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Electron transfer capacity as a rapid and simple maturity index for compost
Yong Yuan1, Ya Tao, Shungui Zhou
1Guangdong Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
Bioresource Technology
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Electron transfer capacity (ETC) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) offers a rapid and reagent-free method to assess composting maturity. These electron transfer capacity parameters strongly correlate with the germination index, indicating compost quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition changes significantly during composting.
- DOM composition is closely linked to the degree of organic matter decomposition and compost maturity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and validate electron transfer capacity (ETC) as a novel maturity index for composting.
- To evaluate the correlation between ETC parameters and compost quality indicators.
Main Methods:
- Measuring electron accept capacity (EAC) and electron recycle rate (ERR) of DOM.
- Correlating EAC and ERR with the germination index (GI) as a measure of compost maturity.
Main Results:
- Electron transfer capacity (ETC) parameters, including EAC and ERR, increase with composting progression.
- High correlations were observed between EAC and GI (r=0.9273) and ERR and GI (r=0.9501).
- ETC measurements are rapid and require no chemical reagent preparation.
Conclusions:
- Electron transfer capacity (ETC) parameters are reliable indicators of compost maturity.
- These simple and rapid ETC measurements offer a potential alternative for evaluating composting processes.
- ETC provides a valuable tool for rapid compost quality assessment.
