Stability and Kinetic Analysis during Vermicomposting of Sewage Sludge

Authors: Ashish Kumar Nayak, Dhamodharan K., Ajay S. Kalamdhad

Abstract:

The present study is aimed at alteration of sewage sludge into stable compost product using vermicomposting of sewage sludge mixed with cattle manure and saw dust in five different proportions based on C/N ratios (C/N 15 (R1), 20 (R2), 25 (R3) and 30 (R4); and control (R5)) by employing an epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. Higher reductions in C/N ratio, CO₂ evolution and OUR were observed in R4 demonstrated the compost stability. In addition, R4 proved to be best combination for the growth of the earthworms. In order to observe the optimal degradation, kinetics for degradation of organic matter in vermicomposting were quantitatively evaluated. An approach model was developed by assuming that composting process is carried out in a homogeneous way and the kinetics for decomposition reaction is represented by a Monod-type equation. The results exhibit comparable variations in the kinetic constants K_m and K₃ under varying parameters during vermicomposting process. Results suggested that higher R² value in R4, enhanced suitability towards Lineweaver-Burke plot. R4 yields higher degradability coefficient (K) reveals that the occurrence of optimal nutrient balance, which not only enhanced the affinity of enzymes towards substrate but also improved its degradation process. Therefore, it can be proved that R4 provided to be the best feed combination for vermicomposting process as compared to other reactors.

Keywords: Vermicomposting, Eisenia fetida, Sewage sludge, C/N ratio, Stability, Enzyme kinetics concept.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1336466

References:

[1] T.R. Fermor, "Applied aspects of composting and bioconversion of lingocellulosic materials: An overview,” International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, vol. 31, pp. 87-106, 1993.
[2] M. Tuomela, M. Vikman, A. Hatakka, and M. Itavaara, "Biodegradation of lignin in a compost environment: A review,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 72, pp. 169-183, 2000.
[3] T. He, S.J. Traina, and T. Lagan, "Chemical properties of municipal solid waste composts,” Journal of Environmental Quality, vol. 21, pp. 318-329, 1992.
[4] M. Khwairakpam, and R. Bhargava, "Vermitechnology for sewage sludge recycling,” Journal of Hazardous Material, vol. 161, pp. 948-954, 2009.
[5] P.M. Ndegwa, and S.A. Thompson, "Integrating composting and vermicomposting the treatment and bioconversion of biosolids,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 76, pp. 107-112, 2001.
[6] H.B. Gotaas, Composting-sanitary, disposal and reclamation of organic wastes, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1956.
[7] N.V. Hue, and J. Liu, "Predicting compost stability,” Compost Science & Utilization, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 8-15, 1995.
[8] T. Eggen, and O. Vethe, "Stability indices for different composts,” Compost Science & Utilization, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 27-37, 2001.
[9] D.M. Sullivan, and R.O. Miller, "Compost quality attributes, measurements and variability,” In: P.J. Stoffella & P.A. Kahn (Eds.), Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems, CRC Press, 2001.
[10] FCQAO, Methods book for the analysis of compost-in addition with the results of the parallel interlaboratory test. Federal Compost Quality Assurance Organization, Stuttgart, Germany, 1993.
[11] Washington State, Interim guidelines for compost quality, Department of Ecology Solid Waste Services Program, Technical Assistance Section, Olympia, WA, 1994.
[12] A.S. Kalamdhad, M. Pasha, and A.A. Kazmi, "Stability evaluation of compost by respiration techniques in a rotary drum composter,” Resource, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 52, pp. 829-834, 2008.
[13] T. Naganawa, K.H. Kyuma, and K. Tatsuyama, "Automatic measurement of CO2 evolution in multiple samples in small chambers,” Soil Science & Plant Nutrition, vol.36, no.1, pp. 141-143, 1990.
[14] J.D. Knoepp, and J.M. Vose, "Quantitative comparison of in situ soil CO2 flux measurement method,” USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station: Research Paper, SRS-28, 2002.
[15] W.T. Palestky, and J.C. Young, "Stability measurement of biosolids compost by aerobic respirometry,” Compost Science & Utilization, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 16-24, 1995.
[16] K.E. Iannotti , E.K. Papadimitriou, and C. Balis, "Compost stability,” Biocycle, vol. 11, pp. 62-6, 1996.
[17] D.A. Iannotti, M.E. Grebus, B.L. Toth, L.V. Madden, and H. A. J. Hoitink, "Oxygen respirometry to assess stability and maturity of composted municipal solid waste,” Journal of Environmental Quality, vol. 23, pp. 1177-1183, 1994.
[18] F. Adani, P. Lozzi, and P. Genevini, "Determination of biological stability by oxygen uptake on municipal solid waste and derived products,” Compost Science & Utilization, vol. 9, pp. 163-178, 2001.
[19] T. Gea, R. Barrrena, A. Artola, and A. Sanchez, "Monitoring the biological activity of the composting process: oxygen uptake rate (OUR), respirometric index (RI) and respiratory quotient (RQ),” Biotechnology & Bioengineering, vol. 88, pp. 520-527, 2004.
[20] D.S. Whang, and G.F. Meenaghan, "Kinetic model of composting process,” Compost Science & Utilization, vol. 21, pp. 44-46, 1980.
[21] H. Takabayashi, T. Kanaya, and K. Karashima, "Biokinetic analysis of composting fermentation,” Environmental Technology, vol. 11, pp. 94-100, 1992.
[22] H. Kaneko, and K. Fujita, "Realtionships among aeration, oxygen concentration and reaction efficiency in composting,” Urban Sanitary, vol. 43, pp.383-390, 1990.
[23] P. Agamuthu, L.C. Chang, S. Hasan, and V.V. Praven, "Kinetic evaluation of composting of agriculture wastes,” Environmental Technology, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 185-192, 2000.
[24] J. Haimi, and V. Huhta, "Capacity of various organic residues to support adequate earthworm biomass for vermicomposting,” Biol. Fertil. Soils, vol. 2, pp. 23-27, 1986.
[25] R. Mohee, M.F.B. Driver, and N. Sobratee, "Transformation of spent broiler litter from exogenous matter to compost in as sub-tropical context,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 99, no. 1, pp. 128-136, 2008.
[26] M. Codell, and F.D. Verderame, "The determination of nitrogen in copper-titanium alloys,” Analytica Chimica Acta,vol. 11, pp. 40-47, 1954.
[27] K.E. Lasaridi, and E.I. Stentiford, "A simple respirometric technique for assessing compost stability,” Water Research, vol. 32, pp. 3717-3723, 1998.
[28] M.P. Bernal, C. Paredes, M.A. Sanchez-Monedero, and J. Cegarra, "Maturity and stability parameters of composts prepared with a wide range of organic wastes,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 63, pp. 91-99, 1998.
[29] G. Tchobanoglolus, and H. Theisen, S. Vigil, Integrated solid waste management, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, 1993.
[30] R.T. Haung, The practical handbook of composting engineering, Lewis publishers, Boca Raton, 1993.
[31] M.J. Diaz, E. Madejon, F. Lopez, R. Lopez, and F. Cabrera, "Optimization of the rate vinasse/grape marc for co-composting process,” Process Biochemistry, vol. 37, pp. 1143-1150, 2002.
[32] Q.H. Bari, A. Koenig, and T. Gujhe, "Kinetic analysis of forced aeration composting reaction rates and temperature,” Waste Management & Research, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 303-312, 2000.
[33] D.L. Nelson, and M.M. Cox, Lehninger principles of biochemistry. 3rd edition, Worth Publishers, New York, 2000.