The Effects of Flue Gas Desulphurization Gypsum on the Properties of Dissolved Organic Matter and Bacterial Community During Composting

Abstract

Composting is a process that converts organic materials including solid wastes into humus-like substances. Additives play an important role in regulating composting performances. This work investigated the influences of flue gas desulphurization gypsum (FGDG) on the properties and evolution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during the co-composting of dairy manure, sugarcane leaf and pressmud (the sludge from sugar factory effluent) with the combination techniques of elemental analysis, particle size, zeta potential, UV–Vis spectroscopy and FT-IR technology. The results revealed that FGDG amendment reduced carbon loss and facilitated nitrogen emission in compost DOM, increased the aromaticity of DOM and compost maturity, enhanced the absorbance of –OH, –CHO, –COOH and C–O in polysaccharides. Additionally, the adding of FGDG was an inhibitive factor to the whole bacterial diversity during composting. These findings provided new insights into the evolution and properties of DOM and the microbial community during the composting process with FGDG amendment.