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1

Role of phytolith occluded carbon of cereales plants for climate change mitigation

Rutkowska Beata, Schröder Peter, Mench Michel, Rineau Francois, Szulc Witold, Szulc Wiesław, Pobereżny Jarosław, Tiideberg Kristjan, Niedziński Tomasz, Loit Evelin

Journal of Water and Land Development

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2024

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no. 60

50--58

EN

Phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) is highly stable, and constitutes an important source of long-term C storage in agrosystems. This stored carbon is resistant to the processes of oxidation of carbon compounds. In our research phytolith content in barley (Estonia) and oat (Poland) grain and straw was assessed at field trials, with Si as a liquid immune stimulant OPTYSIL and compost fertilisation. We showed that cereals can produce relatively high amounts of phytoliths. PhytOC plays a key role in carbon sequestration, particularly for poor, sandy Polish and Estonian soils. The phytolith content was always higher in straw than in grain regardless of the type of cereals. The phytolith content in oat grains varied from 18.46 to 21.28 mg∙g-1 DM, and in straw 27.89-38.97 mg∙g-1 DM. The phytolith content in barley grain ranged from 17.24 to 19.86 mg∙g-1 DM, and in straw from 22.06 to 49.08 mg∙g-1 DM. Our results suggest that oat ecosystems can absorb from 14.94 to 41.73 kg e-CO2∙ha-1 and barley absorb from 0.32 to 1.60 kg e-CO2∙ha-1. The accumulation rate of PhytOC can be increased 3-fold in Polish conditions through foliar application of silicon, and 5-fold in Estonian conditions. In parallel, the compost fertilisation increased the phytolith content in cereals.

2

Variability of Soil Microorganism Numbers in Response to Exogenous Organic Matter and Water-Absorbing Substrate

Truba Milena, Sosnowski Jacek, Wróbel Barbara, Krasnodębski Piotr

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2024

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Vol. 25, nr 3

223--233

EN

The aim of the research was to determine the variability of the total numbers of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi under stress associated with the presence of exogenous organic matter in the soil. Additonaly, the ratio of the total number of bacteria and actinomycetes to the number of fungi was calculated. Another goal of the experiment was to observe the effect of substrates absorbing water and minimizing drought stress on the number of soil microorganisms. Organic waste materials applied to the soil did not significantly affect the number of microorganisms, i.e. bacteria, actinomycetes or the ratio of bacteria and actinomycetes on the one hand to fungi on the other. The results of the research prove the possibility of utilizing organic matter produced by sewage treatment plants, waste treatment plants or mushroom farms as substances enriching the soil of urban green areas.

3

Efficacy of Compost and Vermicompost on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Common Beans Crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Al-Tawarah Batool, Alasasfa Muawya A., Mahadeen Atif Y.

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2024

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Vol. 25, nr 2

215--226

EN

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic fertilization to the sustainability of agricultural systems by recycling nutrients and improving the physical properties of the soil; two important types of organic fertilizers, namely vermicompost and compost were tested to study their effect on soil and growth of common bean ‘Sybaris’. They were mixed in different proportions of with soil by varying ratio: (100% soil, 100% compost, 100% vermicompost, 75% soil + 25% compost, 50% soil + 50% compost, 25% soil + 75% compost, 75% soil + 25% vermicompost, 50% soil + 50% vermicompost, 25% soil + 75% vermicompost, soil 33% + compost 33% + vermicompost 33%). The study findings showed ability of these two types of organic fertilizers to enrich plant growth, development and yield characteristics compared to the control treatment, with superiority of vermicompost, and there was also a clear discrepancy related to the rate of addition. Most of the results referred to superiority of the higher application rates of these two fertilizers, especially in the case of vermicompost (VC100%). The later treatment recorded the highest values in terms of vegetative, root and yield components. The study concluded that cultivation of bean and addition of vermicompost with soil replacement rates ranging from 50% to 100% has a significant impact on the development, growth, and productivity of the common bean plant.

4

Quality Assessment of the Anaerobic Composting of Dehydrated Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plant for Agriculture Application

Sahraoui Afaf, Bakali Raifa, Sahraoui Adil, Ouhssine Mohammed

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

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2024

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Vol. 25, iss. 5

79--84

EN

Recycling biodegradable waste is one of the crucial stages in sustainable waste management. Recycling them for agricultural purposes can have a beneficial impact on environmental protection, with more organic amendment and fewer chemical fertilizers contaminating farmland and groundwater. This will support food production of the right nutritional quality, by increasing yields. The aim of this research was the biotechnological valorization of dewatered sludge as compost for agricultural soil fertilization. Compost was applied using the windrow method. The materials used for composting are dewatered sludge from the wastewater treatment plant, mixed with fillers, such as green and brown waste. The obtained results suggest that the finished products from heaps A, B and C show a significant level of stability. These results reinforce the viability of composting products as soil improvers, highlighting their stability, effective disinfection and compliance with environmental standards. This study showed that the compost from dewatered sludge can be a promising alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural crops, with a view to improving yields.

5

Impact of Innovation Platforms in Promoting the Dissemination of Biotechnological Innovation – Case of Compost in Date Palm in Southeastern Morocco

Hamriri Kaoutar, Atmani Majid, Aziz Larbi, Abidar Ali, Bouamri Rachid, Kane Moustapha Mouhamadou

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2023

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Vol. 24, nr 7

209--224

EN

The sustainability of date palm production in Tafilalet’s palm grovesis threatened by many constraints related to the dryland’s severe environment, climate change, and improper human activities. Biotechnological innovations are new agricultural research discoveries increasingly used to improve agricultural sustainability. For example compost, has proven its benefits in facing date palm production constraints, improving its productivity, and enhancing soil health. Using linear approaches has proven their ineffectiveness to disseminate the advantages of innovations to small producers. As an alternative, Innovation Platforms (IPs) constitute a participatory approach based on a multi-stakeholder alliance for disseminating innovations. This article aimed to study the effects of Ips on the compost adoption and dissemination process as well as evaluate compost impacts on the production of dates. Two types of investigation tools were conducted on members of 47 IPs. Data were analyzed using factorial analysis, content analysis, and communication network analysis. The results show that IPs are a new organizational innovation impacting positively on date palm social systems. They create powerful collective learning through their strong dynamism and interaction. The producers who adopted compost are characterized by a high level of education, take a responsible position in GIE, have a large social network, interact with the research team and other producers, engage and participate in the activities of IPs, search for agricultural news, and have the ability to accept change and develop their skills. Compost can improve the water-holding capacity of soil, increase yield, and reduce expenses by decreasing the need for water, fertilizers, and phytosanitary treatments. Compost is the best alternative to face the environmental and climate change drawbacks on the production of dates.

6

Effects of Humic Acid Extracted from Organic Waste Composts on Turnip Culture (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) in a Sandy Soil

Aylaj Mina, Sisouane Mhammed, Tahiri Soufiane, Mouchrif Yassine, El Krati Mohammed

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2023

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Vol. 24, nr 7

345--359

EN

Adding humic acid to soil can improve soil structure and fertility, which can lead to better plant growth and higher crop yields. Extracting humic acid from compost is a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to obtain a valuable organic material. Humic acid (HA) can be extracted from compost relatively easily and at a low cost, making it an attractive option for farmers. In this study, we investigated the use of sugarcane bagasse (SB) and immature horse manure (IHM) as bulking agents for the composting of separated municipal solid waste (SMSW) and the extraction and characterization of humic acid from the mature composts produced. Fertilizing solutions containing different concentrations of humic acid were prepared and used to evaluate their effects on turnip crop growth and various biochemical parameters during cultivation. The results showed that the humic acid extracted from the composts had high yields and were rich in elemental carbon. The application of humic acid at both low and high concentrations resulted in a significant improvement in all the parameters measured except for the total protein in the roots, which did not differ significantly between the humic acid concentrations. The yield, root diameter and fresh weight increased significantly, and the leaf area was proportional to the humic acid concentration of the solution used. The highest increase in chlorophyll a content was observed in the treatment of humic acid extracted from composts C2 and C3 at a concentration of 0.1 gL-1, with an increase of 31% and 37%, respectively, compared to the control. The use of humic acid provided by co-compost can be considered a successful management strategy for degraded sandy soils and sustainable agriculture production in sandy poor soils worldwide.

7

Short- term Influence of Glyphosate on Microorganisms in Backyard Compost

Kwiatkowska Klaudia

Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports

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2023

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Vol. 33, no. 3

76--88

EN

The composting process is a natural method of waste disposal. Decomposition of organic matter occur with the participation of various groups of microorganisms. Using glyphosate-based herbicides aims to reduce agricultural losses. Biodegradation of glyphosate in soil is obtain with bacteria and fungi and may affect their functioning. The purpose of this study was evaluating the effects of glyphosate on bacterial diversity during composting and to monitor potential changes in community structure and species abundance. The addition of glyphosate did not affect the morphology of the tested groups of bacteria and did not cause changes in the morphological structure of fungi. Sampling after 10 minutes, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours showed that the abundance of bacterial colonies changed over time compared to the control groups. However, the results suggest that the addition of glyphosate is insufficient to influence the composting process, thus disturbing the specific biocenosis.

8

Zawartość fosforu i azotu w kompostach z odpadów pochodzących z różnych źródeł

Grąz Katarzyna, Gronba-Chyła Anna, Kwaśny Justyna

Przemysł Chemiczny

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2022

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T. 101, nr 8

559--562

PL

Materia organiczna gleby odgrywa istotną rolę w chemicznych, mikrobiologicznych i fizycznych aspektach żyzności gleby. Odpady organiczne przekształcone w humifikowany materiał organiczny w procesie kompostowania można wykorzystać jako organiczne dodatki zwiększające zawartość materii organicznej i poprawiające żyzność gleby. Jakość kompostu różni się w zależności od rodzaju kompostowanych odpadów i technologii procesu kompostowania i jest bardzo istotna, zwłaszcza jeśli chodzi o optymalną zawartość pierwiastków, takich jak fosfor i azot. Przedstawiono wyniki badań zawartości P i N dla czterech różnych rodzajów kompostów.

EN

Four types of compost (household composts, rural compost processed by poultry and 2 composts from the mech.-biolog. treatment plant of municipal waste) were studied for P and N content. The lowest av. P and N content was recorded in rural compost, 1.6 and 1.5% by mass, resp., and the highest in household compost, 3.2 and 2.7% by mass, resp.

9

Α Dynamics of Macro Elements Content in Eutric Podzoluvisols for Separation of Wastewater under Jerusalem Artichokes

Lopushniak Vasyl, Hrytsuliak Halyna, Gamayunova Valentina, Kozan Natalia, Zakharchenko Elina, Voloshin Yurii, Lopushniak Halyna, Polutrenko Miroslava, Kotsyubynska Yulia

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2022

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Vol. 23, nr 4

33--42

EN

The application of fertilizers based on sewage sludge significantly affects the formation of the nitrogen fund of sod-podzolic soil, as well as changes in the content of mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium exchange. The application of such fertilizer under Jerusalem artichoke has a positive effect on the nitrogen content of alkaline hydrolyzed compounds, in particular on increasing the content of mineral and alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen fractions. The application of sewage sludge at a dose of 20–40 t/ha and the appropriate compensatory dose of mineral fertilizers at the rate of N90P90K90 helps to increase the content of ammonium nitrogen compounds from 16 to 20–22 mg/kg of soil in the upper (0–20 cm) layer – 28% prevails over the control variant, as well as the content of nitrate nitrogen compounds in the layer 0–40 cm from 1.70 to 2.52–2.64 mg/kg of soil. The ratio of the content of alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen compounds to the nitrogen content of mineral compounds in the experimental conditions changes insignificantly, which indirectly indicates a relatively stable value of this indicator, which changes little under the influence of fertilizers. The application of sewage sludge as a fertilizer significantly affects the change in the content of mobile phosphorus compounds and potassium exchange compounds in the upper (0–40 cm) layer of the soil. However, from a depth of 60 cm, their content decreases sharply and approaches the initial values of the control version. Depending on the application of fertilizers, the indicators of the coefficient of concentration of macronutrients in the soil change significantly, which reflects the ratio of the content of the element in the soil to its content in the control variant. As the rate of sewage sludge increases, the element concentration coefficient increases from 1.27 in the variant with the application of only mineral fertilizers to 2.36 for potassium and for phosphorus – from 1.02 to 1.31. There is a close correlation between the content of phosphorus and potassium in the soil and the coefficients of their concentration. This relationship reflects the multiple coefficient of determination, which for phosphorus and potassium is R2 = 0.69 and R2 = 0.90, respectively. The use of fertilizers in the form of compost with sewage sludge and straw of cereals causes similar trends as the introduction of uncomposted sewage sludge. However, this effect has less radical impact with lower absolute nutrient content compared to the introduction of fresh sewage sludge. The application of sewage sludge in the form of compost and uncomposted form contributes to a significant increase in the content of macronutrients in the soil, providing an improvement in the mineral nutrition of cultivated plants, including Jerusalem artichokes.

10

Using of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Compost and Mycorrhizae Arbuscular for Improving the Fertility of Nickel Post-Mining Soil

Neswati Risma, Putra Boby Dirgantara Hanafie, Jayadi Muhammad, Ardiansyah Andri

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2022

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Vol. 23, nr 2

86--96

EN

The nickel post-mining soil with an open-pit mining system has poor soil chemical and physical properties. Thus, it requires appropriate site-specific management so that it can be optimized as a plant cultivation area. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of compost from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) and mycorrhizal vesicular-arbuscular (MVA) in improving soil fertility of nickel post-mining soil. This study was conducted using a randomized block trial design with 2 factors. The first factor is compost with 3 treatments, consisting of 5 t•ha-1 (K1), 7.5 t•ha-1 (K2), 10 t•ha-1 (K3) and the second factor was mycorrhiza (M) in the fine-crushed brick carrier media with as many as 3 treatments consisting of 2 t•ha-1 (M1), 4 t•ha-1 (M2), 6 t•ha-1 (M3). A total of 9 treatment combinations were repeated 3 times, arranged in experimental pots at the Experimental Farm of Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The results showed that the compost and MVA treatments had a significant effect on increasing the average values of cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, available P2O5, calcium and magnesium exchangeable,as well as decreasing exchangeable aluminum and iron. The highest soil properties values were found in the combination of compost 10 t•ha-1 (K3) and MVA 6 t•ha-1 (M3). The application of compost from OPEFB combined with MVA significantly improved soil fertility, which was indicated by improving soil chemical and biological properties. The application of MVA at various doses had a significant effect on the dry weight, root length of Calopogonium mucunoides and increase the number of MVA spores in the soil.

11

Urban Leaf Litters as a Potential Compost Component

Parzych Agnieszka

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2022

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Vol. 23, nr 4

250--260

EN

Trees shed leaf litters throughout the year with varying intensity. In urban areas, due to the regular pruning of tree branches, the leaves which are used as a compost component have dominant share in the litterfall. The amount of nutrients released during composting depends on the abundance of the shed leaves. The research aimed to analyse and determine which of the deciduous tree species provide the highest amount of macronutrients and whether or not the heavy metals contained in them exceed the toxic level. It was found that the leaves of Alnus glutinosa (C/N = 20.57), Tilia cordata (33.31) and Fraxinus excelsior (33.88), which are the source of the highest amounts of nitrogen among the examined deciduous tree species, decompose at the fastest pace in the composting process. The process of decomposition of Quercus rubra (C/N = 64.30), Aesculus hippocastanum (58.16) and Fagus sylvatica (58.06) leaves, which are poorer in nitrogen compounds, takes much longer and is more difficult. It has also been shown that the heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb) contained in leaf litters do not pose any threat to the environment, as they do not exceed the permissible level of contamination.

12

Evaluation of the Commercial Bio-Activator and a Traditional Bio-Activator on Compost Using Takakura Method

Wikurendra Edza Aria, Nurika Globila, Herdiani Novera, Lukiyono Yauwan Tobing

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2022

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Vol. 23, nr 6

278--285

EN

Developing countries have a serious problem of limited land for handling organic waste. New, simple, and economical methods that can be applied maximally by people in developing countries are needed. This study aimed to evaluate commercial bio-activator (EM4) and traditional bio-activator in compost using the takakura method. Seven treatments were carried out to determine the most effective mixture to be applied to composting using the takakura method. The graph of fluctuations in temperature, humidity and pH in the composting process with seven different treatments shows that the activity of decomposing microorganisms is going well. A mixture of 2 kg organic waste and 500 ml EM4 has the values of potassium oxide (K2O), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), and nitrogen which meet the compost content requirements based on the Indonesian National Standard (SNI-19-7030-2004).

13

Effect of Application of Soil Amendments on the PAHs Level in the Fire-Affected Forest Soil

Martínez Barroso Petra, Winkler Jan, Oulehla Jan, Vaverková Magdalena Daria

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2022

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Vol. 23, nr 3

26--38

EN

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are introduced to the environment from anthropogenic and natural sources. The most significant natural source of PAH are wildfires and volcanic eruptions. The PAHs occurring in the soil mostly bind to the root system of plants. Phytodegradation, specifically rhizospheric degradation, can reduce the PAH levels in soil with the help of plants roots. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of application of soil amendments on the PAHs level in the burnt soil (BS). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of application of soil amendments (compost, biochar, and bentonite) on the PAHs level after performing experiment with two grass species (Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra). Biochar and compost turned out to be the most effective amendments, regardless of the used grass species. Phytomanaged BS without added amendments also demonstrated the potential for PAH dissipation, but only in the case of Festuca rubra. It has been proven that the application of soil amendments together with the test grass species induced important changes in the BS properties (alteration of soil pH with related change of Kow of individual PAHs; root system on which soil microorganisms thrive) which evoked an increased bioavailability of PAHs.

14

Composting of stabilized municipal sewage sludge with residues from agri-food processing in Poland

Krasowska Małgorzata, Kowczyk-Sadowy Małgorzata, Obidziński Sławomir

Ekonomia i Środowisko

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2022

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nr 4

103--116

EN

Stabilized municipal sewage sludge and selected waste from agri-food processing can be used for agricultural purposes, which is part of the circular economy. Therefore, chosen residues were tested for the possibility of using them for fertilisation purposes. They were then subjected to the process of composting in a bioreactor with artificial aeration. The compost mixtures were prepared to take into account their contents of, among others, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water; in the case of sewage sludge, the contents of biological contaminants and heavy metals were also determined. Based on the conducted studies, it has been found that organic waste from agri-food processing and stabilised municipal sewage sludge can be used in the composting process. At the same time, the obtained compost is characterised by good fertilising properties. Considering the physicochemical properties of the obtained compost, it was found that it can be a precious fertiliser used as a soil additive.

PL

Ustabilizowane komunalne osady ściekowe oraz wybrane odpady z przetwórstwa rolno-spożywczego mogą być wykorzystywane w celach rolniczych, co wpisuje się w zagadnienia gospodarki o obiegu zamkniętym. W związku z tym wybrane pozostałości zbadano pod kątem możliwości wykorzystania ich na cele nawozowe. Następnie poddano je procesowi kompostowania w bioreaktorze, ze sztucznym napowietrzaniem. Mieszanki kompostowe sporządzono biorąc pod uwagę zawartość w nich między innymi węgla, azotu, fosforu oraz wody, a w przypadku osadu ściekowego określono także zanieczyszczenia biologiczne i zawartość metali ciężkich. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że odpady organiczne z przetwórstwa rolno-spożywczego oraz ustabilizowane komunalne osady ściekowe mogą być wykorzystane w procesie kompostowania, a otrzymany kompost charakteryzował się dobrymi właściwościami nawozowymi. Biorąc pod uwagę właściwości fizykochemiczne otrzymanego kompostu stwierdzono, że może on stanowić bardzo cenny nawóz wykorzystywany jako dodatek do gleby.

15

Productivity Model of Herbal Bioenergy Cultures Depending on Biometric Indicators of Overhead Mass

Lopushniak Vasyl, Тоnkha Оxana, Hrytsuliak Halyna, Lopushniak Halyna, Polutrenko Miroslava, Poberezhna Lyuba, Gamayunova Valentina, Pikovska Olena, Jakubowski Tomasz, Kotsyubynska Yulia

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

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2022

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Vol. 23, iss. 2

162--172

EN

The research was carried out on the territory of c. Tsenzhiv of Yamnytsya territorial community of Ivano-Frankivsk region on sod-podzolic degraded soils according to the generally accepted research methods. The productivity of miscanthus and switchgrass depends on the biometric indicators of plants, namely the height of plants and the number of stems. Correct models of miscanthus and switchgrass productivity are calculated depending on the dose of sewage sludge. For miscanthus, the correlation coefficient r = 0.952 and for switchgrass r = 0.951, which indicates a high linear relationship between plant height, number of stems and productivity. The dry matter yield in grass energy crops varies according to fertilizer application. The productivity of the agrophytocenosis of miscanthus is much higher than that of switchgrass. With the addition of sewage sludge at a dose of 40 t/ha, the dry matter yield under the same growing conditions in the agrophytocenosis of miscanthus is 12.2 t/ha, or 3.3 t/ha higher than the productivity of agrophytocenosis switchgrass. The use of composts based on SS + straw (3: 1)) – 30 t/ha + N30K55, has a significant impact on yield, providing the highest productivity of miscanthus – 13.0 t/ha, and switchgrass – 9.6 t/ha. In order to obtain stable biomass productivity of grass energy crops (miscanthus and switchgrass), it is advisable to use compost of sewage sludge and straw in a ratio of 3: 1 at a dose of 30 t/ha. Thus, two important problems are partially solved, namely increasing the productivity of energy crops and utilizing municipal waste (sewage sludge).

16

Study on the rate of O2 consumption and purification of tail biogas with a biofilter in the composting process

Zhen Xiaofei, Luo Miao, Li Zhenggui, Zhang Yongheng, Wang Weiwei, Kang Jian

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. S

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2022

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Vol. 29, nr 1

87--97

EN

For aerobic static composting, fresh cow, pig, and chicken manures were used as feedstock and mixed with 10 % corn straws, which was considered as the bulking agent. In the composting process of different livestock and poultry manures, the changing trends of temperature, pH, conductivity, density, and other parameters were intensively studied. The results were as follows: (1) after the tail biogases of composting systems – using cattle manure, pig manure, and chicken manure - were introduced into the biofilter, the concentration of O2 decreased slightly, but the concentration of CO2 increased. The odour in these tail biogases declined significantly, and thus the biodegradation of tail biogas was obvious. (2) The oxygen consumption in the different periods of the composting process of these three manures was almost the same, and the average oxygen consumption for the three manures was 0.928, 0.937, and 0.945 m3/kg, respectively. Under standard conditions, the density of oxygen is 1.429 g/L, and the average oxygen consumption in the composting processes of these three manures was 1.326, 1.338, and 1.350 kg/kg, respectively.

17

Positive Effect of Biochar Derived from Argan Waste on Soil Nutrients and Growth of Three Plants

Bouqbis Laila, Daoud Salma, Harrouni Moulay Cherif

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2021

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Vol. 22, nr 7

28--34

EN

The lack of organic matter content in deteriorated soils in drought stricken areas is a serious problem for vegetation cover. The use of organic amendments like biochar and compost to agricultural soils could be a good remedy for poor soil, water deficiency and plants growth. The comparative analysis of the effects of biochar produced from argan shells, compost and their mixture on the growth of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was the main objective of this research. It was assumed that the addition of biochar mixed with compost could enhance soil fertility and then improve crop productivity of plants. For this purpose, three treatments (2%, 4% and 6%) of biochar (B), compost (C) and biochar–compost (B–C) mixture were applied to soil. The samples for different treatments were collected, incubated and then analyzed. In order to evaluate the plant growth, the greenhouse experiments were conducted for three months in the pots filled with untreated and treated soils. The results showed that the addition of biochar and compost to soil increased pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable cations, total nitrogen, phosphorus, total organic matter and cation exchange capacity. A significant improvement of the biomass of plants has been observed when applying a mixture of biochar and compost at 6% for quinoa and sugar beet and at 4% for alfalfa. According to the obtained results, mixing argan biochar with compost has a positive impact on soil nutrients and growth of plants.

18

Decomposition of Single-use Products Made of Bioplastic under Real Conditions of Urban Composting Facility

Báreková Anna, Demovičová Martina, Tátošová Lucia, Danišová Lucia, Medlenová Elena, Hlaváčiková Slávka

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2021

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Vol. 22, nr 4

265--272

EN

According to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019, single-use plastic cutlery, cotton buds, straws and stirrers will be banned in the member states of EU from summer 2021 onwards. Many of them are being replaced by compostable products. The aim of the research was to assess the biological disintegration of selected single-use products under real conditions of urban composting facility. All tested products are established for the Slovak market as 100% compostable by a composting facility. The eight selected products from five different producers were placed into a composting pile of the urban composting facility for 12 weeks. The samples were visually inspected on a regular basis. Temperature and humidity of the pile were continuously measured at the same time. Three samples from each kind of tested product were analyzed, 3 pieces of filter paper were used as the reference samples. The research showed that all tested products were completely or partially disintegrated during the considered period. The average degree of the disintegration of 90% was not reached for one producer only.

19

Ammonium Adsorption Onto a Contaminated Soil-Water Environment Amended with Organic Matter

Al-Saedi Rasha, Hammood Zaman Ageel, Chyad Tasnim Fahim

Journal of Ecological Engineering

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2021

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Vol. 22, nr 1

188--194

EN

In this research, the ability of calcareous soil to absorb ammonium was investigated and the effect of compost amendment as a natural organic source on ammonium adsorption was also studied. The pH, dissolved ammonium concentrations, ammonium adsorption capacity, and cation exchangeable capacity for the soil samples were analyzed in relation to an untreated control and treatment with compost under ambient temperature and different initial ammonium concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 70, and 100 mg/L). The amounts of ammonium adsorbed increased along with initial concentrations of dissolved ammonium for control and treatment with compost. The models evaluated in this study included the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Ammonium adsorption was found to conform to the Freundlich equation isotherm more than that with Langmuir. The highest adsorption capacity was exhibited by 100 mg/L added initial ammonium concentration. Adding compost as a source of organic matter enhanced the adsorption capacity of calcareous soil with an increase in the adsorption of 36%, which indicated that the organic matter is a key limiting parameter in the mechanism of ammonium adsorption. Ammonium adsorption by calcareous soils is an important process in identifying the ammonium nitrogen route in soil-water systems.

20

Compost produced with addition of sewage sludge as a source of Fe and Mn for plant

Gondek Krzysztof, Mierzwa-Hersztek Monika, Kopeć Michał, Spałek Iwona

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. S

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2021

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Vol. 28, nr 2

259--275

EN

Direct application of sewage sludge to soil is controversial due to, among others, its highly variable composition, odour, and risks for health. The obtained composts with the addition of sewage sludge were tested for the contents and availability of manganese and iron. Once composts were applied to the soil, their effect on the content and availability of Mn and Fe in soil and bioaccumulation in the plant were determined. The addition of sewage sludge enriched composts with manganese and iron, but did not increase the content of water-extracted forms of Mn and Fe. The compost with addition of biochar had more organic matter-bound forms of Mn and Fe. Composts amended with sewage sludge had lower effect on the amount of Poa pratensis L. biomass than maize straw compost. The content of Mn and Fe in Poa pratensis L. was in the range permissible for biomass used as fodder. Smaller addition of all composts to the soil significantly increased the content of mobile manganese forms; however, neither the type nor the dose had effect on the content of iron mobile forms. There was no significant differences in the content of organic matter-bound forms of Mn and Fe in soil after the application of composts.