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Optimizing source-separated feces degradation and fertility using nitrifying microorganisms.

Shervin Hashemi¹, Mooyoung Han¹

¹Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Environmental Management

|November 12, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Resource-oriented sanitation (ROS) systems can improve human feces into fertilizer using nitrifying microorganisms. Adding specific amounts of Nitrosomonas Europaea and Nitrobacter Winogradskyi bio-seeds enhanced organic matter degradation and optimized fertilizer quality.

Keywords:

Nitrifying microorganisms Nitrobacter Winogradskyi Nitrosomonas Europaea Resource-oriented sanitation Source-separated feces

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Microbiology
Agricultural Science

Background:

Resource-oriented sanitation (ROS) systems process human waste for beneficial reuse, typically as fertilizer.
Challenges in ROS include high waste volume, slow degradation, and poor fertility management.
Nitrifying microorganisms offer a potential solution for waste treatment and nutrient enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of specific nitrifying microorganisms on the biodegradation and nutrient content of source-separated human feces.
To determine optimal microbial seeding for enhancing organic matter decomposition and fertilizer quality in ROS systems.

Main Methods:

Source-separated human feces were treated with varying concentrations of Nitrosomonas Europaea and Nitrobacter Winogradskyi bio-seeds.
Organic matter degradation, nitrogen content, and pH were analyzed to assess treatment efficacy.
Microbial growth, particularly heterotrophic microorganisms, was monitored.

Main Results:

Seeding with 7,000-8,000+ N. Europaea cells and 10,000 N. Winogradskyi cells per gram of feces achieved up to 90% organic matter degradation.
This microbial treatment significantly enhanced the growth of heterotrophic microorganisms.
The nitrogen composition and pH of the treated feces were optimized to meet standard fertilizer criteria.

Conclusions:

Controlled application of N. Europaea and N. Winogradskyi effectively biodegrades human feces in ROS systems.
This method reduces waste volume and improves fecal matter to meet fertilizer standards.
The findings support the use of microbial enhancement for sustainable waste management and resource recovery in sanitation.