Characterization of humic substances developed during the composting of class II A organic solid waste: a case study in a composting plant in Montenegro, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract
 The abundance of organic waste generated by agro-industrial activities leads to the need to find alternatives for adequate destinations for these. Composting is the most viable alternative due to its low cost, ease of operation and generation of a product with the possibility of economic exploitation. The objective of this work was to present the dynamics of the composting process in an organic waste processing plant in the municipality of Montenegro, RS, Brazil, as well as to present the results of chemical analyzes for the quantification of humic substances contained in the leachate resulting from the composting process. The results of the leachate revealed that it has high levels of humic substances (humic acids between 12.2 and 30.7%, fulvic acids between 12.2 and 45.5%) significantly higher than those found in the literature (9%). Leachate has humic characteristics desired for the preparation of a commercial product for use in agriculture and can be configured as an interesting extra income alternative for the economic health of the enterprise.
 Keywords: organic waste; composting; humic substances; agriculture.