Anaerobic biodegradability test for Lantana camara to optimize the appropriate food to microorganism (F/M) ratio

• Published in: Environmental technology Vol. 41; no. 24; pp. 3191 - 3198
• Main Authors: Saha, Biswanath, Sathyan, Arun, Kalamdhad, Ajay S., Khwairakpam, Meena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 27.10.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Batch reactors; biochemical methane production (BMP); Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Cattle manure; Chemical oxygen demand; Dung; Fatty acids; Food; food to microorganism ratio; Lantana camara; Methane; Microorganisms; Natural resources; Nutrients; Substrates; Terrestrial weed; Volatile solids
• ISSN: 0959-3330; 1479-487X
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1604810

Invasion of Lantana camara all over the world and its management is a global problematic issue. Its rapid growth and competition with natural resources such as space, water, and nutrients of other plants, reasons for the demand to manage this noxious weed. This study was done to optimize the ideal food to microorganism (F/M) ratio. Different food to microorganism (F/M) ratios of 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 were studied along with one control where only cow dung was kept. Highest methane production was obtained from the F/M ratio of 1.5 (195.5 ± 8 mL CH 4 /g VS) and cumulative methane production from it was 4801.5 mL followed by ratios 2 and 2.5 respectively. In control, methane production was relatively low as compared to all the F/M ratios (2151.5 ± 8 mL). 20 L capacity batch reactor was performed with a working volume of 15.5 L where substrate and cow dung were fed according to the best ratio found during biochemical methane potential trial (BMP). Maximum methane yield was observed on the 19th day (2650 ± 18 ml CH 4 /g VS). Maximum volatile solids (VS) reduction was observed in the F/M ratio 1.5 (49.63%) followed by 2 and 2.5 respectively. The maximum amount of volatile fatty acid (VFA) was produced in F/M ratio 1.5 (715 ± 10) and 2 (715 ± 15) followed by ratios 2.5 and 1 respectively. Maximum soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) was found in F/M ratio 1.5 (8000 mg/L). Morphological changes were captured in FESEM and XRD.