含量(TN)的18.67%和13.44%,其中约80%以上的氮素损失来源于NH₃N。该研究表明,在保证堆体物料腐熟的前提下,降低翻堆频率可显著减缓翻堆式堆肥过程中温室气体和NH₃的排放;降低槽式堆肥堆体的温度可显著减少堆肥过程中CH₄、CO₂和NH₃的排放。该研究结果对于减少堆肥过程气态污染物排放和养分损失,提高堆肥效率具有重要的指导意义。     

Control of hydrogen sulfide emissions using autotrophic denitrification landfill biocovers: engineering applications

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emitted from construction and demolition waste landfills has received increasing attention. Besides its unpleasant odor, longterm exposure to a very low concentration of H₂S can cause a public health issue. In the case of construction and demolition (C&D) waste landfills, where gas collection systems are not normally required, the generated H₂S is typically not controlled and the number of treatment processes to control H₂S emissions in situ is limited. An attractive alternative may be to use chemically or biologically active landfill covers. A few studies using various types of cover materials to attenuate H₂S emissions demonstrated that H₂S emissions can be effectively reduced. In this study, therefore, the costs and benefits of H₂S-control cover systems including compost, soil amended with lime, fine concrete, and autotrophic denitrification were evaluated. Based on a case-study landfill area of 0.04 km², the estimated H₂S emissions of 80900 kg over the 15-year period and costs of active cover system components (ammonium nitrate fertilizer for autotrophic denitrification cover, lime, fine concrete, and compost), ammonium nitrate fertilizer is the most cost effective, followed by hydrated lime, fine concrete, and yard waste compost. Fine concrete and yard waste compost covers are expensive measures to control H₂S emissions because of the large amount of materials needed to create a cover. Controlling H₂S emissions using fine concrete and compost is less expensive at landfills that provide on-site concrete recovery and composting facilities; however, ammonium nitrate fertilizer or hydrated lime would still be more cost effective applications.     

Pollutant removal by an integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland treating simulated river water by reoxygenation

The effects and mechanism of chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, and phosphorus concentration removal by an integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland were studied in the wetland system during one inlet–outlet operating period, in two typical stages (each stage is connective 24 h, sampled once every 4 h). The concentration of ammonia decreased along the flow direction in the system, while levels of nitrate (NO₃^?-N) increased. In one operating period, total nitrogen (TN) concentration fell with rising operation time due to evacuative reoxygenation. The TN and NH₃-N removal rates in the system were 26.6% and 97.5%, respectively. COD decreased rapidly in the early stages and more gradually in the direction of water flow of the wetland system. Average total phosphorus (TP) removal rate was 20.71%. TN and NO₃^?-N levels in water of the wetland had a tendency to decline gradually with increasing operation time. Ammonia concentrations displayed only a small variation with operation time. The results also indicated that the wetland was able to maintain its temperature. The oxygen content differed during the various operating stages and exerted a marked influence on COD, TP, and TN removal.     

Effect of water and temperature on ammonia volatilization of maize straw returning

ABSTRACT

Ammonia volatilization is an important nitrogen (N) loss pathway in agricultural production and consequent significant atmospheric pollutant. The primary objective of this study was to (1) examine effects of environmental factors such as temperature and soil water capacity, as well as crop residue (CR) addition as fertilizer, on ammonia (NH₃) volatilization, and (2) search for a comprehensive management strategy to reduce accumulative ammonia volatilization (AAV). A bench-scale cultivated experiment was conducted at two environment temperatures (15 or 25 °C), three forms of soil water capacity (30%, 50%, or 70% soil field moisture capacity), and two treatments of fertilizers (conventional fertilizer urea and straw returning – 10% of total N application arising from maize straw and remainder from conventional urea). Results showed that AAV was markedly decreased by adjusting soil water capacity, temperature, and CR addition. Significant quantified exponential correlation between AAV and soil moisture was observed. More than 70% AAV was reduced in intermediate 50% and high 70% soil moisture compared to low 30%. AAV was less sensitive to temperature than soil moisture using black soils. Only in low soil moisture, AAV rose with increasing of temperature. Straw restoration addition decreased significantly the AAV loss.     

植物叶片氨挥发研究进展

氨是大气污染的一个重要组成部分,植物叶片氨挥发是大气氨污染的来源之一。植物氨挥发的强弱与植株氮素利用效率有很好的相关性,很多研究表明,植株收获时的总氮量一般显著小于植株氮素最大累积量,植株生长后期体内含氮化合物的水解和氨的挥发可能是其重要原因。因此,研究植物体的氨挥发对于大气环境保护和提高氮肥利用率具有非常重要的意义。本文对植物叶片氨挥发的主要测定方法、机理和影响因素进行了综述,对植物叶片氨挥发研究中的一些问题进行了讨论。     

腐熟堆肥接种对蔬菜废物中高温好氧降解过程的影响

通过不同比例腐熟堆肥接种,进行蔬菜废物高温好氧降解试验,研究接种对蔬菜废物好氧降解过程的影响.结果表明:当接种率为5%,3%和1%时,增加腐熟堆肥接种比例有利于提高有机物的好氧降解率,试验末期有机物降解率分别为53.3%,50.0%和43.7%,糖类和纤维素类降解的差别是其降解率差距的主要来源;腐熟堆肥接种对堆肥过程中微生物演化规律影响明显,但接种率达到一定水平后,接种对生物相的影响会随堆肥过程而逐步消失;通过对微生物相演变与生物质降解过程的相关性分析,表明微生物种群增殖与特定生物质类型降解存在明显的相关性,从而提示了采用按堆肥过程中生物质分类的降解状况分段接种微生物的可能性.     

Nitrogen balance in marine fish larvae: influence of developmental stage and prey density

The utilization and fate of nitrogen in larvae of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), blenny (Blennius pavo) and herring (Clupea harengus), from the stage of first-feeding to metamorphosis, was examined under laboratory conditions. Rates of ammonia excretion, primary amine defaecation, and growth in terms of protein-nitrogen were monitored throughout larval life. Data were used to calculate daily ration, the coefficient of nitrogen utilization (absorption efficiency), and gross and net growth efficiencies. The developmental pattern of nitrogen balance was similar for plaice and blenny larvae. These species showed increasing growth efficiency (k₁: 55 to 80%) with decreasing weight-specific waste nitrogen losses with age. Absorption efficiencies. were high (83 to 98%) in plaice and blenny larvae, and tended to increase with development in the former species. Ration relative to body weight decreased with growth in both species. Herring larval development, although at a slower rate than blenny and plaice, appeared normal up to 33 d, after which high mortality occurred. Absorption efficiency in this species tended to decline (83 to 43%) with age, until metabolic costs exceeded the absorbed ration and growth ceased. Artemia sp. nauplii proved a suitable food source for the rearing of plaice and blenny larvae, but this diet may have long-term toxicity or deficiency effects on herring. Availability and density of food affected nitrogen balance in the larvae of all three species. Feeding stimulated the output of wastes in excretion and defaecation by a factor of up to ten times the 12-h non-feeding basal rates. Waste nitrogen output reached a peak some 2 to 3 h after commencement of feeding and returned slowly to the baseline in 5 to 10 h after cessation of feeding. There was an asymptotic increase in ration, ammonia output and growth of larvae as prey density increased. Ration saturated at a higher prey density (>4 prey ml^-1) than either growth or excretion rate (1 prey ml^-1). Thus the efficiency with which food is absorbed and utilized for growth must eventually decline in response to high prey density. The idea that larval fish are adapted to maximize ingestion and growth rate, rather than optimize growth efficiency and thus to respond to prey occurring in either low density or in occasional patches, is supported by these results.     

Case Study on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Emissions from Paddy Field in Taihu Region

The agricultural non-point source pollution by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loss from typical paddy soil (whitish soil, Bai Tu in Chinese) in the Taihu Lake region was investigated through a case study. Results shown that the net load of nutrients from white soil is 34.1 kg ha^–1 for total nitrogen (TN), distributed as 19.4 kg ha^–1, in the rice season and 14.7 kg ha^–1in the wheat season, and for total phosphorus (TP) 1.75 kg ha^–1, distributed as 1.16 kg ha^–1 in the rice season and 0.58 kg ha^–1 in the wheat season. The major chemical species of N loss is different in the two seasons. NH₄-N is main the form in the rice season (53% of TN). NO₃-N is the main form in wheat season (46% of TN). Particle-P is the main form in both seasons, (about 56% of TP). The nutrient loss varied with time of the year. The main loss of nutrients happened in the 10 days after planting, 64% of TN and 42% of TP loss, respectively. Rainfall and fertilizer application are the key factors which influence nitrogen and phosphorus loss from arable land, especially rainfall events shortly after fertilizer application. So it is very important to improve the field management of the nutrients and water during the early days of planting.     

Significance of ammonia in determining the N:P ratio of the sea water off Barbados,West Indies

N:P atomic ratios calculated on NO₃-N alone for the upper waters of the tropical Atlantic Ocean off Barbados are very low, being only 9.8:1. Absolute values are also low, the integrated values between O and 100 m for NO₃-N and PO₄-P being 0.59 and 0.06 g-at l^-1, respectively. However, when ammonia is included as a nitrogen source the ratio becomes 28.8:1. This is the average value obtained from 42 samples taken over a 21-month period, and suggests that phosphorus, and not nitrogen, is the more critical nutrient in phytoplankton growth off Barbados.     

新疆盐渍化土壤氮肥氨挥发损失特征初步研究

在室温下应用“静态吸收法”,研究不同盐渍化程度的盐化土壤和碱化土壤上氮肥氨挥发损失特征。结果表明:(1)除碱土外碱化土壤上氮肥氨挥发量随时间延长呈现下降趋势,在盐化土壤上氨挥发量随时间呈现先上升后下降趋势。(2)供试9个典型盐渍化土壤样品上氮肥氨挥发量(Y)与时间(t)关系均符合Y=at2 bt c动力学方程,相关性呈极显著水平。(3)氨挥发总量(Y)、氨挥发速率(Yi)与土壤含盐量(x)呈极显著正相关;氨挥发持续时间随着盐渍化程度的增加而延长。(4)氨挥发总量、挥发速率与盐渍土pH相关性未达到显著水平;盐渍土上pH值对氨挥发的影响需要进一步研究。以上结果表明,盐渍化耕作土壤上氮肥氨挥发的控制要依据盐渍化类型的不同而制定相应的措施。     

Effects of La3+, Ce3+ on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH₄ ⁺-N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1 mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH₄ ⁺-N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%–15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.     

Optimization of denitrifying phosphorus removal in a pre-denitrification anaerobic/anoxic/post-aeration + nitrification sequence batch reactor (pre-A<Subscript>2</Subscript>NSBR) system: Nitrate recycling,carbon/nitrogen ratio and carbon source type

Because the efficiency of biological nutrient removal is always limited by the deficient carbon source for the low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio in real domestic sewage, the denitrifying phosphorus removal (DNPR) was developed as a simple and efficient method to remove nitrogen and phosphorous. In addition, this method has the advantage of saving aeration energy while reducing the sludge production. In this context, a pre-denitrification anaerobic/anoxic/post-aeration + nitrification sequence batch reactor (pre-A₂NSBR) system, which could also reduce high ammonia effluent concentration in the traditional two-sludge DNPR process, is proposed in this work. The pre-A₂NSBR process was mainly composed of a DNPR SBR and a nitrifying SBR, operating as alternating anaerobic/anoxic/post-aeration + nitrification sequence. Herein, the long-term performance of different nitrate recycling ratios (0–300%) and C/N ratios (2.5–8.8), carbon source type, and functional microbial community were studied. The results showed that the removal efficiency of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN, including NH₄⁺-N, NO₂^– -N, and NO₃^– -N) gradually increased with the nitrate recycling ratios, and the system reached the highest DNPR efficiency of 94.45% at the nitrate recycling ratio of 300%. The optimum C/N ratio was around 3.9–7.3 with a nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of 80.15% and 93.57%, respectively. The acetate was proved to be a high-quality carbon source for DNPR process. The results of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis indicated that nitrifiers and phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) were accumulated with a proportion of 19.41% and 26.48%, respectively.

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Insights into the changes of amino acids,microbial community,and enzymatic activities related with the nutrient quality of product during the composting of food waste

● The highest seed germination index was achieved at 0.3 g/g total solids of food waste. ● Proline was identified as the key amino acid related with the composting process. ● Amino acid metabolism sequences predominated during the whole composting process. This study systematically investigated the changes of amino acids as the composting process of food waste proceeded. It is found that the addition of 0.3 g/g total solids of food waste achieved the highest seed germination index of the product (268 %). The microbial community results indicated that the abundance of amino acid metabolism sequences remained at high levels during the whole composting process. Proline was identified as the key amino acid related with the nutrient quality of product during the composting of food waste. Further plant germination and hydroponic experiments found, that compared with those without the addition of proline, the addition of 50 mg/L proline increased seed germination rate by 20 %, increased shoot length by 3 %, increased root biomass of seedlings by 82 %, and increased leaf biomass of seedlings by 76 %, respectively. Firmicutes, γ-Pseudomonadota, Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes were the key identified bacteria related with the increase of proline during the composting of food waste. Meanwhile, the enzymatic tests of the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and malondialdehyde indicated that proline did not cause oxidative damage on the growth of plants. This study provided novel insights into the changes of amino acids, microbial community, and enzymatic activities related with the nutrient quality of product during the composting of food waste.     

Nitrogen Export from an Agriculture Watershed in the Taihu Lake Area, China

Temporal changes in nitrogen concentrations and stream discharge, as well as sediment and nitrogen losses from erosion plots with different land uses, were studied in an agricultural watershed in the Taihu Lake area in eastern China. The highest overland runoff loads and nitrogen losses were measured under the upland at a convergent footslope. Much higher runoff, sediment and nitrogen losses were observed under upland cropping and vegetable fields than that under chestnut orchard and bamboo forest. Sediment associated nitrogen losses accounted for 8–43.5% of total nitrogen export via overland runoff. N lost in dissolved inorganic nitrogen forms (NO ₃ ^– -N + NH ₄ ⁺ -N) accounted for less than 50% of total water associated nitrogen export. Agricultural practices and weather-driven fluctuation in discharge were main reasons for the temporal variations in nutrient losses via stream discharge. Significant correlation between the total nitrogen concentration and stream discharge load was observed. Simple regression models could give satisfactory results for prediction of the total nitrogen concentrations in stream water and can be used for better quantifying nitrogen losses from arable land. Nitrogen losses from the studied watershed via stream discharge during rice season in the year 2002 were estimated to be 10.5 kg N/ha using these simple models.     

木薯渣堆肥及其对难溶性磷的活化试验研究

试验以干鸡粪、米糠、堆肥返料作调理剂,同时加入不同含量的磷矿粉,对木薯渣进行好氧堆肥,研究木薯渣堆肥过程中堆肥理化性质的变化及木薯渣堆肥对难溶性磷的活化作用。试验设置磷矿粉加入量10％（T1）、15％（T2）、20％（T3）和不加磷矿粉（CK）四个处理,干鸡粪、米糠、堆肥返料的添加量均为10％、15％和20％。在堆肥过程中,四个处理均在55℃以上高温持续了25d,超过了国家规定的标准。在堆肥结束时,各处理水分含量均降至30％左右,pH升高至弱碱性,淀粉降解率均在90％以上,水溶性碳（DOC）含量均降至10g.kg。以下,达到了基本腐熟的标准。证明木薯渣通过堆肥能达到稳定无害化状态。在堆肥结束时,T1、T2、T3有效磷增加量分别为12．58、12．81、12．96g.kg-1,对磷矿粉的活化率分别为23．53％、17．07％、14．50％,T1活化效果最好。研究结果表明木薯渣堆肥对难溶性磷有一定的活化作用,可为解决堆肥资源化产品中植物可利用磷含量偏低的难题开拓一条生物学途径：