Application Of Municipal Solid Waste Research Articles

Application of municipal solid waste (MSW) char during rotary drum co-composting (RDC) of vegetable waste and its characterization.

Composting, a sustainable method for handling biodegradable waste constituting nearly 50% of municipal solid waste (MSW), can be enhanced by incorporating char produced from MSW pyrolysis. This study investigates the impact of MSW char (0% char-Control, 2.5% char-Trial 1, 5% char-Trial 2) on the physicochemical properties of vegetable waste compost. A thermophilic temperature range of 53.8°C was detected in Trial 2, 50.8°C in Trial 1, and 46.8°C in Control. The pH of the mixes increased at day 20 to 7.5, 7.87, and 8.2 in Control, Trial 1, and Trial 2, respectively. The highest drop of total organic carbon (TOC) and volatile solids in Trial 2 is about 21.18% and 21.02%, respectively. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) increased, particularly in Trial 2 (2.35%), while NH4-N concentrations decreased, and phosphorus levels rose notably to 23.48mg/kg, with 2.49mg/kg available phosphorus in Trial 2. The C/N was reduced to 10 in Trial 2. Total potassium increase was highest for Trial 1 (6.9g/kg). Trial 2 had the highest overall macronutrient concentration and correspondingly showed the greatest decrease in volatile solids. Furthermore, Trial 1 demonstrated a reduction in heavy metal concentration in comparison to Control and Trial 2. Consequently, the utilization of MSW char during rotary drum composting enhances the process of composting and significantly improves compost quality, making it a sustainable waste management solution.

Analytical Approach by Sorting of Manure for Farming and Electricity from Municipality Solid Waste

Waste operation and declining soil fertility are the main issues endured by all developing nations, like India. Currently, agrarian application of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is one of the most promising and cost effective options for managing solid waste. It's helpful in working current burning issues viz. soil fertility and MSW operation still there's always a implicit trouble because MSW may contain pathogens and poisonous adulterants. Thus important emphasis has been paid to composting of MSW in recent times operation of compost from MSW in agrarian land helps in upgrading the soil’s physico- chemical parcels. Piecemeal from that it also assists in perfecting natural response of cultivated land. Keeping the present situation in mind, this review critically discusses the current script, agrarian application of MSW compost and energy from part of soil microbes and soil microbial response on external solid waste compost operation.

Analysis and Economic Evaluation of Hourly Operation Strategy Based on MSW Classification and LNG Multi-Generation System

In this study, a model of combined cooling, heating and power system with municipal solid waste (MSW) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as energy sources was proposed and developed based on the energy demand of a large community, and MSW was classified and utilized. The system operated by determining power by heating load, and measures were taken to reduce operating costs by purchasing and selling LNG, natural gas (NG), cooling, heating, and power. Based on this system model, three operation strategies were proposed based on whether MSW was classified and the length of kitchen waste fermentation time, and each strategy was simulated hourly throughout the year. The results showed that the strategy of MSW classified and centralized fermentation of kitchen waste in summer (i.e., strategy 3) required the least total amount of LNG for the whole year, which was 47701.77 t. In terms of total annual cost expenditure, strategy 3 had the best overall economy, with the lowest total annual expenditure of 2.7730 × 108 RMB at LNG and NG unit prices of 4 and 4.2 RMB/kg, respectively. The lower heating value of biogas produced by fermentation of kitchen waste from MSW being classified was higher than that of MSW before being classified, so the average annual thermal economy of the operating strategy of MSW being classified was better than that of MSW not being classified. Among the strategies in which MSW was classified and utilized, strategy 3 could better meet the load demand of users in the corresponding season, and thus this strategy had better thermal economy than the strategy of year-round fermentation of kitchen waste (i.e., strategy 2). The hourly analysis data showed that the net electrical efficiency of the system varies in the same trend as the cooling, heating and power loads in all seasons, while the relationship between the energy utilization efficiency and load varied from season to season. This study can provide guidance for the practical application of MSW being classified in the system.

Influence of zeolite on heavy metal immobilization in municipal solid waste compost contaminated soil

The application of Municipal solid waste as compost (MSWC) in agricultural fields has become one of the most common practices. Besides its benefits, it poses some harmful effects on soil, as it increases the heavy metal content in MSWC of the soil. It is necessary to find a way to reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals in MSWC before its application into the soil. This study aimed at exploring the efficiency of zeolite as an immobilizer to dwindle heavy metal bioavailability. An incubation experiment was conducted wherein the soil samples were artificially spiked with different rates of MSWC (0, 5, and 10 t ha-1). The zeolite was added to the spiked soil at 5 different levels, namely 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 %, and their effect on bioavailable heavy metal status was observed during different incubation intervals (0, 15. 30, 60, 90, and 120 days). Results unveiled that applying 10% zeolite significantly (P<0.05) reduced the bioavailability of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) to Below the detectable limit (Bdl) in all soil samples. Furthermore, the organic carbon status of soil was also enriched by MSWC and 10% zeolite application. The soil pH slightly increased (7.39) with applying 10% zeolite resulting in the immobilization of heavy metals. Hence, 10% zeolite application was one of the most effective immobilizers in eliminating the bioavailability of heavy metals. Therefore, it can be concluded that mixing zeolite with MSWC before applying it to crop fields can reduce the heavy metal overload in soil. Hence, this study highlights the potential of zeolite as an effective choice in dwindling the soil's bioavailability of heavy metal content.

Hazard of selenium metal contamination in vegetables grown in municipal solid waste amended soil: Assessment of the potential sources and systemic health effects

Quantitatively and qualitatively, food security is a top goal for long-term global development. In a relatively narrow spectrum and at trace levels, selenium is both needed and poisonous for living creatures (including humans). Its presence in municipal solid waste (MSW) can be beneficial when applied to land when concentrations are low, but it can also provide a long-term risk to plants, water resources, animals, and humans. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the effect of Se in municipal solid waste amendments (MSW), especially for the mobility of Se from contaminated soil to vegetables. The results showed that Se concentration increased with the increase in MSW, with the highest pollution load index (1.34) observed at 75% municipal solid waste treated (T3). Among fifteen commonly consumed vegetables, the highest uptake of Se was observed by A. cepa (0.043) at T3 during the 2nd growing year. The concentration of Se was also evaluated from different samples taken from residents living in different sites of Sargodha. The concentration of Se is increased by increasing the fraction of MSW not only in the soil but also in the grown vegetables and ultimately in the consumers. Therefore, despite the many advantages of MSW, proper heavy metal and metalloid screening is required in all forms (MSW, soil, and food). MSW application requires adequate rigorous rules and regulatory oversight to prevent pollution of agricultural soils.

Incinerated municipal solid waste bottom ash bricks: A sustainable and cost-efficient building material

Incineration of Municipal solid waste leads to the generation of bottom ash and fly ash. The applications of fly ash are many, but the bottom ash is usually being disposed of directly to the landfills. The study seeks the application of municipal solid waste incinerated bottom ash in the manufacturing of bricks. Since bottom, ash has a high amount of silica, but due to high porosity and less unit weight compared to clay, the direct use of bottom ash is not feasible for brick production. Cement stabilizes the inorganic compounds present in ash and provides the required compressive strength. A series of compressive strength, efflorescence, pH, water absorption, and Ultrasonic pulse velocity tests were performed on eight different mix proportions. OPC 43 grade cement was used to replace 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20% of incinerated bottom ash content by mass. These lightweight bricks fulfill the criteria of minimum water absorption even with 6% cement content, minimum compressive strength, and brick with 20% cement lie under the second-class brick, and the efflorescence for all bricks was under the required limits. The pH value varied from 11.44 at 6% cement content to 12.19 at 20% cement content, and the maximum value of ultrasonic pulse velocity obtained at 20% cement content was 2.74 km/s. A final cost analysis of these bricks was done with the conventional ones, which confirms that these bricks are equally efficient for the construction industry. The applications of these bricks were less but not limited to a specific use.

Variation in frequency of CQA-tested municipal solid waste compost can alter metabolites in vegetables

The use of compost to enhance plant growth and mineral nutrients composition are extensively studied but not much literature information exists on its influence on plant metabolic profiles. A study was performed to assess a 5-year variable frequency of application of Compost Quality Alliance tested municipal solid waste (MSW) compost effect on metabolic profiles of the edible portions of four different vegetable plants. The plants were lettuce (Latuca sativa cv. Grand Rapids), beets (Beta vulgaris cv. Detroit Supreme), carrot (Daucus carota cv. Nantes) and green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Golden Wax) grown under a sub-humid continental climate. The treatments were annual, biennial and no (control) applications of the MSW compost. Typically, soil fertility highly increased with the annual application of the MSW compost followed by the biennial application but declined in the control plot. The annually applied MSW compost increased total amino acids in the lettuce, carrot, beets, and green beans by ca. 323%, 109%, 94% and 18% respectively, compared to the control. Overall, total phospholipids were enhanced by the biennially applied MSW compost. Total organic acids in the lettuce, beets, and green beans were altered by the annual and biennial MSW compost applications by ca. 35% and 23%; 6% and 6.4%; and 22% and 65%, respectively compared to the control. A 2-dimension principal component analysis biplot confirmed positive association between the different frequencies of MSW compost application and soil fertility enhancement of plant metabolites. In conclusion, the annual application of MSW compost enhanced amino acids, phospholipids, acylcarnitines, amines and choline but reduced glucose in the lettuce, beets, carrot, and green beans. Further studies to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning such biofortification will be required.

Effects of operating conditions on biogas production in an anaerobic digestion system of the food and beverage industry.

Food residuals (FR) were anaerobically biotransformed to produce biogases (e.g. methane and hydrogen), and different pre-treatment conditions, including particle size, oil content, pH and salt content, were controlled in this study. The bio-solids of a municipal solid waste (MSW) from a wastewater treatment plant were added to assess its effect on anaerobic transformation efficiency and gas yields. The breaking of FR and the application of MSW were effective in enhancing the transformation efficiency and yield of biogases. The energy transfer efficiency value of the combined FRs used in this study was probably 23%. However, it can be very cost effective to apply arbitrary proportions to treat two types of FR in the anaerobic digestion tank of a wastewater treatment plant. It was also found that the alkalinity and pH value were two major parameters that controlled the success of the transformation. About 0.16-0.17 kg of alkalinity was needed during the anaerobic digestion of 1 kg dry FR, but this requirement was decreased by the treatment applying MSW. Olive oil had higher reducing rates when used as a substitute for heat-oxidized oil to study the effect of oil content on methylation. The conditions for anaerobic digestion established in this study were practical for the digestion of FR in wastewater treatment plants in Taiwan. However, we nonetheless found that it was cost effective to use arbitrary proportions for both types of FR and integrate the anaerobic digestion process used in wastewater treatment plants. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Organik Atık Uygulamalarının Asit, Nötr ve Alkali Toprakların Üreaz Enzim Aktiviteleri Üzerine Etkisi

This study was carried out to determine the changes in soil urease enzyme activity and the relationship between its and some properties of soil as a result of application of organic wastes to soils having different pH. The experiment was conducted as a pot experiment under controlled conditions in a greenhouse and 3 repeats with soils having 3 different pH (acid, neutral, alkaline) values. As organic materials; tobacco processing waste (TW), rice husk compost (RHC) and municipal solid waste (MW) were used in four different rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5%). After a one-month incubation period, the plant was grown in the prepared pots. At the end of the experiment, urease enzyme activity was determined in soil samples taken from pots and the highest enzyme activity was determined in acid soil with 5.0% TW application, in neutral soil with 7.5% MW application and in alkaline soil with 7.5%TW application. Moreover, statistically significant relationships were found between soil urease enzyme activity and soil pH, EC, soil organic matter, and lime content.

Hydrogen-rich syngas produced from the co-pyrolysis of municipal solid waste and wheat straw

The co-thermochemical conversion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and biomass is a new environmental technology and can produce hydrogen-rich syngas. This study investigated the co-pyrolysis of MSW and wheat straw, using a drop-tube furnace experiment. Using a temperature range of 500 °C–1000 °C, the study assessed pyrolysis gas yield, product distribution, gas low heating value, and carbon conversion of co-pyrolysis MSW with different amounts of wheat straw. Adding wheat straw only slightly increases the gas yield and carbon conversion, but improved the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the syngas. At an experimental temperature below 700 °C, adding wheat straw promoted the cracking reaction of hydrocarbon gas, generated by the pyrolysis of MSW. At a temperature of 600 °C, adding 25% wheat straw improved carbon conversion in the blended sample. This study provides a basis for the application of MSW and WS thermo-chemical conversion.

Impact of Long Term Application of Municipal Solid Waste on Physicochemical and Microbial Parameters and Heavy Metal Distribution in Soils in Accordance to Its Agricultural Uses

Impact of Long Term Application of Municipal Solid Waste on Physicochemical and Microbial Parameters and Heavy Metal Distribution in Soils in Accordance to Its Agricultural Uses

Short–Term Effects of Young Landfill Leachates (LFL) on Chemical and Microbiological Properties of a Mediterranean Sandy Soil

Landfill leachates (LFL) constitute a serious environmental problem due to its high concentration of organic and inorganic compounds. However, landfill leachates can be also considered as fertilizer with respect to those substances. The present paper is an attempt to analyze the impact of application of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachates on soil carbon, nitrogen and microbiological characteristics. Three doses of landfill leachates (0.5, 1 and 2%) were used corresponding to 10, 20 and 40 m3ha-1, respectively. The variation of the main physical, chemical and microbiological properties of soil was monitored. Temporary and permanent changes in several properties occurred after the application of LFL. These properties varied in sensitivity to the applied disturbance. Shortly, after the application of LFL the organic carbon and nitrogen (N) increased in soils amended. Simultaneously, an increase in the total number of soil bacteria, nitrifying populations and soil respiration (after two weeks of incubation) was occurred. But this effect disappeared after two months of treatment. The increase in microbiological activity accelerated the loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) and led to an increase of N at the end of incubation. The leachates treated soils exhibited elevated levels of electrical conductivity (EC) and lower levels of exchangeable Phosphorus (P).

CO<sub>2</sub> emission and structural characteristics of two calcareous soils amended with municipal solid waste and plant residue

Abstract. This investigation examines the effect of different amendments on selected soil physical and biological properties over a 24-month period in two cropland fields. Urban municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and alfalfa residue (AR) were used as different organic amendments at the rates of 0 (control), 10 and 30 Mg ha−1 to a clay loam soil and a loamy sand soil in a semiarid region. Results showed that the soil improvement was controlled by the application rate and decomposability of amendments and soil type. The addition of organic amendments to the soils improved aggregate stability and consequently enhanced total porosity, especially macropore fraction. The increased soil organic carbon (SOC) and total porosity values as compared to the control treatment were greater in the loamy sand soil than in the clay loam soil. Moreover, compared to the microbial respiration of control plots, the application of MSW resulted in higher values of microbial respiration in the clay loam soil than in the loamy sand soil, whereas the reverse was found for AR. Linear and power functions were provided for the relationships between microbial respiration and SOC in the loamy sand and clay loam soils, respectively. Also, CO2 emission was stimulated significantly as power functions of the total porosity and the ratio of macroporosity to microporosity. However, the soil microbial respiration and carbon storage improved aggregate stability and pore size distribution, and as a response, soil porosity, especially the macropore fraction, controlled CO2 flux.

The impact of organic amendments on soil hydrology, structure and microbial respiration in semiarid lands

Few studies have considered the effect of organic amendments on soil microbial activity and its contributions to hydraulic conductivity under field conditions in semiarid region soils with different textures and degrees of aggregate stability. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between selected soil properties and hydraulic conductivity in response to different types and application rates of organic amendments. For this purpose, urban municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and alfalfa residue (AR) were applied at different rates of 0 (control), 10Mgha−1 and 30Mgha−1 to clay loam and loamy sand soils under field conditions. Results show that after two years, MSW-treated soils had lower soil organic carbon (SOC) compared to those treated with AR due to higher CO2 emissions from the soils treated with MSW. Higher microbial respiration and mineralization quotient (qmC) in the MSW-treated soils resulted in higher levels of water stable aggregates (WSA>0.25mm) and more macro-pore fraction, leading to greater hydraulic conductivity, with larger increases at the higher rate of application (i.e. 30Mgha−1). Relative to the control treatment, the application of MSW caused greater increases in microbial respiration in the clay loam soil than in the loamy sand soil, whereas the reverse was found for AR. Apart from soil texture, aggregate size was found to play an important role in controlling the carbon stock and microbial respiration of soils and consequently hydraulic conductivity. The macro-pore fraction was more sensitive than the micro-pore fraction to the application of organic amendments. Correlation analysis indicated that during the reclamation process higher levels of microbial respiration, SOC, water stable aggregates and macro-pore fraction were associated with greater soil hydraulic conductivity.

Application of Organic Wastes in a Soil Polluted with Different Rates of Cr-Pb: Effects on Soil Biological Properties

ABSTRACTAn experiment was performed to determine the effects of adding municipal solid waste (MSW) and poultry manure (PM) to a soil polluted with chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and Cr + Pb on the biological parameters of the soil. Soil was mixed with two solutions of Cr(NO3)3 and/or Pb(NO3)2 to give three concentrations (0, 100, and 250 mg Cr kg−1 soil and 0, 100, and 250 mg Pb kg−1 soil) and treated with MSW or PM. When the soil was contaminated with the metals without combining, the greatest adenosine triphosphate (ATP), urease, and phosphatase inhibition percentages occurred for 250 mg Pb kg−1 soil. When the heavy metals were mixed, the inhibition of the biochemical parameters increased. The application of MSW and PM decreased the inhibition of the biochemical parameters and microbial population in the polluted soils. The inhibition percentage was greater for the soil amended with MSW than with PM, possibly due to the high humic acid concentration.

Risk Assessment of Some Selected Vegetables Grown in Metal Contaminated Soil Supplements

Application of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge to supplement soil is an age-old agronomic practice due to its rich organic contents. These soil-supplements also contain significant amount of non-essential heavy metals, posing threat to crop yield and human health. The present study aims to compare the phytotoxicity of the heavy metals and potential dietary toxicity of some selected vegetables grown in soil supplemented with municipal solid waste and sewage sludge. To assess the phytotoxicity of the supplements, plants were grown in three different sets; (1) Hoagland’s nutrient media [as control] (2) municipal solid waste and (3) sewage sludge soil mix. To study the phytotoxic markers, photosynthetic pigments, proline, protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured and metal content of the vegetables were measured to estimate the potential dietary toxicity. It was observed from the study that vegetables grown in supplemented soils showed reduced chlorophyll and protein content while carotenoid, proline and antioxidative enzymes showed enhanced activity. In both the supplemented soil, it was observed that cadmium was present above the maximum allowable limits, amount of lead was marginal and that of chromium was below the level. It was observed that the two leafy vegetables, i.e., Lagenaria sp. and Cucurbita sp. accumulated more lead in their aerial parts, Lagenaria grown in sewage sludge supplemented soil also accumulated significant amount of cadmium in the aerial parts. Edible parts of Raphanus and maize grains also accumulated considerable amount of cadmium, which were above the value of daily tolerable limits.

English

Two year experiment was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to: compare the effect of combined municipal solid waste (MSW) and NPK fertilizer application on yield components, yield and proximate composition of maize. A 4 × 4 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used for the study. The two factors: MSW (0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 kg/ha) and NPK (20:10:10) (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) were combined to get 16 treatment combinations. Sole application of 2000 kg/ha of MSW and 300 kg/ha of NPK rates were observed to achieve the highest yield of maize in 2011 and 2012 seasons respectively among their treatment rates. Complementary application of MSW with NPK was significantly higher than either sole application with respect to plant attributes measured. Combination of 2000 kg/ha of MSW with 300 kg/ha of NPK had significantly higher effect than other interactions in both years and was found satisfactory to achieve the best yield performance and proximate composition of maize in the study. Key words: Municipal solid waste, NPK, maize yield, yield components, proximate composition.

Influence of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost on hormonal status and biomass partitioning in two forage species growing under saline soil conditions

The present study aimed to investigate the efficiency of composted municipal solid wastes (MSWs) to reduce the adverse effects of salinity in two forages species, Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. and Hordeum vulgare L., and their direct effect on plant hormonal status. Plants were cultivated in the greenhouse using pots filled with saline soil (EC=5.13dSm−1) supplemented with 100 and 150tha−1 of MSW compost or without compost that was used as control, and irrigated twice a week with tap water. Biomass production, leaf number and root length were determined at the end of the experiment. We also analyzed contents of potential toxic (Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+) elements and seven major plant hormones (abscisic acid, ABA; the cytokinins (CKs) zeatin, Z; and zeatin-riboside, ZR; the auxin indole-3-acetic acid, IAA; jasmonic acid, JA; salicylic acid, SA and the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, ACC) in roots and shoots. The application of MSW compost increased shoot biomass in both species up to 47%, as well as the number of leaves per plant and root length. The increase in root growth was apparent in both P. monspeliensis genotypes than H. vulgare. In general, MSW compost addition decreased ACC concentration in the shoots and roots of studied species. By contrast, CKs substantially increased in shoots especially in both P. monspeliensis genotypes. Auxin indole-3-acetic acid concentration was higher in the shoots of P. monspeliensis from the north region than in H. vulgare and P. monspeliensis derived from the south region. It is suggested that increased CK content and its transport from the root to the shoot were probably induced by the basipetal transport of auxin from the shoot to the roots. This study suggested that the MSW supply at moderate doses (100tha−1) could be highly beneficial for the cultivation of crops such as P. monspeliensis and H. vulgare in saline soils by adjusting plant hormonal balance.

English

A study was carried out in the experimental farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to determine the effect of composted Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) on some soil physical properties and also the effect of combined application of MSW and NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer on maize. Four rates of MSW; 0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 kg/ha and four rates of NPK fertilizer; 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha were tested. These were laid out in a 4 × 4 factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The result shows that the application of MSW did not cause significant improvement in some soil physical properties such as soil aggregate stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and porosity. Maize yield was significantly increased by the application of MSW. Combined application of MSW and NPK fertilizer resulted to higher yield in maize than sole application of either MSW or NPK fertilizer. The highest grain yield was realized from the combined application of 2000 kg/ha of MSW and 300 kg/ha of NPK fertilizer. The result shows that combined application of MSW with NPK performed better than sole application of either MSW or NPK fertilizer. Combination of 2000 and 300 kg/ha performed better than other treatment combinations and was found satisfactory to improve maize performance in sandy loam ultisol in Nsukka. Key words: Municipal solid waste, NPK, maize, yield, soil properties.

Accumulation and spatial distribution of Cd, Cr, and Pb in mulberry from municipal solid waste compost following application of EDTA and (NH4)2SO4

Municipal solid waste compost can be used to cropland as soil amendment to supply nutrients and improve soil physical properties. But long-term application of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost may result in accumulation of toxic metals in amended soil. Phytoremediation, especially phytoextraction, is a novel, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach that uses metal-accumulating plants to concentrate and remove metals from contaminated soils. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was applied to metal-contaminated soil to increase the mobility and phytoavailability of metals in soil, thereby increasing the amount of toxic metals accumulated in the upper parts of phytoextracting plants. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the accumulation and spatial distribution of toxic metals (Cd, Cr, and Pb) in mulberry from MSW compost with the application of EDTA and (NH(4))(2)SO(4), (2) to examine the effectiveness of EDTA and (NH(4))(2)SO(4) applied together on toxic metals (Cd, Cr, and Pb) removal by mulberry under field conditions, and (3) to evaluate the potential of mulberry for phytoextraction of toxic metals from MSW compost. The tested plant-mulberry had been grown in MSW compost field for 4 years. EDTA solution at five rates (0, 50, 100, 50 mmol L(-1) + 1 g L(-1) (NH(4))(2)SO(4), and 100 mmol L(-1) + 1 g L(-1) (NH(4))(2)SO(4)) was added into mulberry root medium in September 2009. Twenty days later, the plants were harvested and separated into six parts according to plant height. Cd, Cr, and Pb contents in plant samples and MSW compost were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In the same treatment, Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations in mulberry shoot were all higher than those in root, and Cd and Pb concentrations in shoot increased from lower to upper parts, reaching the highest in leaves. Significant increases were found in toxic metal concentration in different parts of mulberry with increasing EDTA concentration, especially when combined with (NH(4))(2)SO(4). Mulberry exhibited high ability to accumulate Cd with bioconcentration factors (BCFs) higher than 1. EDTA application also significantly increased Cd BCFs. More than 30 % of metal uptake was concentrated in mulberry branches (stem of above 100 cm height) and leaves. Results presented here show that mulberry is a woody plant that has the potential of Cd phytoextraction from MSW compost by removing leaves and cutting branches. The application of EDTA combined with (NH(4))(2)SO(4) significantly enhanced the efficiency of mulberry in removing Cd from the compost medium. Adding (NH(4))(2)SO(4) into the compost will lower the risk of the exposure of environment to excessive non-biodegradable EDTA in a large-scale EDTA-assisted phytoextraction by reducing the dosage of EDTA. In China, the need for sod is increasing day by day. Sod is often produced on arable soil and sold together with soils. This would lead to the soil being infertile and the soil layer thin. After several times' production, the soil can no longer be used for cultivating crops and be destroyed. In order to fully utilize MSW compost resources and save valuable soil resources, MSW compost can be used to replace arable soil to produce sod after extraction of toxic metals in it.