Pathogen reduction in minimally managed composting of bovine manure

Spread of manure pathogens is of considerable concern due to use of manure for land application. In this study, the effects of four static pile treatment options for bovine manure on die-off of a generic Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7 surrogate, Salmonella Senftenberg, Salm. Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes were evaluated. Bovine manure spiked with these bacteria were placed in cassettes at the top, middle, and bottom sections of four static pile treatments that reflect minimal changes in pile construction with and without straw. Temperatures were monitored continuously during the 28 day self-heating period. E. coli and salmonellae were reduced from 8 to 9 log₁₀ CFU g^?1 to undetectable levels (<1.77 log₁₀ MPN g^?1) at 25–30 cm depths within 7 days in all pile sections except for the manure-only pile in which 3–4 logs of reduction were obtained. No L. monocytogenes initially present at 6.62 log₁₀ CFU g^?1 were recovered from straw-amended piles after 14 days, in contrast with manure-only treatment in which this pathogen was recovered even at 28 days. Decline of target bacterial populations corresponded to exposure to temperatures above 45 °C for more than 3 days and amendments of manure with straw to increase thermophilic zones. Use of straw to increase aeration, self-heating capacity, and heat retention in manure piles provides producers a minimal management option for composting that enhances pathogen die-off and thereby reduces risk of environmental spread when manure is applied to land.     

ENUMERATION OF ANAEROBIC REFUSE-DECOMPOSING MICRO-ORGANISMS ON REFUSE CONSTITUENTS

Hydrolytic, acetogenic and methanogenic bacteria are required for the conversion of refuse to methane in landfills. In order to identify sources of these trophic groups in refuse, the total anaerobic population and the sub-populations of cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, butyrate catabolizing acetogenic, and acetate- and H₂-CO₂-utilizing methanogenic bacteria as present on grass, leaves, branches, food waste, whole refuse and two landfill cover soils were enumerated by the most probable number (MPN) technique. Total anaerobes ranged from 10³cells per dry gram in cover soil to 10⁹in grass, food waste and fresh refuse. Hemicellulolytics ranged from 160 cells per dry gram in cover soil to 10⁹in grass. The highest cellulolytic population was measured on branches (316 cells per dry gram), while the maximum acetogenic population was measured on leaves (2.5×10⁴). The highest methanogen populations were measured on leaves (6.3×10³) and one of two fresh refuse samples (10⁵). Yard waste was the major carrier of the trophic groups required for refuse decomposition, while the cover soils tested did not represent major inputs of the requisite bacteria to landfills.     

Effect of temperature on bacterial emissions in composting of swine manure

Swine manure was subjected to laboratory scale composting in order to quantify bioaerosols, i.e., airborne culturable bacteria and endotoxin, in the exhaust gas, which provided details on the effect of temperature on bacterial emissions. The concentration of airborne bacteria reached 31,250 colony-forming units (CFU)/m³ during the thermophilic stage of composting, and positively correlated with the temperature profile of the compost pile. Initially, the endotoxin concentration was 1820 endotoxin units (EU)/m³, but it decreased exponentially as the composting process proceeded. The temperature can be an excellent indicator of bacterial emissions during the composting process, indicating that the composting process requires a consistently high temperature to ensure sanitization of both compost and bacterial emissions. The cumulative emission data showed that emission factors was 11.2?13.5 CFU/g dry swine manure and that of endotoxin was 0.5?0.9 EU/g dry swine manure. The bacterial diversity in the bioaerosol was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, revealing the presence of various gram-negative bacterial consortia.     

METHANE POTENTIAL OF FOOD WASTE AND ANAEROBIC TOXICITY OF LEACHATE PRODUCED DURING FOOD WASTE DECOMPOSITION

The objective of this study was to characterize the anaerobic biodegradation of food waste, including its methane potential and the anaerobic toxicity of leachate associated with food waste decomposition. Biodegradation experiments were conducted in 2.2-litre reactors and were seeded with well-decomposed refuse. Despite pH neutralization, reactors seeded with 30% old refuse failed to undergo methanogenesis. Food waste in a second set of reactors, containing 70% seed, produced 300.7 ml CH₄dry g⁻¹. Leachate toxicity was evaluated by a modified anaerobic toxicity assay (ATA). The results of ATAs were typically consistent with the methane production behavior of the reactors. However, the toxicity observed in the ATA test could not be simulated with synthetic leachate containing high concentrations of carboxylic acids and sodium. Tests with 20, 5, 15 and 12 g l⁻¹of acetate, propionate, butyrate and sodium, respectively, suggested that high concentrations of butyric acid and sodium inhibited the onset of methane production but that refuse micro-organisms could acclimatize to these concentrations within 5–10 days. The refuse ecosystem was shown to tolerate higher concentrations of undissociated carboxylic acids than previously reported for anaerobic digesters.     

Anaerobic co-digestion of swine and poultry manure with municipal sewage sludge

The anaerobic digestion of municipal sewage sludge (SS) with swine manure (SM) and poultry manure (PM) was undertaken. It was found that a mixture of sewage sludge with a 30% addition of swine manure gave around 400 dm³/kgVS of biogas, whereas the maximal biogas yield from ternary mixture (SS:SM:PM = 70:20:10 by weight) was only 336 dm³/kgVS. An inhibition of methanogenesis by free ammonia was observed in poultry manure experiments. The anaerobic digestion was inefficient in pathogen inactivation as the reduction in the number of E. coli an Enterobacteriaceae was only by one logarithmic unit. A substantial portion of pathogens was also released into the supernatant.     

Airborne contaminants at waste treatment plants

Airborne contaminants in Finnish waste treatment plants were studied at two plants using mainly manual sorting and one incineration plant. Air samples were analysed for mesophilic and thermotolerant bacteria, mesophilic fungi, endotoxin, dust and heavy metals (lead, cadmium). The concentrations of mesophilic bacteria in the working air of the waste treatment plants were under 2 × 10⁴ colony forming units (cfu) m⁻³ and the concentrations of mesophilic fungi were under 7 × 10⁴ cfu m⁻³. There was no seasonal variation in the concentrations of bacteria, but the concentrations of fungi were highest in autumn at the waste incineration plant. The concentrations of microbes recorded with two sampling methods, the Andersen and Nuclepore filter methods, differed but were usually of the same order of magnitude. The identified bacteria did not include any potent pathogens. In manual sorting the level of organic dust reached 38 mg m⁻³, whereas the 8-h hygiene limit value for organic dust is 5mg m⁻³ and the 15-min hygiene limit value is 10 mg m⁻³. The endotoxin levels were all below 30 ng m⁻³ and the concentrations of heavy metals were low.     

REVEGETATION OF WASTE FLY ASH LAGOONS II. SEEDLING TRANSPLANTS AND PLANT NUTRITION

As an alternative or in addition to direct seeding, container-grown transplants provide a means of economically and rapidly revegetating waste fly ash lagoons through the expeditious establishment of vegetation islands. Survival and growth ofEnchylaena tomentosaandNitraria billardiereitransplants were largely dependent on the size of the root volume at transplanting. Growth response of both species in fly ash increased significantly as transplant container size increased from 110 ml to 800 ml. Fly ash incorporated into the potting mix during the containerised stage of growth generally reduced plant growth and survival following eventual transplantation. Gradual hardening ofEnchylaena tomentosaseedlings to increasing concentrations of fly ash in the potting mix (25 to 50 to 75% fly ash), however, improved immediate survival following transplantation, into pure ash. Nitrogen deficiency in Port Augusta fly ash was a major nutritional limitation to growth of these two species. Growth and dry matter production responded optimally to application of N fertiliser (NH₄NO₃) at 100–150 kg N ha⁻¹. Although bicarbonate-extractable P levels in fly ash were high (over 250 mg kg⁻¹), a response ofEnchylaena tomentosato supplementary P application [Ca(H₂PO₄)₂.H₂O] at 100–200 kg P ha⁻¹was observed.N. billardiereidid not respond to supplementary P, and it was suggested that fly ash P may be selectively available to plants on a species dependent basis. No growth responses to K application (KCl) at rates of up to 400 kg K ha⁻¹were found.     

Optimization of Eisenia fetida stocking density for the bioconversion of rock phosphate enriched cow dung–waste paper mixtures

Vermitechnology is gaining recognition as an environmental friendly waste management strategy. Its successful implementation requires that the key operational parameters like earthworm stocking density be established for each target waste/waste mixture. One target waste mixture in South Africa is waste paper mixed with cow dung and rock phosphate (RP) for P enrichment. This study sought to establish optimal Eisenia fetida stocking density for maximum P release and rapid bioconversion of RP enriched cow dung–paper waste mixtures. E. fetida stocking densities of 0, 7.5, 12.5, 17.5 and 22.5 g-worms kg^?1 dry weight of cow dung–waste paper mixtures were evaluated. The stocking density of 12.5 g-worms kg^?1 resulted in the highest earthworm growth rate and humification of the RP enriched waste mixture as reflected by a C:N ratio of <12 and a humic acid/fulvic acid ratio of >1.9 in final vermicomposts. A germination test revealed that the resultant vermicompost had no inhibitory effect on the germination of tomato, carrot, and radish. Extractable P increased with stocking density up to 22.5 g-worm kg^?1 feedstock suggesting that for maximum P release from RP enriched wastes a high stocking density should be considered.     

Evaluation of a classification method for biodegradable solid wastes using anaerobic degradation parameters

We studied the biochemical and anaerobic degradation characteristics of 29 types of materials to evaluate the effects of a physical composition classification method for degradable solid waste on the computation of anaerobic degradation parameters, including the methane yield potential (L₀), anaerobic decay rate (k), and carbon sequestration factor (CSF). Biochemical methane potential tests were conducted to determine the anaerobic degradation parameters of each material. The results indicated that the anaerobic degradation parameters of nut waste were quite different from those of other food waste and nut waste was classified separately. Paper was subdivided into two categories according to its lignin content: degradable paper with lignin content of <0.05 g g VS^?1, and refractory paper with lignin content >0.15 g g VS^?1. The L₀, k, and CSF parameters of leaves, a type of garden waste, were similar to those of grass. This classification method for degradable solid waste may provide a theoretical basis that facilitates the more accurate calculation of anaerobic degradation parameters.     

Bentonite liners for isolation of waste disposal sites

The applicability of bentonite as a lining material for isolation of waste disposal sites was investigated on laboratory and field scale. The permeability of sand-bentonite mixtures depends on the type of bentonite, the bentonite content in the mixture and the dry bulk density. In laboratory experiments the saturated conductivity decreased at low hydraulic head gradients, indicating that water flow in these mixtures does not obey Darcy's law. The swelling of the bentonite, which is responsible for the low permeability, is a time-dependent process. The permeability decreased with time and even after two months the permeability had not reached a constant level. In sand-bentonite mixtures with 5% (w/w) bentonite, the saturated conductivity ultimately reached a level below 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m s⁻¹, which is sufficiently low for surface capping of waste disposal sites. The sand-bentonite mixtures were 10–100 times more permeable for landfill leachate than for clean water. Bottom liners should, therefore, contain considerably more bentonite to prevent infiltration of leachate in the subsoil. Water-balance studies on experimental fields showed that there was no leakage at all through bentonite liners used for surface capping of a waste disposal site over a two-year period.     

Integrated biogas technology in the tropics. 2. Use of slurry for fish culture

The composite slurry from four 3.5-m³ ferrocement digesters fed a mixture of nightsoil, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and rice straw was loaded into four 200-m² earth fish ponds at organic loading rates of 25, 50, and 100 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) ha⁻¹ day⁻¹. Impressive extrapolated net fish yields of about 10 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ (3.7 ton ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were obtained at the highest organic loading rate, equivalent to loading rates of about 120 kg total solids and 4.5 kg total Kjeldahl nitrogen ha⁻¹ day⁻¹. There may be potential for even greater yields from biogas slurry fed fish ponds because the relationship between net fish yield and slurry loading rate was linear. Constraints in the development of integrated biogas technology for poor farmers in the tropics are likely to be associated with the digester rather than with the reuse of slurry for fish culture.     

Utilization of molasses spentwash for production of bioplastics by waste activated sludge

Present study describes the treatment of molasses spentwash and its use as a potential low cost substrate for production of biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by waste activated sludge. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of PHB granules in sludge biomass which was further confirmed by fourier transform-infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The processing of molasses spentwash was carried out for attaining different ratios of carbon and nitrogen (C:N). Highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and PHB accumulation of 60% and 31% respectively was achieved with raw molasses spentwash containing inorganic nitrogen (C:N ratio = 28) followed by COD removal of 52% and PHB accumulation of 28% for filtered molasses containing inorganic nitrogen (C:N ratio = 29). PHB production yield (Y_p/s) was highest (0.184 g g^?1 COD consumed) for deproteinized spentwash supplemented with nitrogen. In contrast, the substrate consumption and product formation were higher in case of raw spentwash. Though COD removal was lowest from deproteinized spentwash, evaluation of kinetic parameters suggested higher rates of conversion of available carbon to biomass and PHB. Thus the process provided dual benefit of conversion of two wastes viz. waste activated sludge and molasses spentwash into value-added product-PHB.     

SETTING DIOXIN EMISSION LIMITS FOR MSW INCINERATORS: A MULTIMEDIA EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are emitted in trace amounts from municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators. The exposure to PCDD/Fs experienced by an individual is dominated by the food chain pathway, which accounts for over 98% of the total uptake. Defining a target daily intake (the World Health Organization TDI of 10 pg I-TEQ kg.bw⁻¹day⁻¹) exposure assessment algorithms were then applied to arrive at the corresponding PCDD/F levels in air, soil, plants, food products, etc., which would allow the target intake to be met while retaining the balance of intake between the various exposure pathways. These concentrations were converted to an ambient air concentration of PCDD/Fs and ultimately, by defining criteria for acceptability, to a guide value for PCDD/F concentration in emissions from the MSW incinerator. This strategy was applied to PCDD/F emissions from MSW incinerators of various sizes against two illustrative criteria for acceptability: an “insignificant” release and a threshold above which the release may require further assessment for environmental effects and for control. Using the criteria developed in this paper, the current PCDD/F emission limit of 0.1 ng I-TEQ m⁻³results in an emission that is classed as “insignificant” for all plant sizes. However, higher emission concentrations can also be accommodated below the threshold for further assessment and control.     

Low energy comsumption management of agricultural residues

In this paper, a mechanical filtering system to treat pig slurry is proposed. The filter was made from the aerobic decomposition product of the organic fraction of municipal wastes and wheat straw was used as the support.Using a pilot plant to treat 2100 liters of swine slurry, an adequate reduction in BOD₅; COD, and other parameters was obtained. The organic matter content of the material trapped in the filter was similar to that of compost and farmyard manure, but the nitrogen and phosphorous levels and the C/N ratio were more similar to farmyard manure. After passing through a filtering system, the treated liquid can be used for fertirrigation and as a feed for algae ponds. After a period of stabilization, the solid material can be mixed to produce manure. Although wheat straw was used as the support in this experiment, other agricultural wastes such as rice straw, corn stalks, millet stems, banana, cotton, and coconut trash can be used. Rather than municipal solid waste compost, other kinds of compost obtained from agricultural wastes such as leaves, bark, husks, etc., can be used as the filter.     

Biostabilization process of undersized fraction of municipal solid waste with biochar addition

The main goal of this work was to analyze the impact of biochar addition and changes in air-flow rates on the intensive phase of aerobic biostabilization of undersized fraction of municipal solid waste (UFMSW). The novelty of this paper stems from the use of biochar to shorten the process and generate “well-stabilized waste”. The following six different input mixtures were tested (without biochar and with the addition of biochar at: 1.5%, 3%, 5%, 10% and 20%), at three different air-flow rates: 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 m³·d⁻¹·(kg org DM)⁻¹. It was found that the biochar addition of more than 3 wt% causes water accumulation in the treated waste, but does not allow for reducing organic matter (OM) content below 35% DM, nor OM_loss values below 40% (the exception is the 5 wt% addition of biochar at the air-flow rate of 0.2 m³·d⁻¹·(kg org DM)⁻¹). Moreover, 10 wt% and 20 wt% biochar additions to UFMSW intensify the increase in microbial abundance, which may result in higher oxygen demand or development of anaerobic zones. The most favorable biochar doses in terms of final UFMSW sanitization are 3 wt% and 5 wt%.

     

Improved biogas production from rice straw by co-digestion with kitchen waste and pig manure

In order to investigate the effect of feedstock ratios in biogas production, anaerobic co-digestions of rice straw with kitchen waste and pig manure were carried out. A series of single-stage batch mesophilic (37 ± 1 °C) anaerobic digestions were performed at a substrate concentration of 54 g/L based on volatile solids (VS). The results showed that the optimal ratio of kitchen waste, pig manure, and rice straw was 0.4:1.6:1, for which the C/N ratio was 21.7. The methane content was 45.9–70.0% and rate of VS reduction was 55.8%. The biogas yield of 674.4 L/kg VS was higher than that of the digestion of rice straw or pig manure alone by 71.67% and 10.41%, respectively. Inhibition of biogas production by volatile fatty acids (VFA) occurred when the addition of kitchen waste was greater than 26%. The VFA analysis showed that, in the reactors that successfully produced biogas, the dominant intermediate metabolites were propionate and acetate, while they were lactic acid, acetate, and propionate in the others.     

Decomposition of forest products buried in landfills

The objective of this study was to investigate the decomposition of selected wood and paper products in landfills. The decomposition of these products under anaerobic landfill conditions results in the generation of biogenic carbon dioxide and methane, while the un-decomposed portion represents a biogenic carbon sink. Information on the decomposition of these municipal waste components is used to estimate national methane emissions inventories, for attribution of carbon storage credits, and to assess the life-cycle greenhouse gas impacts of wood and paper products. Hardwood (HW), softwood (SW), plywood (PW), oriented strand board (OSB), particleboard (PB), medium-density fiberboard (MDF), newsprint (NP), corrugated container (CC) and copy paper (CP) were buried in landfills operated with leachate recirculation, and were excavated after approximately 1.5 and 2.5 yr. Samples were analyzed for cellulose (C), hemicellulose (H), lignin (L), volatile solids (VS), and organic carbon (OC). A holocellulose decomposition index (HOD) and carbon storage factor (CSF) were calculated to evaluate the extent of solids decomposition and carbon storage. Samples of OSB made from HW exhibited cellulose plus hemicellulose (C + H) loss of up to 38%, while loss for the other wood types was 0–10% in most samples. The C + H loss was up to 81%, 95% and 96% for NP, CP and CC, respectively. The CSFs for wood and paper samples ranged from 0.34 to 0.47 and 0.02 to 0.27 g OC g^?1 dry material, respectively. These results, in general, correlated well with an earlier laboratory-scale study, though NP and CC decomposition measured in this study were higher than previously reported.     

DETERMINATION OF ORGANIC PARAMETERS IN WASTE AND LEACHATES FROM THE HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL OF RAINDORF; GERMANY

Extensive investigations of leachates and solid waste samples for organic sum parameters and environmentally relevant organic compounds were carried out at the hazardous waste landfill of Raindorf, which is operated in accordance with German Technical Instructions on Waste (TI Waste). The measurements showed that the majority of the waste samples contained only minor amounts of phenols, highly volatile chlorinated organic compounds (VCHC), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The concentrations ranged from less than 100μg/kg⁻¹up to 1000μg/kg⁻¹of dry substance. Only hydrocarbons were detected in higher concentrations (mg to g kg⁻¹of dry substance). In most leachate and gas samples taken at the landfill, the concentrations of the abovementioned parameters were close to or even below the detection limit. The measurement of organic single compounds underlined the usefulness of the sum parameters, adsorbable organic halogen compounds and phenol index, for the estimation of the total amount of these substances. A comparison of organic sum parameter concentrations measured in leachates from landfills of differing ages indicates that the application of TI Waste leads to a reduction of the organic load in the leachate.     

Microbiological characterization and specific methanogenic activity of anaerobe sludges used in urban solid waste treatment

This study presents the microbiological characterization of the anaerobic sludge used in a two-stage anaerobic reactor for the treatment of organic fraction of urban solid waste (OFUSW). This treatment is one alternative for reducing solid waste in landfills at the same time producing a biogas (CH(4) and CO(2)) and an effluent that can be used as biofertilizer. The system was inoculated with sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) (Río Frío Plant in Bucaramanga-Colombia) and a methanogenic anaerobic digester for the treatment of pig manure (Mesa de los Santos in Santander). Bacterial populations were evaluated by counting groups related to oxygen sensitivity, while metabolic groups were determined by most probable number (MPN) technique. Specific methanogenic activity (SMA) for acetate, formate, methanol and ethanol substrates was also determined. In the acidogenic reactor (R1), volatile fatty acids (VFA) reached values of 25,000 mg L(-1) and a concentration of CO(2) of 90%. In this reactor, the fermentative population was predominant (10(5)-10(6)MPN mL(-1)). The acetogenic population was (10(5)MPN mL(-1)) and the sulphate-reducing population was (10(4)-10(5)MPN mL(-1)). In the methanogenic reactor (R2), levels of CH(4) (70%) were higher than CO(2) (25%), whereas the VFA values were lower than 4000 mg L(-1). Substrate competition between sulphate-reducing (10(4)-10(5)MPN mL(-1)) and methanogenic bacteria (10(5)MPN mL(-1)) was not detected. From the SMA results obtained, acetoclastic (2.39 g COD-CH(4)g(-1)VSS(-1)day(-1)) and hydrogenophilic (0.94 g COD-CH(4)g(-1)VSS(-1)day(-1)) transformations as possible metabolic pathways used by methanogenic bacteria is suggested from the SMA results obtained. Methanotrix sp., Methanosarcina sp., Methanoccocus sp. and Methanobacterium sp. were identified.     

Adsorption studies of caesium on zirconium molybdoarsenate (ZrMAs)

The applicability of zirconium molybdoarsenate (ZrMAs) for efficient removal of Cs from aqueous solution by adsorption has been investigated. The kinetics of adsorption of caesium ions has been studied by using radioanalytical procedure over a concentration range (10⁻⁴−10⁻² mol dm⁻³) and in the temperature range (303–318 K). The results showed that the uptake follows the first order rate law with respect to caesium concentration and obeys Langmuir and Modified Freundlich adsorption isotherms in the concentration studied. The effect of temperature on adsorption equilibrium has been studied and the thermodynamic quantities (ΔH^o, ΔG^o and ΔS^o) has been evaluated. They showed that the process is exothermic in nature.