Composting of raw faecal sludge (FS) poses many difficulties due to its high moisture content (MC), high wet bulk density and low carbon to nitrogen ratio. The aim of this study were to (1) examine the suitability of bulking materials (BMs) and (2) investigate the effect of bulking material and mixing ratio on concentration of nutrients during composting of raw FS compost. Raw FS and BMs (wood chips and maize cobs) were sampled from three peri-urban communities. The raw FS showed an initial high MC (73%) which was greater than that required to start a compost process (55–65%). The results showed that the total carbon and nitrogen contents of all the experiments decreased at the end of the composting process. Composted materials at the end of the experiment showed lower concentrations of available phosphorus and potassium in all the experiments than the initial substrate materials. Experimental trial, Maize cob (1:2) is the most preferred due to the fact that it contained more nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and also carbon which are essential nutrients for plant growth and for improving on the soil organic matter content.
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Research Article|
March 01 2016
Effect of bulking materials and mixing ratios on concentration of nutrients during composting of raw faecal sludge from peri-urban areas Available to Purchase
Eugene Appiah-Effah;
Eugene Appiah-Effah
*
aDepartment of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
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Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko;
Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko
aDepartment of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Eric Ofosu Antwi;
Eric Ofosu Antwi
bDepartment of Environmental Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resource, Sunyani, Ghana
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Esi Awuah
Esi Awuah
cOffice of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Energy and Natural Resource, Sunyani, Ghana
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Water Practice and Technology (2016) 11 (1): 234–242.
Citation
Eugene Appiah-Effah, Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Eric Ofosu Antwi, Esi Awuah; Effect of bulking materials and mixing ratios on concentration of nutrients during composting of raw faecal sludge from peri-urban areas. Water Practice and Technology 1 March 2016; 11 (1): 234–242. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2016.028
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