Abstract
ABSTRACT Organic compost from biomass residues constitutes a viable alternative for partial or total replacement of mineral fertilizers for growing vegetables. This study evaluated the effects of compost on the water quality of a stream used mainly for irrigation of agricultural crops cultivated in nearby soil that has been treated with organic compost produced by carcasses, animal and vegetable waste for the last ten years. We sampled water biannually for two years, 2013 and 2014, from five locations along the stream. Physical variables and some chemical variables were analyzed. We also analyzed the total number of coliforms (Escherichia coli). Bacterial populations were compared by carbon substrate consumption. Total phosphorus contents in the samples from 2014 exceeded 0.1 mg L-1. The concentrations of other chemical species analyzed and the results for the physical variables were in accordance with the expected values compared with national and international water quality standards. The environment showed differential carbon source consumption and a high diversity of microorganisms, but our results did not show any evidence that the applied compost is changing the microbial population or its metabolic activity. This study shows that the use of the organic compost in agricultural areas seen does not negatively influence the quality of surface water in the study area. These results are important because the process of composting animal and vegetable waste and the use of compost obtained can be an alternative sustainable for adequate destination of these wastes.
Highlights
Organic compost obtained by composting generally has a lower concentration of macro and micro plant nutrients than mineral fertilizers, and these elements are not available for immediate utilization by organisms (Ogundare; Lajide, 2013)
Organic compost is more economical as a source of nutrients than mineral fertilizers, which are responsible for increases in production costs (Weindorf; Muir; LanderoSánches, 2011; Lim et al, 2015)
The arithmetic means of the variables pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl, NO2--N, NO3--N, NH4+-N, total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) for all sampled times and points are shown in Figures 3 and 4
Summary
Organic compost obtained by composting generally has a lower concentration of macro and micro plant nutrients than mineral fertilizers, and these elements are not available for immediate utilization by organisms (Ogundare; Lajide, 2013). This type of compost has beneficial effects on the soil, as it can increase the organic matter thereby improving its physical properties and increasing the proliferation of microorganisms in the rhizosphere (Ogundare; Lajide, 2013). Composting is a decomposition process that can be performed using different sources of organic matter, such as animal or vegetable waste, and it has been identified as one of the best methods for final disposal of carcasses or other organic waste (Cancelado et al, 2014). Because high concentrations of nutrients may cause public health problems and damage to the environment, water quality diagnostics are essential (Zhao et al, 2015)
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