Maturity indices in co-composting of chicken manure and sawdust with biochar

Naser Khan, Ian Clark, Miguel A. Sánchez-Monedero, Syd Shea, Sebastian Meier, Nanthi Bolan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

200 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Several maturity indices were evaluated for in-vessel co-composting of chicken manure and pine sawdust with three different biochars. All the seven mixtures (piles) contained chicken manure and sawdust. Six of these piles contained biochar; each biochar was added at two rates, 5% and 10% wet weight. The maturity of composts was assessed by C/N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), seed germination, NO3--N/NH4+-N, and the Solvita test. The C/N values of finished composts were from 31.5 to 35.7, which were much higher than the optimum value of 21 for matured compost. Nevertheless, the rest of the parameters indicated that the composts were matured. The C/N values were high because of the high amount of recalcitrant carbon present in the feedstocks: biochar and sawdust. Biochar treated piles showed higher respiration as well as decomposition of DOC indicating higher microbial activity. Use of biochar in composting may reduce NH3 emission and nitrate leaching.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)245-251
Number of pages7
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume168
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2014
Externally publishedYes

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