Reducing nitrogen loss and phytotoxicity during beer vinasse composting with biochar addition

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 61; pp. 150 - 156
• Main Authors: Wang, Xueqin, Zhao, Yue, Wang, Huan, Zhao, Xinyu, Cui, Hongyang, Wei, Zimin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Beer; Beer vinasse; Biochar addition; Charcoal; China; Composting; Fertilizers; Germination - drug effects; Industrial Waste; Microbial Consortia - physiology; Nitrogen; Nitrogen - analysis; Nitrogen - metabolism; Seeds - drug effects; Soil; Toxicity Tests; Waste Management - methods; Beer vinasse; Composting; Nitrogen; Biochar addition
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.12.024

[Display omitted] •Composting of beer vinasse from brewing industry was feasible except high N loss.•Biochar accelerated the decomposition of DOC indicating high microbial activity.•Biochar at 15% addition promoted nitrification and reduced N loss by 27%.•Biochar addition contributed to attain phytotoxicity-free standard rapidly.•A final concentration of 15% biochar was optimal. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of composting of beer vinasse generated from brewing industry, the effect of biochar amendment on beer vinasse composting was also evaluated based on the changes of different physicochemical parameters, phytotoxicity and final compost quality. Four different treatments were performed of beer vinasse with biochar addition at 0, 5%, 10%, 15% (w/w dry basis). The final product obtained from beer vinasse composting was phytotoxicity-free (GI: 120.8%), mature (C/N: 19.88, NH4+-N: 295.0mg/kg, DOC: 9.76g/kg) and nutrient-rich (especially for P: 1.92%) compost except high N loss (60.76%), which had the potential to be as soil amendment or fertilizer. Biochar addition contributed to decomposition of DOC indicating higher microbial activity and attain phytotoxicity-free standard rapidly. N loss significantly reduced by 27% with biochar at 15% addition. And 15% biochar addition ensured all parameters, which was involved in composts quality, to attain the mature standard. Therefore, it was suggested that biochar addition at 15% was optimal.