Fatih Büyüksönmez

Reclamation of Saline-Sodic Soils with Gypsum and MSW Compost

The effectiveness of sequential application of gypsum followed by matured mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) compost was investigated for the reclamation of saline-sodic soils. Soil plots were treated with 50 dt/ha (dry tone/hectare) of gypsum, followed by the addition of matured MSW compost at the 50, 100, and 150 dt/ha with five replications for each treatment. A number of physical, chemical and biological properties were investigated. The results from different treatments were compared with the Tukey-Kramer method. The results of this study show that the sequential application of gypsum followed by matured MSW compost can effectively restore degraded soils suffering from high soluble salts and exchangeable sodium content.

Occurrence, Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some...

Literature Review: Occurrence, Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting: Part II: Occurrence and Fate of Pesticides in Compost and Composting Systems

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some exceptions, pesticides in other categories decomposed moderately well to very well. Studies that followed the mechanisms of degradation indicate that mineralization accounts for only a small portion of pesticide disappearance. Other prominent fates include partial degradation to secondary compounds, adsorption, humification, and volatilization. In general the research results suggest that the pattern of pesticide degradation during composting is similar to the degradatiion observed in soils. With a few important distinctions, composting can be considered a biologically active soil environment in which degradation is accelerated. However, as some studies noted, composting does not always speed the degradation of all pesticides. The nature of the pesticide, specific composting conditions and procedures, the microbial communities present, and the duration of composting affect the extent and the mechanisms of degradation.

Biogenic Emissions from Green Waste and Comparison to the Emissions Resulting from Composting Part II: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

The cumulative emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resulting from natural decay of selected green waste, i.e. grass clippings, woodchips and prunings, and from composting of the same feedstock were studied. The results indicated that terpenes were the only compounds emitted from the feedstock as they underwent natural breakdown as well as during their composting. Even though there was a wide array of compounds emitted, the results suggested that the following six terpenes i.e., α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene, camphene, β-myrcene, and D-limonene, were the most significant compounds encompassing 32.7 to 95.3% of the total emissions. The cumulative VOC emissions varied considerably from a batch to another ranging 11.0 to 347.4 mg/kg-dw expressed as α-pinene. The composting of the same materials in different blends resulted in cumulative emissions ranging from 18.1 to 106.6 mg/kg-dw as α-pinene, representing 60 to 92% reduction compared to the biogenic emissions resulting from natural decay.

Full-Scale VOC Emissions from Green And Food Waste Windrow Composting

In this study, we studied the field-scale non-methane non-ethane organic carbon (NMNEOC) emissions resulting from source separated green and food waste composting. The study was conducted at the Modesto Composting Facility operated by the City of Modesto. Samples were collected with USEPA isolation flux chambers for 59 days and analyzed according to the AQMD Method 25.3. Emission factors were determined to be 1.4 g/kg-dw and 2.2 g/kg-dw for green and food waste composting, respectively. Furthermore, so called “chimney effect” on emissions was demonstrated. The emissions were determined to be up to 15.9 times higher on the ridge top compared to the sides of the windrows.

Adsorption of Phosphate by Goethite and Zeolite: Effects of Humic Substances from Green Waste Compost

Compost is widely used as a natural soil conditioner and fertilizer supplement in gardening, planting and agriculture. Ability of compost to retain and release nutrients over time offers potential use for control of excessive nutrient release to the environment; this ability may be further improved by the addition of adsorbents to facilitate rapid retention of nutrients. Therefore, we investigated the effects of humic substances extracted from green waste compost on the adsorption of phosphate by goethite (a-FeOOH) and zeolite (SiO2.Al2O3). Humic acid (4.66% by dry-weight) and fulvic acid (1.26% as carbon/w) were extracted from finished compost and purified. The adsorption capacity of goethite (1.18 mmol/g) was slightly higher than zeolites capacity (1.03 mmol/g). On the other hand, capacity of humic acid was determined much lower (0.51 mmol/g). The addition of fulvic acid resulted in a substantial reduction of adsorption capacities of all three adsorbents. Addition of 5.0 mmol/L of fulvic acid (as carbon) decreased the adsorption capacity of phosphate by goethite, zeolite and humic acid by 94%, 88% and 82%, respectively. Results of kinetics study indicated that the adsorption data fit the first-order kinetic model well with goethite exhibiting higher kinetic constants. The results of this study suggest that metal oxide adsorbents such as goethite could be applied as additives into compost to improve the nutrient holding ability.

Removal of beta-pinene and limonene using compost biofilter

Composting is widely used for the treatment of solid organic wastes; however, emissions from composting are becoming a threat to humans due to the release of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs from composting operations are characterized by high flow rates and, normally, low pollutant concentration. Typical VOCs include a large amount of terpenes (∼65% of total VOCs). This study was to investigate the efficiency of biofiltration in controlling terpene emissions from composting operations using a laboratory-scale unit. The performance of a biofilter was investigated as a function of inlet flow rate, inlet concentration, and bed length/bed diameter (L/D) ratio of bed. At the lowest total inlet flow rate, removal efficiency of limonene and β-pinene was more than 90%. With the decrease in inlet concentration and increase in L/D ratio, the removal efficiency was effectively increased. Removal efficiency of more than 85% for Limonene and 45% for β-Pinene was attained at a loading rate of 55 g/m3-hr. The maximum elimination capacity was found for 109.7 g/m3-hr for limonene and 10.3 g/m3-hr for β-pinene at a critical loading of 150.1 g/m3-hr. Based on this study, the compost bed could function as a biofilter for controlling terpene odors during the composting process. Implications: The purpose of this research project is to investigate the efficiency of biofiltration in controlling limonene and β-pinene emissions from composting operations using a laboratory scale. In addition, the performance of a biofilter as a function of inlet flow rate, inlet concentration, and L/D ratio of bed was evaluated. Establishing a nexus between the operational parameters and efficiency would be useful in design and operation of compost bed as a biofilter for controlling terpene odors during the composting process.

Mitigation of odor causing emissions-Bench-scale investigation.

Emissions of malodors are considered to be the greatest threat to the compost industry. In work presented here, several simple odor mitigation alternatives were investigated for their effectiveness in preventing the release of common odorants, such as terpenes, ammonia, and reduced sulfur compounds. The mitigation methods studied included the use of a blanket of finished compost, compost amendment mixed within the feedstock, odor neutralizing agents (ONAs), and oxygen release compounds (ORCs). Among the mitigation alternatives investigated in this study, the use of finished compost as a blanket and finished compost as an amendment yielded the most conclusive and significant results. Both of these alternatives yielded a substantial emission reduction for terpenes, ammonia, and reduced sulfur compounds. The application of finished compost blanket resulted in up to 95% reduction of terpene and 25% reduction of ammonia emissions. Blending the feedstock with finished compost also provided substantial reduction of terpene emissions ranging from 73.6 to 93.1% at the 24% blending ratio, and up to 85% ammonia reduction a the 35% blending ratio. Use of finished compost also provided 75% lower reduced sulfur compound emissions at the 12% blending ratio. Misting and application of odor neutralizing agents did not result in any consistent reduction in emissions for any of the odorous compounds tested. Implications The odor emissions from composting are often considered to be the biggest threat to composting facilities. Because most facilities cannot afford enclosures and contained composting vessels, there is a need to inexpensively and effectively control the odor emissions from composting facilities. The findings of this research can lead the way for efforts to control odor easily and cost effectively. In fact, the application of a compost blanket for odor control is already gaining acceptance by the composting industry.

Evaluation of best management practice products in preventing discharge of metals: a laboratory evaluation.

Heavy metal accumulation in soil poses serious environmental and health risks, as metals are carried with eroded soils. In this study, 17 different soil erosion and sediment control products were investigated for their effectiveness in controlling transport of particulate heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd). Among the treatments investigated, wood mulch and tackifiers were found to be the most effective in reducing total suspended solids (TSS) and total heavy metal losses. They reduced TSS to an undetectable level during short-term simulation tests. Paper mulch was the only treatment that had no significant reduction in both total metal loss and TSS. Fiber rolls, silt fences, and gravel bags were effective in reducing sediment loss. Although the netting/blanket treatments were not effective in reducing total metal discharge, they significantly reduced sediment loss compared with the control.

Development of a Model to Predict Runoff Water Headloss Through Compost Filter Berms

As a part of a larger study designed to develop compost filter berms i.e., an unsupported mound of compost that intercepts surface runoff from a site, suitable for removing nutrients and sediment from agricultural operations, we evaluated the hydraulic behavior of compost buffers with different masses and particle size distributions subjected to varying water flow rates using flume experiments. For each berm combination, the maximum flow rate the compost berm could sustain before a structural failure occurs was determined for different compost particle sizes. These data were used to develop models to predict headloss through a compost berm as a function of the flow rate per unit width, the median particle size of the compost media, and the buffer dimensions. The developed models perform well with R2 values ranging from 0.64 to 0.97 with the majority of values greater than 0.9. The effect of presence of sediments in the flow was also quantified. The results show that headloss increased by 1–2 cm as a result of sediment removal, ranging from 5 to 35%, taking up pore space in the compost berm.