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Properties and evolution of dissolved organic matter during co-composting of dairy manure and Chinese herbal residues

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Abstract

Composting is an effective method in treating solid organic wastes, in which dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in transformation of organic matter and microbial activity. Therefore, an understanding of the properties and evolution of DOM during composting is crucial. In this study, DOM was studied using elemental analysis, spectroscopic analysis (UV-vis, FTIR, and pyrolysis-GC/MS), and colloidal analysis during a 120-day composting. Results showed that the content of N and O in DOM increased while C and H content declined progressively over the composting time. Aliphatic C–H stretching, aromatic C=C or C=O stretching of amide groups, and C–O stretch (carbohydrates) showed an obvious decrease, while COO– and C–N groups had a significant increase. The evolution of DOM indicated a gradual decrease of the lipid and polysaccharide fractions, whereas an increase of aromatic and nitrogenous compounds was observed. The DOM also showed a more stable status, and an accumulation of small molecular compounds occurred with composting proceeded. Taken together, these results shed a good insight into the properties and evolution of DOM during a composting process.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financed by the Fangchenggang Science and Technology Program (14043001). The authors wish to acknowledge the scientific input of other members in our laboratory. The anonymous reviewers were also acknowledged for their valuable comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China

    Qunliang Li, Yanyu Lu, Xiaobo Guo, Guangchun Shan & Junhao Huang

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  1. Qunliang Li
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  2. Yanyu Lu
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  3. Xiaobo Guo
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  4. Guangchun Shan
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  5. Junhao Huang
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Correspondence to Qunliang Li.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Li, Q., Lu, Y., Guo, X. et al. Properties and evolution of dissolved organic matter during co-composting of dairy manure and Chinese herbal residues. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 8629–8636 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8540-5

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