Comparison of composting factors, heavy metal immobilization, and microbial activity after biochar or lime...

Composting is an efficient way of disposing agricultural solid wastes as well as passivating heavy metals (HMs). Herein, equivalent (3%) biochar (BC) or lime (LM) were applied in rice straw and swine manure composting, with no additives applied as control group (CK). The results indicated that both the additives increased NO₃^--N content, organic matter degradation, humus formation, and HM immobilization in composting, and the overall improvement of lime was more significant. In addition, the additives optimized the bacterial community of compost, especially for thermophilic and mature phase. Lime stimulated the growth of Bacillus, Peptostreptococcus, Clostridium, Turicibacter, Clostridiaceae and Pseudomonas, which functioned well in HM passivation via biosorption, bioleaching, or promoting HM-humus formation by secreting hydrolases. Lime (3%) as additive is recommended in swine manure composting to promote composting maturity and reduce HM risk. The study present theoretical guidance in improving composting products quality for civil and industrial composting.