Title: Effect on maturity and nutritional parameters during vermicomposting of Municipal Solid Waste

Authors: Bharat Lodha

Addresses: Shri G.S. Institute of Technology and Science, Indore (MP), India

Abstract: Municipal solid wastes are the residue facing restrictive legislation with respect to landfill disposal of the biodegradable fraction. One of the frequent problem is that the compost maturity of these residues are not achieved due to the high C : N ratio. The present research work shows the effect on compost maturity and nutritional parameters of compost, during vermicomposting. The various parameters studied during composting are the C : N ratio, Total Potassium, Phosphorus, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Electrical Conductivity and pH of the soil. The research concluded that a better quality of compost from MSW could be generated using the vermicomposting technique.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; MSW; carbon to nitrogen ratio; compost maturity; vermicomposting; total Kjeldahl nitrogen; total potassium; phosphorus; electrical conductivity; earthworms; solid waste compost; composting.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2007.015157

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.454 - 463

Published online: 18 Sep 2007 *

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