Sensory Assessment and Characterization of Odor Nuisance Emissions during the Composting of Wastewater Biosolids

• Published in: Water environment research Vol. 81; no. 7; pp. 670 - 679
• Main Authors: Suffet, I. H. (Mel), Decottignies, V., Senante, E., Bruchet, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA Water Environment Federation 01.07.2009; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Allium sativum; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biosolids compost; Cabbages; Chemicals; Compost; compost odor wheel; Composting; Dilution; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fatty acids; General purification processes; General treatment and storage processes; Hydrogen sulfide; Molecular weight; Odor emissions; Odor nuisance; odor profile method; Odorants - analysis; Odorants - prevention & control; Odors; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Plants; Pollution; Refuse Disposal - methods; Soil - analysis; Spectrum analysis; Volatilization; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastes; Wastewater; Wastewater treatment; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution; Compost; Hydrocarbon; Waste treatment; Volatile organic compound; Sewage sludge; Pollutant emission; Waste water; Ammonia; Composting; Terpene; Air pollution; Biological treatment; Odor; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 1061-4303; 1554-7531
• DOI: 10.2175/106143008X390762

Compost plants produce odorous compounds that can cause an "odor nuisance" to neighbors. Methods to evaluate odors exist, but they are not relevant for determining olfactory nuisance. The objectives of this study were to characterize by sensory means the odor nuisance (character and intensity) from composting plants that treat raw biosolids from wastewater plants. Research determined odor character and intensity by the "odor profile method" from raw biosolids, off-gases from the final compost product, and air samples from compost processing. Odor nuisance categories were defined on a "compost odor wheel". Eleven odor categories were determined from a total of 45 observed primary and secondary odor notes: (1) fishy/ammonia; (2) fragrant/fruity; (3) terpene/pineAemon; (4) solventy/hydrocarbon; (5) grassy/woody/smoky; (6) earthy/musty/moldy; (7) rancid; (8) putrid/dead animal; (9) sweet; (10) sulfur/cabbage/garlic; and (11) fecal/sewery. The odor profile method and the compost odor wheel are suggested as a way to define odor nuisance from a compost plant.