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Effect of initial moisture content and sample storage duration on compost stability using the ORG0020 dynamic
Nisha N Gurusamy1, Natalie Puffer1, Coen de Jongh1
1School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|March 12, 2021
Summary
Moisture content and storage duration significantly impact compost stability testing. Adjusting moisture content within 40-60% can alter results, while cold storage decreases activity over time.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Biological tests are crucial for assessing compost stability.
- Standardized testing requires defined limits for moisture content (MC) and storage duration, which are currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of moisture content and storage duration on compost stability using the ORG0020 dynamic respiration test.
- To provide data supporting boundary limits for standardized compost stability testing.
Main Methods:
- Assessed stability of green waste and mixed waste composts using the ORG0020 dynamic respiration test.
- Manipulated moisture content within 40-60% using the 'fist' test.
- Evaluated samples over several weeks of cold storage and within nine days of receipt.
Main Results:
- Moisture content manipulation within 40-60% significantly impacted measured stability in some samples.
- Two samples showed higher activity when MC increased from ~50% to ~60%.
- Cold storage led to a significant decrease in measured activity over weeks, but stability was consistent up to nine days post-receipt.
Conclusions:
- Findings will inform boundary limit decisions for moisture content and storage time in the ORG0020 test.
- Results offer insights applicable to a broader range of compost biological stability tests.
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