Composting facilities are habitats where biological materials are bio-oxidized. Biological waste represents a source of plant species diaspores and may promote changes in the species composition of the surrounding. The studied composting facility is situated in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, Czech Republic. Four sites, the composting pile and three habitats nearby were chosen of different use and disturbance conditions. Phytosociological plots were recorded in each of the habitat and the results were processed using multivariate analyses of ecological data. The information about plant species indication values was also analysed: (i) the relationship between soil disturbance and plant species occurrence, (ii) seed dormancy, (iii) seed bank, and (iv) vector of seed dispersion. During the research, 119 plant taxa were found in total. Conditions of the composting process (frequent disturbances, excessive available nutrients, enough water, and supply of new diaspores) represent a challenge for plant species. The presence of plant diaspores in the biowaste is a reason why the fundamental principle of appropriate composting process has to be adhered to. Another important task is to give attention to the methods determining the share of living diaspores in the final compost, which is still missing in practice. Compost might become a vehicle for spreading weeds. The capacity of vegetation to survive and multiply on the premises of composting facilities increases the importance of vegetation monitoring and control of the adjacent areas. The usual occurrence of rural brownfields near composting facilities increases the risk of diaspores being transmitted into biowaste or compost, thus increasing the share of undesirable viable diaspores. Composting facilities generate specific synanthropic conditions for the vegetation. Therefore, the composting facility projects should take into consideration the surrounding areas and vegetation management. It is recommended that the project should include semi-natural vegetation, which can create efficient barriers to the spreading of undesirable ruderal plant species. The novelty of this study is the confirmation that composting facilities and compost become a new factor affecting vegetation, which has been disregarded so far. The link between composting facilities and vegetation has to be included in the legislation related to parameters of compost quality. Moreover, the issue of weeds, their reproductive organs and their spread should be considered in the guidelines for the design, location, construction, and operation of composting facilities.

• Klíčová slova
• Human-made habitats, Organic waste management, Synanthropic conditions, Vegetation,
• MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• půda MeSH

The article evaluates the effect of small selected doses of biochar addition (0%, 1.5%, 3% and 5%, wet weight) on the composting process of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) with a low initial C/N ratio under real conditions. The low C/N composting mixtures with addition of biochar at low rates can have a positive effect on the compost quality and on the reduction of N losses in compost. The novelty of this work consists in studying the impact of small biochar doses on the composting process at full-scale. The research was conducted under real conditions in the Brno Central Composting Plant (Czech Republic) receiving food waste, grass, straw, sawdust, mineral waste, paper, wood and sewage sludge for processing. The experimental processing time was 12 weeks. We evaluated changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM), respiration activity (AT4), as well as changes in the microbiocenotic composition of microorganisms colonizing the processed waste. OFMSW with the addition of biochar and compost were assessed for the content of heavy metals (HM). It was found out that biochar reduced the compost toxicity. The resulting compost with the addition of biochar exhibited higher moisture content and lower waste density. Biochar had an impact on N retention during composting but it did not change the course or accelerate the composting process. The highest OM loss (62.6%) was observed in the OFMSW with no biochar addition. The abundance of potentially pathogenic microorganisms clearly decreased during the OFMSW composting process with the addition of biochar.

• Klíčová slova
• Biochar, Composting, Microorganisms, Organic waste, Phytotoxicity tests,
• MeSH
• dřevěné a živočišné uhlí MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biochar MeSH Prohlížeč
• dřevěné a živočišné uhlí MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• půda MeSH

Home composting can be an effective way to reduce the volume of municipal solid waste. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Effective Microorganism™ (EM) for the home scale co-composting of food waste, rice bran and dried leaves. A general consensus is lacking regarding the efficiency of inoculation composting. Home scale composting was carried out with and without EM (control) to identify the roles of EM. The composting parameters for both trials showed a similar trend of changes during the decomposition. As assayed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the functional group of humic acid was initially dominated by aliphatic structure but was dominated by the aromatic in the final compost. The EM compost has a sharper peak of aromatic CC bond presenting a better degree of humification. Compost with EM achieved a slightly higher temperature at the early stage, with foul odour suppressed, enhanced humification process and a greater fat reduction (73%). No significant difference was found for the final composts inoculated with and without EM. The properties included pH (∼7), electric conductivity (∼2), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C: N < 14), colour (dark brown), odour (earthy smell), germination index (>100%), humic acid content (4.5-4.8%) and pathogen content (no Salmonella, <1000 Most Probable Number/g E. coli). All samples were well matured within 2 months. The potassium and phosphate contents in both cases were similar however the EM compost has a higher nitrogen content (+1.5%). The overall results suggested the positive effect provided by EM notably in odour control and humification.

• Klíčová slova
• Effective microorganisms, Food and organic waste composting, Home scale, Humic acid, Nutrient content,
• MeSH
• Escherichia coli * MeSH
• huminové látky * MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• tuhý odpad MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• huminové látky * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• tuhý odpad MeSH

Waste prevention and management become a significant issue worldwide to achieve sustainable development. Similar to many developing countries, Malaysia has faced severe problems in waste management due to its rapid economic growth and urbanisation. The municipal solid waste (MSW) production rate in Malaysia had increased significantly in a recent year, ranging from 0.8 to 1.25 kg/person∙d. The wastes generated contain a high amount of organic portion with high moisture content. Improper MSW management practice or delayed in waste collection and transportation can lead to severe health issues. This paper presents a case study in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (FOLO Farm), in which a composting prototype is used as the waste management technology to recycle the food and vegetable wastes. The greenhouse gases (GHG) mitigation and economic feasibility of the integrated composting and organic farming in this study are reported. This study showed a reduction of 27% of GHG by diverting the food and vegetable wastes from open dumping to the composting plant. Higher reduction rate (∼44%) can be achieved with better planning of waste collection route and applying the mitigation strategies during the composting process. By adapting the membership concept, this project not only ensures the economic feasibility of running a composting plant but also secures a channel for the growth of vegetable distribution. This study provides an insight into the feasibility and desirability to implement a pilot-scale composting for organic waste management to achieve the low carbon and self-sustain community.

• Klíčová slova
• Composting, Cost and benefit analysis, Food and vegetable waste, GHG mitigation,
• MeSH
• biozemědělství MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• nakládání s odpady * MeSH
• odpadky - odstraňování * MeSH
• studie proveditelnosti MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Malajsie MeSH

Sewage sludge is a valuable source of elements such as phosphorus and nitrogen. At the same time, heavy metals, emerging organic compounds, micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, PCPs, microplastics), or some potentially dangerous bacteria can be present. In this study, the sewage sludge was aerobically treated by composting with other materials (co-composted), and the resulting substrate was tested for suitability of its use in agriculture. Closer attention was focused on the pharmaceuticals (non-steroidal antiphlogistics, sartanes, antiepileptics, caffeine, and nicotine metabolites) content and ecotoxicity of the resulting substrates in the individual phases of sludge co-composting. It has been verified that during co-composting there is a potential for reduction of the content of pharmaceutical in the substrates up to 90 %. The course of the temperature in the thermophilic phase is decisive. Growth and ecotoxicity experiments demonstrated that with a suitable co-composting procedure, the resulting stabilized matter is suitable as a substrate for use in plant production, and the risk of using sewage sludge on agricultural land is substantially reduced.

• Klíčová slova
• Aerobic fermentation, Agricultural waste, Composting, Micropollutants, Pharmaceuticals, Sewage sludge,
• MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• léčivé přípravky MeSH
• odpadní vody chemie   MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• technologie MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• léčivé přípravky MeSH
• odpadní vody MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• půda MeSH

Even though sewage sludge (SS) contains a high level of pollutants, it is rich in essential plant nutrients and has the potential to enhance soil fertility. However, the SS must be further treated through pre-composting plus vermicomposting to make it safe for use on food crops. More research and data are needed to determine how different carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C/N) affect the feasibility and quality of composting vs vermicomposting of SS. Therefore, in this study we comprehensively evaluated the feasibility and end-product quality of compost and vermicompost produced from SS under different C/N ratios. SS was mixed with pelletized wheat straw (PWS) at various proportions to produce C/N ratios of 6:1, 18:1, 28:1, and 38:1, then pre-composted for 14 days followed by vermicomposting using the earthworm Eisenia andrei for 120 days. Agrochemical properties were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Results revealed significantly higher levels of agrochemicals in vermicompost compared to compost, including total potassium (37-88%) and magnesium (4.3-12%), nitrate nitrogen (71-98%), available potassium (53-88%), available phosphorus (79%), available magnesium (54-453%), available boron (48-303%), and available copper (2.5-82%). However, lower levels of ammonium nitrogen by (59-85%), available iron (2.3-51.3%), available manganese (29.7-52.2%), available zinc (10.5-29.8%), total carbon (0.75-4.5%), and total nitrogen (1.6-22.2%) were measured. Comparison of the various C/N ratios, showed that vermicompost with an 18:1 C/N ratio outperformed compost and demonstrated the highest earthworm population (165 pieces/kg). Thus, vermicomposting SS at an 18:1 C/N ratio is strongly recommended as a sustainable technology for producing high-quality vermicompost from SS.

• Klíčová slova
• C/N ratio, Composting, Eisenia andrei, Sewage sludge, Vermicomposting,
• MeSH
• agrochemikálie MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• hořčík MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• odpadní vody chemie   MeSH
• Oligochaeta * MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• studie proveditelnosti MeSH
• uhlík MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• agrochemikálie MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• hořčík MeSH
• odpadní vody MeSH
• půda MeSH
• uhlík MeSH

Sludge coming from remediation of groundwater contaminated by industry is usually managed as hazardous waste despite it might be considered for further processing as a source of nutrients. The ecotoxicity of phosphorus rich sludge contaminated with arsenic was evaluated after mixing with soil and cultivation with Sinapis alba, and supplementation into composting and vermicomposting processes. The Enchytraeus crypticus and Folsomia candida reproduction tests and the Lactuca sativa root growth test were used. Invertebrate bioassays reacted sensitively to arsenic presence in soil-sludge mixtures. The root elongation of L. sativa was not sensitive and showed variable results. In general, the relationship between invertebrate tests results and arsenic mobile concentration was indicated in majority endpoints. Nevertheless, significant portion of the results still cannot be satisfactorily explained by As chemistry data. Composted and vermicomposted sludge mixtures showed surprisingly high toxicity on all three tested organisms despite the decrease in arsenic mobility, probably due to toxic metabolites of bacteria and earthworms produced during these processes. The results from the study indicated the inability of chemical methods to predict the effects of complex mixtures on living organisms with respect to ecotoxicity bioassays.

• Klíčová slova
• (Vermi)composting, Arsenic, Bioavailability, Ecotoxicity, Sludge,
• MeSH
• arsen chemie   toxicita   MeSH
• biotest MeSH
• členovci účinky léků   MeSH
• ekotoxikologie MeSH
• hořčice rodu Sinapis růst a vývoj   MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• kroužkovci účinky léků   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu chemie   toxicita   MeSH
• odpadní vody chemie   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• rozpustnost MeSH
• salát (hlávkový) účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• arsen MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
• odpadní vody MeSH
• půda MeSH

Although microbial inoculants are promoted as a strategy for improving compost quality, there is no consensus in the published literature about their efficacy. A quantitative meta-analysis was performed to estimate the overall effect size of microbial inoculants on nutrient content, humification and lignocellulosic degradation. A meta-regression and moderator analyses were conducted to elucidate abiotic and biotic factors controlling the efficacy of microbial inoculants. These analyses demonstrated the beneficial effects of microbial inoculants on total nitrogen (+30%), total phosphorus (+46%), compost maturity index (C:N ratio (-31%), humification (+60%) and the germination index (+28%). The mean effect size was -46%, -65% and -40% for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin respectively. However, the effect size was marginal for bioavailable nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate, and ammonium. The effectiveness of microbial inoculants depends on inoculant form, inoculation time, composting method, and experimental duration. The microbial inoculant effect size was consistent under different feedstock types and experimental scales. These findings imply that microbial inoculants are important for accelerating lignocellulose degradation. Higher mean effect sizes have tended to be published in journals with higher impact factors, thus researchers should be encouraged to publish non-significant findings in order to provide a more reliable estimation of effect size and clarify doubts about the benefits of microbial inoculants for composting.

• Klíčová slova
• Compost maturity, Lignocellulose degradation, Meta-analysis, Microbial inoculants, Nutrient content,
• MeSH
• dusík analýza   MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• lignin MeSH
• půda MeSH
• živiny MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• metaanalýza MeSH
• Názvy látek
• dusík MeSH
• lignin MeSH
• lignocellulose MeSH Prohlížeč
• půda MeSH

Food waste has recently gained much worldwide interest due to its influence on the environment, economy and society. Gathering and recycling of food waste is the essential issue in the waste management and the interest in processing food waste arises mainly out of influence of the processes of food putrefaction on the environment. Composting of food waste encounters a number of technical challenges, arising weak physical structure of food waste with weak porosity, high content of water, low carbon-to-nitrogen relation and fast hydrolysis and accumulation of organic acids during composting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the challenges facing installations intended for food waste composting, with the purpose to their optimization with use of appropriate additives. Physico-chemical, biochemical characteristics and phytotoxicity of the produced compost has been measured. Two additives (20% biochar and 20% sawdust) were chosen from experimental variants I-XII containing different additives (biochar, Devonian sand, sawdust) in diverse concentration. The use of selected additives seems to slightly increase potential of hydrogen value and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, while decreasing electrical conductivity in comparison with control sample. The results obtained also show that the addition of biochar leads to an increase dehydrogenase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities and addition of sawdust has a positive effect on beta-D-glucosidase, protease, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities. The phytotoxicity test shows that the compost made of food waste (control sample) and with addition of biochar is toxic to plants. By contrast, the addition of sawdust shows that the compost was not phytotoxic. In conclusion, the addition of additives does not provide unambiguous results in terms of the quality of the final product in all monitored parameters. Therefore, we can state that food waste was reduced and hygienized, and that the final product does not meet conditions for mature compost.

• Klíčová slova
• Additives, Enzymatic activities, Food waste, Organic recycling, Phytotoxicity, Sustainability,
• MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• kompostování * MeSH
• odpadky - odstraňování * MeSH
• potraviny MeSH
• půda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• dusík MeSH
• půda MeSH

The effects of different organic substrate compositions on the efficiency of outdoor co-composting as a bioremediation technology for decontaminating soil polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated. Four different substrate mixtures and two different aged PAH-contaminated soils were used in a semi-pilot-scale experiment that lasted nearly 700 days. The two soils (A and B) differed concerning both the initial concentrations of the Ʃ16 US EPA PAHs (5926 vs. 369 mg kg-1, respectively) and the type of predominant PAH group by molecular weight. The experiments revealed that while the composition of the organic substrate had an impact on the rate of PAH degradation, it did not significantly influence the final extent of PAH degradation. Notably, the organic substrate consisting of green waste and wood chips (GW) was found to facilitate the most rapid rate of PAH degradation (first-order rate constant k = 0.033 ± 0.000 d-1 with soil A over the initial 42 days of the experiment and k = 0.036 ± 0.000 d-1 with soil B over the initial 56 days). Despite the differences in organic substrate compositions and types of soil being treated, PAH degradation levels exceeded at least 95% in all the treatments after more than 680 days of co-composting. Regardless of the composition, the removal of low- and medium- molecular-weight (2-4 rings) PAHs was nearly complete by the end of the experiment. Furthermore, high-molecular-weight PAHs (5 rings and more) were significantly degraded during co-composting, with reductions ranging from 54% to 79% in soil A and from 59% to 68% in soil B. All composts were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, with significant differences in abundance between soils. Genera with PAH degradation potentials were detected in all samples. The results of a battery of toxicity tests showed that there was almost no toxicity associated with the final composts.

• Klíčová slova
• Bioavailability, Bioremediation, Co-composting, Organic substrate, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Semi-pilot,
• MeSH
• biodegradace * MeSH
• dekontaminace metody   MeSH
• kompostování * metody   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• půda * chemie   MeSH
• půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
• regenerace a remediace životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH
• půda * MeSH