Characteristic of compost materials
The pHs of the composting materials (LS, CD, CM and SD) were between the ranges of 7.37 to 8.54 and the moisture ranged from 39.16 to 42.52% (Table 1).
Table 1. Characteristics of compost ingredients
|
Materials
|
Dry matter (%)
|
Moisture (%)
|
pH
|
Liming sludge
|
60.84±0.30
|
39.16± 0.30
|
8.51± 0.53
|
Cow dung
|
55.66±0.41
|
44.34± 0.41
|
7.23± 0.61
|
Chicken Manure
|
60.26±0.65
|
39.74± 0.65
|
7.37± 0.74
|
Sawdust
|
57.48±0.67
|
42.52± 0.67
|
7.51± 0.47
|
It is well known that a wide pH range is responsible for the composting process. Hung et al. [28] reported that typically the optimal pH range 6.5 to 8.5 is favoured for composting, but if the range is higher, this pH range will result in ammonia volatilization and odour problems. Table 2 shows the physicochemical properties of the mixed compost materials for three different piles. The pH of the compost mixture was within 7.8 to 8.2, which is optimum for the composting process.
Table 2. Physicochemical parameters of raw liming sludge mixture
|
Parameters
|
P#1
|
P#2
|
P#3
|
Unit
|
pH
|
7.9±0.3
|
7.8±0.4
|
8.2±0.2
|
-
|
TDS
|
5.12±0.3
|
3.8±0.4
|
5.51±0.5
|
g/L
|
Salinity
|
5.9±0.2
|
4.2±0.3
|
6.3±0.3
|
Ppt
|
Conductivity
|
12.09±0.1
|
8.81±0.2
|
11.62±0.3
|
mS
|
Characteristics of compost
Table 3 shows the physicochemical properties e.g., pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, conductivity, moisture (%), dry matter (%), fixed solids (%), volatile solids (%) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the final compost. The pH of the compost was found within 7.4 to 7.6 which had decreased over time. During composting, initially, pH becomes low due to organic acid formation which indicates the progress of the composting process; towards the end, the pH becomes neutral. The generated organic acids are then transformed into methane and carbon dioxide. After maturation of compost, pH of compost piles P#1, P#2 and P#3 were 7.6, 7.4 and 7.6, respectively. On the other hand, TDS, salinity and conductivity had increased which indicates that the organic materials had been broken down into smaller parts.
Table 3. Physicochemical parameters of the final compost
|
Parameters
|
P#1
|
P#2
|
P#3
|
Unit
|
pH
|
7.6±0.4
|
7.4±0.2
|
7.6±0.3
|
-
|
TDS
|
7.16±0.2
|
7.42±0.3
|
7.31±0.1
|
g/L
|
Salinity
|
8.5±0.1
|
8.7±0.2
|
7.4±0.1
|
Ppt
|
Conductivity
|
16.72±0.3
|
17.62±0.4
|
13.02±0.2
|
mS
|
Moisture
|
39.15±0.25
|
41.81±0.29
|
43.83±0.36
|
%
|
Dry matter
|
60.83±0.25
|
58.19±0.29
|
56.19±0.36
|
%
|
Fixed solids
|
49.61±0.79
|
55.30±1.39
|
50.07±0.79
|
%
|
Volatile solids
|
50.39±0.79
|
44.70±1.39
|
49.93±0.788
|
%
|
It is clear from Table 3 the highest amount of dry matter (60.83%) was in the compost pile P#1 that fulfils both the standards of Switzerland and Great Britain [29]. The dry matter in the piles P#2 and P#3 was nearly the same amount, which was 58.19% and 56.19%, respectively. These values have fulfilled the standard of Switzerland and Great Britain but are significantly below the standard of India [29]. The volatile solids content in composts P#1, P#2 and P#3 were 50.39%, 44.70% and 49.93%, respectively. The loss of volatile solids in the compost is the result of microbial decay of organic matter of the compost ingredients.
Monitoring of compost pile temperature
Temperature changes in compost piles P#1, P#2 and P#3 during composting is shown in Fig. 2. The figures illustrate that in each pile there was a drastic change in temperature after a time interval. The highest temperature found in P#1, P#2 and P#3 were 59.69°C, 64.41°C and 63.36°C on the 11th, 12th and 18th day of composting, respectively.
Till the 56th day of composting, the temperature varied from 40°C to the highest temperature found for each pile. At this temperature range, thermophilic bacteria accelerate the breakdown of proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates. Also, the high temperature ensures the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms. The compost piles were frequently revolved when the temperature was around 40°C. Revolving is an important factor during composting because air circulation causes rapid growth of microorganisms as well as expansion of microorganism activities whereas the shortage of oxygen supports the growth of anaerobic microorganism resulting in an unpleasant odor [29].
After revolving, the temperature rises again to continue the thermophilic phase. The temperature in the range from 55 to 65°C allows for considerable destruction of pathogenic organism [30].30 Therefore, the compost piles were revolved when the temperature became stable or below the thermophilic range (<40°C). It is noticeable in the figures that there are peaks and troughs which are the result of frequent (weekly) revolving of compost pile during the composting process. In this study, compost piles (P#1, P#2 and P#3) show the normal temperature change patterns. Usually temperature changes during composting are used as the feedback parameter of the process. In this case, there were no remarkable temperature differences among the compost piles. Up to the 56th day, the temperature was above 40°C; afterwards, it gradually decreased although the compost piles were revolved which indicates the degradation of the solid wastes was completed.
Monitoring of day temperature
During composting, the day temperature was monitored for the period of composting. Fig. 3 depicts the day temperature during the composting. This study was conducted at the end of August; therefore, from the beginning of composting, the temperature gradually decreased.
On the first day of composting (1st day), the temperature was 33.03°C and then gradually it was increased to 34.49°C. The highest and the lowest day temperature during the composting period was 34.49°C (2nd day) and 21.42°C (61th day), respectively. When compared, results show that the day temperature change does not affect the compost pile temperature. It is clear that at the end of composting, the pile temperature was close to the day temperature e.g., on the 80th day, it was 24.35°C and the temperatures of P#1, P#2, and P#3 were 25.71°C, 28.93°C and 29.96°C, respectively.
Quality of compost
NPKS content in compost
Table 4 shows the compost nutrients in terms of N, P, K, and S for each compost pile. The Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) in compost piles P#1, P#2 and P#3 were 0.8%, 0.6%, and 1.1%, respectively. The amount of TKN content in the compost also fulfilled both standards of India and Great Britain [29]. Only TKN content in compost pile P#3 fulfilled the standard of Switzerland. However, the K content of all the compost piles was 0.6% which fulfilled the Great Britain standard but was below the Indian standard. The P values of the compost were within the standard range of India. The S content in the compost was within the Bangladeshi standard but there is no standard value for Switzerland or India or Great Britain. However, the nutrient of compost was enough for the soil conditioner.
Table 4. Quality of final liming sludge compost
|
Parameters
|
P#1
|
P#2
|
P#3
|
Unit
|
Nitrogen (N)
|
0.8±0.1
|
0.6±0.03
|
1.1±0.3
|
%
|
Phosphorus (P)
|
0.7±0.13
|
0.5±0.01
|
0.8±0.15
|
%
|
Potassium (K)
|
0.6±0.11
|
0.6±0.02
|
0.6±0.07
|
%
|
Sulphur (S)
|
0.4±0.02
|
0.5±0.1
|
0.5±0.05
|
%
|
Cr
|
18.15± 5.3
|
21.02± 4.3
|
19.7± 3.8
|
mg/kg
|
Pb
|
ND
|
3.30±0.5
|
1.84±0.2
|
mg/kg
|
Cu
|
21.20±2.7
|
19.01±3.01
|
20.68±1.7
|
mg/kg
|
Zn
|
152.64±3.8
|
128.78±4.9
|
148.22±7.04
|
mg/kg
|
Ni
|
6.22±1.5
|
5.40±1.4
|
6.93±2.01
|
mg/kg
|
Cd
|
3.96±2.1
|
5.78±0.9
|
4.83±1.1
|
mg/kg
|
Metal content in compost
Table 4 shows the metal element of the final compost. The amount of metals content e.g., Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd were lower in the three piles for utilization in agricultural activities [29].29 The highest and lowest amount of Zn in the compost pile P#1 and P#2 was 152.64 and 128.78 mg/kg which is significantly below for inland land tracts. However, it is seen that all metal values in the compost piles satisfy the requirements for use in agricultural land, with no risk of soil or plant contamination.
Phytotoxicity of Compost
Seven (7) days after sowing, ladies finger (A. esculentus) seed germination was observed. The germination found for the three compost is shown in Fig. 4. In crock1, germination was observed after 7 days where the seeds begin to germinate. In crock 2 and crock 3, the germination was observed for 10 days and 12 days, respectively. It is clear that after 10 as well as 12 days the seeds were germinated with two leaves.
The maturity of compost dictates the completion of degradation of the compost mixture and the completion of the process [31]. The stability of the prepared compost was ensured by the consistent temperature of the compost and freeing of odour from decomposition. This indicates sufficient microbial biomass activity [32] which is necessary for nutrient transfer. It reveals the existing condition of phytotoxic organic acids in the compost. The heavy metal and NPKS analysis showed the numeric value of the nutrient and the seed germination test which assures the maturity, stability and phytotoxic level of the compost. The growth of the seedling satisfies the inquiry about the applicability of the compost on an industrial scale.
SEM analysis
The morphological study of the liming sludge mixed with matrix and final compost were examined through SEM. Fig. 5 depicts the SEM of primary raw liming sludge mixture with matrix and the final compost.
The left panel depicts (P#1a, P#2a, P#3a) the liming sludge mixed with matrix and right panel indicates (P#1b, P#2b, P#3b) the final compost. The SEM images of the initial raw mixture sample shows the aggregate of biomass where the matrix is firmly bonded. This is consistent with the study conducted by Ravindran and Sekaran [22]. The final compost manure expresses progressive degradation by microbial organisms. This indicates that the microorganism i. e., bacteria have attacked the composting materials and degraded and separated the particles. The images provide visual assurance about the stability and maturity of the compost into humus-rich organic components. Similar images were also found during bacterial composting carried out by Zhang et al. [33] Ravindran and Sekaran [22]. This leads to the conclusion that the microbes attacked non-fibrillar proteins and denatured these during composting.
Implications of the study
Bangladesh produces around 2.55×106–3.4×106 m3 wastewater every year from 85000 tons of raw hide/skin processing5,8 to convert into leather. During leather processing, basic chromium sulfate (Cr(OH)(SO4)) is utilized worldwide [34, 35]. Before discharging the wastewater, inorganic coagulants are applied to precipitate the settleable solids known as tannery sludge [36, 37]. This sludge contains heavy metals (especially chromium), organic compound, as well as pathogenic micro-organisms [38]. The toxic heavy metals in tannery sludge render a challenge to apply the sludge as a fertilizer [39], land filler [40] or soil amendment material [41]. However, application of these disposal methods causes the plants to take up the heavy metals, disturb agricultural output, poses potential ecological threats, and promotes secondary pollution [42, 43].
About 60-70% of the tannery sludge is generated from hair dissolving liming operation7 where the wastewater stream contains keratin, non-structural protein e.g., albumins, globulins, etc. along subcutaneous adipose tissue but no heavy metals. The sludge generated from liming operation only is enriched with carbonaceous materials which pose no above mentioned threat during application. This study will not only decrease the sludge load but also establish a hazard less pre-treatment free application method. This will also lessen the sludge load in CETP and produce an environmentally sound value added product.