The determination of biological stability of composts using the Dynamic Respiration Index: The results of experience after two years

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 41 - 48
• Main Authors: Adani, Fabrizio, Ubbiali, Cesare, Generini, Pierluigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2006; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Air Movements; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Oxygen - metabolism; Soil; Soil Microbiology; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Temperature; Biological properties; Compost; Stability
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2005.01.025

Biological stability was ascertained by using the Dynamic Respiration Index (DRI) on 144 samples of compost during the years 2003 and 2004, as a routine service for private subjects. Data obtained were collected and are critically discussed in this paper by using other parameters registered during tests, i.e., biomass temperature ( T), specific airflow rate ( Q s) and biomass analytical data (pH). Good linear correlations were obtained for DRI vs. T, DRI vs. Q s and DRI vs. pH, confirming expected results based on the theoretical discussion. Consequently, using the analytical method proposed in this paper means both T and Q can be used as additional parameters for measurement of the biological stability of compost. As a result, T values of 25.8 and 30.5 °C, and specific airflow rate of 8.6 and 13.4 m 3 Mg −1 VS h −1 were found corresponding to 500 and 1000 mg O 2 kgVS −1 h −1, which, respectively, indicate a high and a medium degree of biological stability.