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Enhancing microplastics biodegradation during composting using livestock manure biochar.

Yue Sun1, Sabry M Shaheen2, Esmat F Ali3

  • 1College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, PR China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|April 24, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Livestock manure biochar significantly enhances the biodegradation of polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics (PHA-MPs) during composting. This biochar addition boosts microbial activity and chemical breakdown, reducing PHA-MPs in organic waste.

Keywords:
Biodegradable plasticsBiodegradationBiowastesEnvironmental remediationMicrobial community

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Microplastic (MP) biodegradation in contaminated biowastes is a growing concern.
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics (PHA-MPs) are biodegradable but their fate in compost needs further study.
  • The role of additives like biochar in MP degradation during composting is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of livestock manure biochar (LMBC) on PHA-MP biodegradation during composting.
  • To quantify changes in PHA-MP degradation rates and chemical properties with LMBC addition.
  • To analyze the effects of LMBC on microbial communities and their relationship with PHA-MP degradation.

Main Methods:

  • Composting experiments were conducted using cow manure, sawdust, PHA-MPs, and LMBC (10% wt/wt).
  • A control group without LMBC was used for comparison.
  • PHA-MP degradation, carbon loss, oxygen loading, chemical functional groups, and microbial community composition were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • LMBC significantly (P < 0.05) promoted PHA-MP biodegradation, with maximum degradation rates (22-31%) in the thermophilic stage.
  • LMBC accelerated C-H bond cleavage and oxidation of PHA-MPs, increasing O-H, CO, and C-O functional groups.
  • LMBC enhanced the abundance of key microorganisms (e.g., Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacillus, Aspergillus) and their correlation with PHA-MP degradation.

Conclusions:

  • LMBC addition effectively accelerates PHA-MP biodegradation in compost.
  • LMBC enhances microbial activity and alters chemical properties of PHA-MPs, facilitating degradation.
  • These findings offer a strategy for reducing PHA-MPs in compost and safely recycling contaminated organic wastes.