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Nitrogen transformation and dynamic changes in related functional genes during functional-membrane covered aerobic
Jinpeng Xiong1, Shuangshuang Ma2, Xueqin He1
1Engineering Laboratory for AgroBiomass Recycling & Valorizing, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.
Bioresource Technology
|April 8, 2021
Summary
Functional membrane covering (FMC) enhances aerobic composting by increasing pile temperature and maturity. This method significantly reduces nitrogen loss, ammonia, and nitrous oxide emissions by altering key microbial genes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Aerobic composting is crucial for waste management and nutrient recycling.
- Nitrogen loss during composting, primarily as ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), reduces fertilizer value and contributes to air pollution.
- Controlling nitrogen transformation and emissions requires understanding microbial community dynamics and gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of functional membrane covering (FMC) on nitrogen transformation during aerobic composting.
- To analyze the effects of FMC on key functional genes involved in nitrogen cycling.
- To quantify changes in ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions under FMC.
Main Methods:
- A comparative experimental approach was used to assess FMC effects.
- Composting pile temperature, maturity, and nitrogen forms were monitored.
- Abundance of functional genes (amoA, nirK, nirS, nosZ) was quantified using gene copy numbers.
- Emissions of NH3 and N2O were measured and correlated with environmental parameters and gene expression.
Main Results:
- FMC significantly increased pile temperature and promoted compost maturity.
- Nitrogen loss was decreased, with NH3 and N2O emissions reduced by 7.34% and 26.27%, respectively.
- FMC up-regulated the amoA gene, enhancing ammonia oxidation, and altered denitrifying genes (down-regulating nirK/nirS, up-regulating nosZ), contributing to N2O reduction.
- A water film and micro-positive pressure under the membrane effectively contained NH3.
Conclusions:
- Functional membrane covering is an effective strategy to mitigate nitrogen loss during aerobic composting.
- FMC influences nitrogen transformation by modulating the abundance of key functional genes involved in nitrification and denitrification.
- The study highlights the potential of FMC for improving compost quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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