Influence of bulking agents on organic matter evolution during sewage sludge composting; consequences on compost organic matter stability and N availability

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 102; no. 2; pp. 1298 - 1307
• Main Authors: Doublet, J., Francou, C., Poitrenaud, M., Houot, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2011; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Availability; Biochemistry; Biodegradability; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of sewage sludges and wastes; Biotechnology; Bulking agent; Carbon; Carbon - analysis; Carbon mineralisation; Chemical Fractionation; Composting; Computer Science; Environment and pollution; Evolution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Life Sciences; Nitrogen - analysis; Nitrogen availability; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Organic Chemicals - chemical synthesis; Organic Chemicals - chemistry; Organic matter; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Pollution; Sewage - chemistry; Sewage sludge; Sludge; Sludge composting; Soil - chemistry; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Stability; Wastes; Water Purification - methods; Bulking agent; Organic matter; Nitrogen availability; Carbon mineralisation; Sludge composting; Compost; Stability; Available nutrient; Nitrogen; Sewage sludge; Carbon; Composting; Mineralization; Wastes; CARBON MINERALISATION; FRACTION BIOCHIMIQUE; BULKING AGENT; AGENT GONFLANT; SLUDGE COMPOSTING; SCIENCE DES SOLS; NITROGEN AVAILABILITY; ORGANIC MATTER
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.08.065

The influence of bulking agents on organic matter (OM) stability and nitrogen (N) availability in sludge composts was investigated. Seven mixtures were composted over a 12-week period in 170 L-reactors using the same sludge with different bulking agent mixtures. The OM evolution was characterised by carbon (C) and N mass balances in biochemical fractions. The evolution of OM stability and N potential availability were measured during soil incubations. The type of bulking agent had little influence on the intensity of OM stabilisation and the N availability in final composts. However, they influenced the time to reach similar OM stability and the biochemical evolution of OM. Depending on their ligno-cellulosic characteristics and a careful control of aeration, initial mixtures with high C:N ratio and rather biodegradable carbonaceous materials could favour the organisation of initially present mineral N or easily mineralisable sludge N and therefore limit NH 3 volatilisation responsible for the low compost N availability measured.