Effect Of Municipal Solid Waste Research Articles

Changes of hydraulic conductivity of silty clayey sand soil under the effects of municipal solid waste leachate

Effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) on the hydraulic conductivity of soil is an important factor for designing liner systems. Leachate samples were collected within a landfill and a composting factory leachate lagoon. Soil samples from the bottom of the Esfahan, Iran, landfill were collected. Effects of the leachates on permeability of the soil samples were investigated. The results of study showed that at the highest level of leachate concentration (100%), the soil showed 20% increase in permeability (k) value from compost leachate and 10% reduction in landfill leachates. Compost and landfill leachates had shown contrasting impact on the soil permeability. Key words: Hydraulic conductivity, landfills, leachate.

Municipal solid waste compost application improves productivity, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity of Mesembryanthemum edule

Organic wastes were successfully used as soil amendment to improve agrosystems productivity. Yet, the effectiveness of this practice to enhance plant antioxidant capacities has received little attention. Here, we assess the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost (at 40 t ha −1) on growth, polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities of Mesembryanthemum edule. MSW compost application significantly increased the soil contents of carbon, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. This was associated with higher nutrient (N, P, and K) uptake, which likely led to the significant improvement of the plant biomass and relative growth rate (RGR) (+93% on average) as compared to the control. In the same way, the fertilizing effect of the added organic matter significantly enhanced the antioxidant potential M. edule, assessed by radical scavenging activity, iron reducing power and β-carotene bleaching capacity. This was associated with significantly higher antioxidant contents, mainly total phenols and flavonoids. Heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn) concentrations were slightly increased upon compost application, but remained lower than phytotoxic values. Overall, our results point out that short-term MSW compost application at 40 t ha −1 is efficient in enhancing the productivity together with the antioxidant potentiality of M. edule without any adverse environmental impact.

Compost Use in Agriculture: The Fate of Heavy Metals in Soil and Fodder Crop Plants

The effects of organic fertilizer application on heavy metals accumulation in both soil and plants and on the main soil fertility parameters have been evaluated in a long-term field experiment. The research was carried out in a Mediterranean environment (Rutigliano, Southern Italy – 41° 01′ latitude N, 4° 39′ longitude E, 112 m a.s.l.) since the autumn of 2001 in permanent rain-fed meadows of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). Two organic materials, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) compost and Olive Pomace (OPC) compost, were compared to nitrogen (cocksfoot) and phosphorus (alfalfa) mineral fertilizer treatments. The results showed that at the end of the first four years, the MSW and OPC composts application did not cause any heavy metals accumulation in soil and plants. Only the Zn reached a high level in the cocksfoot experimental soils. In addition, these organic materials allowed significant increases of extracted and humified soil organic carbon in the plots of both fodder crops. In the alfalfa field they also significantly improved the soil total N content, thus indicating the beneficial effects of MSW and OPC composts on soil fertility.

The effects of daily cover soils on shear strength of municipal solid waste in bioreactor landfills

Bioreactor landfills are operated to enhance refuse decomposition, gas production, and waste stabilization. The major aspect of bioreactor landfill operation is the recirculation of collected leachate back through the refuse mass. Due to the accelerated decomposition and settlement of solid waste, bioreactor landfills are gaining popularity as an alternative to the conventional landfill. The addition or recirculation of leachate to accelerate the waste decomposition changes the geotechnical characteristics of waste mass. The daily cover soils, usually up to 20-30% of total MSW volumes in the landfill, may also influence the decomposition and shear strength behavior of MSW. The objective of this paper is to study the effects of daily covers soils on the shear strength properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) in bioreactor landfills with time and decomposition. Two sets of laboratory-scale bioreactor landfills were simulated in a laboratory, and samples were prepared to represent different phases of decomposition. The state of decomposition was quantified by methane yield, pH, and volatile organic content (VOC). Due to decomposition, the matrix structure of the degradable solid waste component was broken down and contributed to a significant decrease in the reinforcing effect of MSW. However, the daily cover soil, a non-degradable constituent of MSW, remains constant. Therefore, the interaction between daily cover soil particles and MSW particles will affect shear strength behavior. A number of triaxial tests were performed to evaluate the shear strength of MSW. The test results indicated that the shear strength of MSW was affected by the presence of cover soils. The friction angle of MSW with the presence of cover soil is higher than the friction angle of MSW without any cover soils. The friction angle of MSW increased from 27 degrees to 30 degrees due to the presence of cover soils for Phase 1 samples. The increased strength was attributed to the friction nature of sandy soil that was used as daily covers soils. Therefore, the effects of cover soils on the shear strength properties of MSW should be evaluated and taken into consideration during stability analyses and design.

MSW Compost Application on Tomato Crops in Mediterranean Conditions: Effects on Agronomic Performance and Nitrogen Utilization

A two-year field experiment (2001 and 2003) was carried out in a Mediterranean environment to study the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost application compared with mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization on the agronomic performance and N utilization of a tomato crop, in rotation with durum wheat. The research was conducted in the south of Italy where five N treatments and two soil tillage depths (40-45 cm and 10-15 cm) were compared. The N treatments were: MSW compost at 140 kg ha−1 (Ncom); mineral N fertilizer at 140 kg ha−1 (Nmin); MSW compost combined with mineral N fertilizer (Nmix) (70 kg ha−1 as organic N plus 70 kg ha−1 as mineral N); mineral N fertilizer at 70 kg ha−1 combined with two applications of foliar fertilizer (Nfito) (3 kg ha−1 as hydrolyzed proteins), and an untreated control (Contr). During cropping cycles, growth parameters and plant N status (SPAD readings and petiole nitrate content) were determined; at harvest the marketable, overripe, green fruit, total yield, yield components, quality performance, total and fruit N uptake, and N efficiency were recorded. In addition, at the beginning and at the end of the two-year experiment, soil chemical characteristics and mineral N was measured, allowing for the calculation of the mineral N deficit in the soil. The results of this research indicate that the application of MSW compost to tomato plants can serve as a N source in Mediterranean conditions, especially when MSW compost is combined with mineral N fertilizer and deeper soil tillage is applied. In fact, deeper soil tillage increased total yield 7.0 t ha−1 compared to surface tillage, whereas soil amended with MSW compost increased total yield compared to the untreated control by approximately 6.4% when used alone and 11.1% when combined with mineral N fertilizer. Nitrogen utilization parameters and Harvest Index varied significantly across years and N treatments. Petiole nitrate content and SPAD readings did not vary between Nmin and Nmix treatments, but they were significantly different from the untreated control. This indicates that plant N status was an effective tool to monitor N supply. After the two-year experiment, the Nmix treatment was statistically not significant in total yield (86.1 and 88.2 t ha−1, respectively), marketable yield (66.9 and 67.7 t ha−1) and quality compared to the Nmin treatment. Furthermore, the Nmix treatment ensured the least N deficit in the soil, indicating that MSW applications were effectively used as alternative organic supplements. Finally, the results indicated a positive effect of MSW application on organic carbon content in the soil and did not show any significant increase of the heavy metals at the end of the two-year experiment.

The influence of municipal solid waste compost on yield, soil phosphorus availability and uptake by two vegetable crops grown in a Pugwash sandy loam soil in Nova Scotia

Abstract Organic materials applied to soils can influence soil phosphorus (P) dynamics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost on soil P availability and uptake by potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) and sweet corn ( Zea mays ) crops grown in a Pugwash sandy loam soil in Nova Scotia, Canada. Three rates of compost (MSW1, MSW2 and MSW3), one rate of chemical fertilizer (NPK) and one mixture of 1/2 MSW compost and 1/2 NPK fertilizer (MIXTURE) were used on both crops according to soil P test results. During the second year, another treatment with the recommended levels of NK fertilizer was added. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design with four replications. The NPK and MIXTURE treatments produced significantly( P −1 , while in corn it ranged from 3.08 to 3.46 and 2.32 to 3.16 g kg −1 in 1996 and 1997, respectively. The MSW compost and MIXTURE treatments generally resulted in equivalent concentration of Mehlich-3 extractable soil P compared to the inorganic fertilizer. In addition, the application of both inorganic fertilizer and MSW compost decreased P adsorption by the Pugwash soil by up to 30%. Municipal solid waste compost may be a good source of P for both potatoes and sweet corn. However, the low availability of compost-N means that supplementary N in the form of inorganic fertilizer may have to be added together with compost in order to enhance N availability to crops.

Choices Of Heat Exchanger Network ForIncineration Plant Fuelled With High WaterContent Municipal Solid Waste

Heat balance calculation was used to evaluate the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) drying on the heat recovery of MSW incineration. Heat recovery efficiency and steam production rate were compared when hot air from air preheater, exhaust flue gas and steam were chosen as media to dry MSW. The calculation results showed that MSW drying always enhances heat recovery by promoting effective steam production. When air preheater was arranged to be heated by flue gas in the heat exchanger network and exhaust flue gas after the air preheater was used as drying medium, heat recovery efficiency and steam production rate gained the highest values, but at the same time flue the gas scrubbing system should be re-designed to match this heat exchanger network choice.

Analysis of total inositol phosphates in municipal solid waste compost-treated soils by two extraction methods

Humic substances are the most dynamic component of agricultural soils. In this study, humic substances were extracted from soils based on standard acid/base solubility and by gel filtration using Sephadex G25. Organic P is a component of humic substances, and inositol phosphates are considered to have high prominence in organic P. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost on the amount of inositol phosphates (IP) present in soils, and compare methods of extracting humic substances from soils. Total IP (IPT) in soil extracts was determined following separation using a AG-1× 8 anion exchange resin, acid digestion and ICAP analysis for P. The percentage of IP (%IP) of the total P in the soil was also determined by colorimetric analysis. The soils were part of an experiment to study the effects of three rates of MSW compost and fertilizers on three crops grown in a Pugwash sandy loam (Humo-Ferric Podzol). The data were compared using ANOVA atP≤0.05; extraction methods, fractions [humic/fulvic, high/low molecular (MW)], and five treatments (three different rates of compost, fertilizer, and untreated soil) were compared. The gel filtration method extracted significantly more IPT and %IP than the solubility method. In the solubility method, humic and fulvic acids contained the same amounts of IPT and %IP, while the high MW fraction always contained more IPT and %IP than the low MW fraction in the gel filtration method. Fulvic acids and the low MW fraction contained similar amounts of IPT and %IP. There were differences in %IP between compost-treated soils and the non-compost-treated soils, although there were no differences in IPT due to rate of compost addition.

Corn Yield and Nitrogen Uptake in Sandy Soils Amended with Municipal Solid Waste Compost

First year and residual effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost application on corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield were evaluated on a Verndale sandy loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, Udic Argiboroll) at Staples, MN, and on a Hubbard loamy sand (sandy, mixed, Udorthentic Haplaboroll) at Becker, MN. At both locations, compost 'A' was applied at 0, 20, 40, and 80 dry tons/acre in 1992, and two other composts, 'B' at Staples and 'C' at Becker, were applied at 40 tons/acre in the same year. The N fertilizer treatments were 0 or 220 Ib N/acre applied each growing year. With the low C:N ratio mature composts 'B' and 'C', yield was equal to or greater than that of the nonamended control at 220 Ib N/acre during the first growing season. Based on the difference between N uptake due to compost and N uptake in nonamended control, about 8% of the total compost N was available from the low C:N ratio composts 'B' and 'C' the first year while compost 'A', which had a high C:N ratio, reduced stand count and induced N immobilization at Staples. At Becker, there was no response in grain yield with compost 'A' without N fertilizer in the first year, however, there was a negative response in grain yield with compost 'A' when N fertilizer was applied. In residual years, grain yield with all composts was greater than or equal to that of the nonamended control without N fertilizer. Nitrogen availability from compost 2 to 3 yr after application ranged from 3 to 10% of the total compost N per year and depended on the rate of compost application. The first year, fall soil nitrate N concentrations were elevated with compost 'B' and 'C', especially with the addition of 220 Ib N/acre. In subsequent years, fall soil nitrate N concentrations increased with compost in combination with N fertilizer.

Establishment of a non-dormant blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) production system in a warm winter climate

Summary‘Gulf Coast’, ‘Sharpblue’, and ‘Wannabe’ southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrid) cultivars were planted at a density of 10,000 plants per ha in southwest Florida to test the feasibility of a non-dormant blueberry production system. A non-dormant production system involves application of nitrogen (N) throughout the fall and winter, which enables the plants to avoid the normal dormancy cycle and the concomitant chilling requirement. If successful, this system could extend the production range of blueberry into subtropical and tropical areas where chilling temperatures are inadequate for traditional (dormant) production systems. Nitrogen fertilizer rate (84 to 252 kg ha–1 N in year 1, 168 to 336 kg ha–1 N in year 2) was evaluated for effects on maintaining plant growth and development in this system. Additionally, since organic soil amendments are known to improve blueberry growth, the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and acidic peat on maintaining growth were also evaluated. In general, increasing N rates from 84 to 252 kg ha–1 (year 1) or 168 to 252 kg ha–1 (year 2) increased plant canopy volume, leaf retention, and rate of new vegetative budbreak. There was no consistent effect of N rates on soil nutrient concentrations, but leaf N increased and leaf Ca decreased as N rate increased. MSW compost incorporation increased P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn soil concentrations compared with peat, but had no consistent effect on leaf nutrient concentrations. Plant height and canopy volume were consistently greater for plants grown in the MSW compost compared with the peat amendment, but there were no differences in leaf retention or vegetative budbreak between the two soil amendments. Plants in this non-dormant system have shown no deleterious growth effects, suggesting that establishing a blueberry planting in a warm winter climate is feasible under the described conditions.

Effects of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost Mulch on Growth, Yield, and Soil Analysis of Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Municipal solid waste compost was applied with a side delivery applicator on top of the bed as a mulch in May 1993, 6 months after transplanting at Homestead, Fla. Papaya (`Know You No 1') was grown with and without compost mulch. Compost was distributed on the surface of the bed ≈90 cm wide and 5 cm thick. There were no mulch effects on trunk diameter nor plant height. Plant height was affected by papaya sex 4 and 6 months after transplanting. Hermaphroditic plants were taller than female plants. There were no mulch effects on marketable yield per plant, marketable size, or number of cull fruit. Sex, however, influenced papaya size and total cull number. Hermaphroditic plants produced larger marketable fruit and more cull fruits than female plants. Lower plant mortality rates were found after 1.5 years in the mulched plants compared to unmulched plants. Soil and tissue analysis showed no differences in N, P, K, Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Cu, and B, except for Zn. Zinc contents in soil and tissue were higher in the mulched areas than unmulched areas.

Effects of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost Mulch on Growth, Yield, and Soil Analysis of Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Municipal solid waste compost was applied with a side delivery applicator on top of the bed as a mulch in May 1993, 6 months after transplanting at Homestead, Fla. Papaya (`Know You No 1') was grown with and without compost mulch. Compost was distributed on the surface of the bed ≈90 cm wide and 5 cm thick. There were no mulch effects on trunk diameter nor plant height. Plant height was affected by papaya sex 4 and 6 months after transplanting. Hermaphroditic plants were taller than female plants. There were no mulch effects on marketable yield per plant, marketable size, or number of cull fruit. Sex, however, influenced papaya size and total cull number. Hermaphroditic plants produced larger marketable fruit and more cull fruits than female plants. Lower plant mortality rates were found after 1.5 years in the mulched plants compared to unmulched plants. Soil and tissue analysis showed no differences in N, P, K, Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Cu, and B, except for Zn. Zinc contents in soil and tissue were higher in the mulched areas than unmulched areas.

SUSTAINABLE NITROGEN ALTERNATIVES FOR SWEETPOTATO PRODUCTION

North Carolina is a leading poultry producer in the United States. Thus, much waste by-product also is produced and must be handled in an environmentally responsible way. Using poultry and similar waste products as a fertilizer source for vegetables, such as sweetpotatoes, might serve as a viable use option. Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness of animal wastes and sludges as nutrient sources for sweetpotatoes. The effects of municipal solid waste, composted litter, fresh litter, and synthetic fertilizers were compared for their effects on yield and quality of `Regal' and `Beauregard' sweetpotato varieties. The test was planted as a split-plot randomized complete-block design with each treatment replicated four times. Planting was 3 June, and harvest was 27 Sept. 1994. Yields were similar when fertilized with either organic or synthetic nutrient sources. Root quality was excellent, regardless of fertilizer, because few culls resulted, and there were no differences between treatments. Sweetpotatoes can be successfully grown with various organic nutrient sources without affecting quality or yield and might be marketed as “organically grown” produce. This label may command a higher market price than sweetpotatoes grown traditionally with synthetic nutrient sources.

Nutrient Concentrations, Growth, and Yield of Tomato and Squash in Municipal Solid-waste-amended Soil

The effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) materials on growth, yield, and mineral element concentrations in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) (1991 and 1992) and squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex Lam.) (1992 and 1993) were evaluated. Agrisoil compost (composted trash), Eweson compost (co-composted trash and sewage sludge), or Daorganite sludge (chemically and heat-treated sewage sludge) were incorporated into calcareous limestone soil of southern Florida. The control had no MSW material added to the soil. The effect of MSW on crop growth, yield, and mineral element concentrations varied considerably between years for tomato and squash. In 1991, tomato plants grown in soil amended with Eweson or Daorganite had a greater canopy volume than plants in the control treatment. Tomato plants grown in Daorganite had greater total fruit weight (1991) than plants in Agrisoil and more marketable fruit (1992) than control plants. In both years, tomato plants in Agrisoil had higher root Zn concentrations than plants in the other treatments. In 1992, tomato plants in Eweson had lower root Mn concentrations than plants in the other treatments, whereas Mg concentrations in the roots were higher in the Daorganite treatment than in Eweson. Tomato plants in Agrisoil had higher Pb concentrations in the roots than plants in all other treatments. In 1991, leaves of tomato plants in Agrisoil had lower Ca concentrations than leaves of plants in the control treatment. In 1992, leaf Zn concentrations were greater for tomato and squash in Agrisoil than in the control or Daorganite. In 1992, canopy volume and yield of squash were greater for plants in Daorganite than for plants in the control and other MSW treatments. Although canopy volume and total squash fruit weight did not differ among treatments in 1993, plant height was greater for squash plants in the MSW treatments than for those in the control. In 1993, leaf Mg concentrations were greater for squash grown in Daorganite than for plants in the control or Agrisoil. In 1993, fruit Cd concentration was higher for plants with Eweson than for plants in the control or Agrisoil. However, the fruit Cd concentration in squash grown in Eweson compost (1.0 mg/kg dry weight) was far below a hazardous level for human consumption. Our results indicate that amending calcareous soils with MSW materials can increase growth and yield of tomato and squash with negligible increases in heavy metal concentrations in fruit.

Reclamation of physical and chemical properties of a salinized soil by organic amendment

An experiment was conducted on a vertic Xerochrept, salinized by saline water irrigation, to investigate the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) application and irrigation with normal (0.19 S m‐1) and saline (0.42 S m‐1) water, on the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The experiment was carried out during one tomato crop (6 months). Organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable sodium, aggregate stability, infiltration rate, water holding capacity and plant growth were monitored. A high risk of secondary salinization was observed when the soil was irrigated with saline water. The physical properties of the soil, such as structural stability, infiltration rate and water holding capacity, were considerably improved by MSW application. This improvement could help in the reclamation of salinized soils due to the increased washing capacity.

Effect of landfill leachate spraying on soil respiration and microbial biomass in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem

The effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate application upon soil respiration and microbial biomass was investigated in a northern hardwood forest of sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) and beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). One-way analysis of variance and multiple range testing of soil respiration estimates indicated that the lightly sprayed area had significantly higher respiration rates than the unsprayed control. Soil respiration in the heavily sprayed area did not differ from the lightly sprayed area or the control. The application of landfill leachate had a negative effect on the total microbial biomass present in the soil. Microbial biomass decreased significantly in those areas which were spray-irrigated in comparison to those which were not, with the areas receiving the highest application yielding the lowest biomass-carbon estimates. Also notable was a decrease in microbial biomass with increasing soil depth and with time during the latter part of the season.

Effect of Landfill Leachate Spraying On Soil Respiration and Microbial Biomass in a Northern Hardwood Forest Ecosystem

The effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate application upon soil respiration and microbial biomass was investigated in a northern hardwood forest of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). One-way analysis of variance and multiple range testing of soil respiration estimates indicated that the lightly sprayed area had significantly higher respiration rates than the unsprayed control. Soil respiration in the heavily sprayed area did not differ from the lightly sprayed area or the control. The application of landfill leachate had a negative effect on the total microbial biomass present in the soil. Microbial biomass decreased significantly in those areas which were spray-irrigated in comparison to those which were not, with the areas receiving the highest application yielding the lowest biomass-carbon estimates. Also notable was a decrease in microbial biomass with increasing soil depth and with time during the latter part of the season.