Bioconversion of coir ETP sludge: An eco-friendly path to circular economy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.5447

Keywords:

Amaranthus, coir ETP sludge, composting, solid waste management

Abstract

The accumulation of sludge from Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) in coir industries has become a serious concern, raising critical questions about the eco-friendly management of large volumes of coir industry ETP sludge in coir-producing countries like India. This study aimed to explore a viable solution for bioprocessing the sludge and assess its potential as a soil amendment. Based on the C: N ratio and the initial characteristics of the ETP sludge, cow dung, and poultry manure were identified as potential amendments for sustainable bioconversion. The mixture was inoculated with TNAU Biomineralizer, a specialized culture that aids in decomposition. The bioconversion experiment used six treatment combinations (T1 to T6) to monitor nutrient transformations. Compost from treatment T6 (50% Sludge + 25% Poultry Manure + 25% Cow Dung + TNAU Biomineralizer) exhibited a significant improvement in nutrient content. The efficacy of the composted sludge was further assessed through a pot culture experiment using the Amaranthus variety CO 6, where different proportions of the composted sludge were applied alongside recommended agricultural practices. The results revealed that treatment T8 (100% Composted Sludge + Silica Solubilizing Bacteria) and the recommended package of practices combined with 100% Composted sludge significantly enhanced growth parameters, including root length, shoot length, and the number of leaves, outperforming other treatments. This study highlights that the bioconversion of coir industry ETP sludge with organic amendments and TNAU Biomineralizer offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution, presenting a promising approach to advancing the circular economy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Coir Board. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Govt of India [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Dec 21]. Available from: http://coirboard.gov.in/

Jayabalakrishnan R, Rani S, Sudhalakshmi C. Studies on the pilot scale filtration system for coir wastewater treatment. Int J Environ Clim Chang. 2022;12(6):75-80. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2022/v12i630689

Kasthuri J, Cholarajan A, Vijayakumar R, Muthukumaran P. Physico-chemical and microbial analysis of coir industry effluent. Asian J Res Pharma Sci. 2011;1(2):44-46.

Moktadir MA, Ren J, Zhou J. A systematic review on tannery sludge to energy route: current practices, impacts, strategies and future directions. Sci Total Environ. 2023;901:166244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166244

Abbas N, Jamil N, Hussain N. Assessment of key parameters in tannery sludge management: a prerequisite for energy recovery. Energy Sources A: Recovery Util Environ Eff. 2016;38(18):2656-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2015.1117544

Guo S, Liu T, Che D, Liu H, Sun B. Effects of carbohydrates on NOx precursor formation from proteins during sewage sludge pyrolysis. Environ Technol Innov. 2021;23:101594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101594

Ramos RF, Santana NA, de Andrade N, Romagna IS, Tirloni B, de Oliveira Silveira A, et al. Vermicomposting of cow manure: Effect of time on earthworm biomass and chemical, physical and biological properties of vermicompost. Bioresource Technology. 2022;345:126572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2008.11.027

Bernal MP, Alburquerque J, Moral R. Composting of animal manures and chemical criteria for compost maturity assessment; a review. Bioresour Technol. 2009;100(22):5444-53.

Sundaram L, Vincent SGT. Bio-composting of latex ETP sludge and effect of latex compost on cowpea. J Glob Biosci. 2017;6(8):5177-88.

Zhao B, Wang Y, Ma L, Li Y, Deng Y, Chen X, et al. Adding an appropriate proportion of phosphogypsum ensured rice husk and urea composting to promote the compost as substrate utilization. Bioresour Technol. 2022;344:126301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126301

Yousefi J, Younesi H, Ghasempoury SM. Co?composting of municipal solid waste with sawdust: improving compost quality. Clean–Soil Air Water. 2013;41(2):185-94. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201100315

Hwang HY, Kim SH, Kim MS, Park SJ, Lee CH. Co-composting of chicken manure with organic wastes: characterization of gases emissions and compost quality. Appl Biol Chem. 2020;63:3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13765-019-0483-8

Núñez F, Pérez M, Leon-Fernández LF, García-Morales JL, Fernández-Morales FJ. Effect of the mixing ratio on the composting of OFMSW digestate: assessment of compost quality. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag. 2022;24(5):1818-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01438-1

Suhartini S, Wijana S, Wardhani N, Muttaqin S, editors. Composting of chicken manure for biofertiliser production: a case study in Kidal Village, Malang Regency. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Innovation and Technology; 2019 Oct 23–24; Malang, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Vol. 524. Bristol: IOP Publishing; 2019.

Speight MCD. StN key for the identification of the genera of European Syrphidae 2020. Syrph the Net: the database of European Syrphidae (Diptera). 2020;105:1-47.

Tanaji CS, Shahaji SP, Suhas JA. Stabilization of dairy industry sludge with leaf litter using as composting and its effect on Spinacia oleracea plant growth. Mater Today Proc. 2023;73(Pt 3):455-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.600

AOAC. Official methods of analysis. 15th ed. Washington (DC): Association of Official Analytical Chemists; 1990.

Jackson RD. Diurnal changes in soil water content during drying. In: Chairman RRB, editor. Field Soil Water Regime. SSSA Special Publications. Vol. 5. Madison (WI): Soil Science Society of America; 1973. p. 37–55.

Humphries EC. Mineral components and ash analysis. In: Paech K, Tracey MV, editors. Modern Methods of Plant Analysis / Moderne Methoden der Pflanzenanalyse. Vol. 1. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 1956. p. 468–502. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-80530-1_17.

Olsen SR, Cole CV, Watanabe FS. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. Washington (DC): US Government Printing Office; 1954. USDA Circular No.: 939.

Stutzenberger FJ, Kaufman AJ, Lossin RD. Cellulolytic activity in municipal solid waste composting. Can J Microbiol. 1970;16(7):553-60. https://doi.org/10.46770/AS.2014.02.003

Vysetti B, Vummiti D, Roy P, Taylor C, Kamala CT, Satyanarayanan M, et al. Analysis of geochemical samples by microwave plasma-AES. At Spectrosc. 2014;35(2):65-78. https://doi.org/10.46770/AS.2014.02.003

Raturi G, Sharma Y, Rana V, Thakral V, Myaka B, Salvi P, et al. Exploration of silicate solubilizing bacteria for sustainable agriculture and silicon biogeochemical cycle. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2021;166:827-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.06.039

Fels LE, Hayany BE, Aguelmous A, Boutafda A, Zegzouti Y, Ghizlen EM, et al. The use of microorganisms for the biodegradation of sewage sludge and the production of biocompost for sustainable agriculture. In: Giri B, Prasad R, Wu QS, Varma A, editors. Biofertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. Soil Biology. Vol. 55. Cham: Springer; 2019. p. 301–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18933-4_13

Dhiman S, Kumar S, Baliyan N, Dheeman S, Maheshwari DK. Cattle dung manure microbiota as a substitute for mineral nutrients and growth management practices in plants. In: Maheshwari DK, Dheeman S, editors. Endophytes: Mineral Nutrient Management. Vol. 3. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity. Vol. 26. Cham: Springer; 2021. p. 77–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65447-4_4

Azim K, Soudi B, Boukhari S, Perissol C, Roussos S, Thami Alami I. Composting parameters and compost quality: a literature review. Org Agr. 2018;8:141-58.

Kelleher B, Leahy JJ, Henihan AM, O'dwyer TF, Sutton D, Leahy MJ. Advances in poultry litter disposal technology-a review. Bioresour Technol. 2002;83(1):27-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00133-X

Bhavisha B, Barkha V, Monika, Singh UK, Singh P, Singh RP. Recycling of organic wastes in agriculture: an environmental perspective. Int J Environ Res.2019; 13: 409–429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-019-00175-y

Tyagi VK, Lo SL. Sludge: a waste or renewable source for energy and resources recovery?. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2013;25:708-28.

Chinakwe E, Ibekwe V, Ofoh M, Nwogwugwu N, Adeleye S, Chinakwe P, et al. Effect of temperature changes on the bacterial and fungal succession patterns during composting of some organic wastes in greenhouse. J Adv Microbiol. 2019;15(1):1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.9734/jamb/2019/v15i130075

Finstein MS. Composting in the context of municipal solid waste management. In: Mitchel R, editor. Environmental Microbiology. New York: Wiley-Liss; 1992. p. 355–74.

Ahn HK, Mulbry W, White J, Kondrad S. Pile mixing increases greenhouse gas emissions during composting of dairy manure. Bioresour Technol. 2011;102(3):2904-09. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.10.142

Smith JL, Collins HP, Bailey VL. The effect of young biochar on soil respiration. Soil Biol Biochem. 2010;42(12):2345-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.09.013

Seyedbagheri MM. Compost: production, quality and use in commercial agriculture. Moscow (ID): University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; 2010. Report No.: CIS 1175.

Sangodoyin A, Amori A. Aerobic composting of cassava peels using cow dung, sewage sludge and poultry manure as supplements. Eur Int J Sci Technol. 2013;2(8):22-34.

Hemidat S, Jaar M, Nassour A, Nelles M. Monitoring of composting process parameters: a case study in Jordan. Waste Biomass Valor. 2018;9:2257-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-018-0197-x

Karak T, Bhattacharyya P, Paul RK, Das T, Saha SK. Evaluation of composts from agricultural wastes with fish pond sediment as bulking agent to improve compost quality. Clean - Soil Air Water. 2013;41(7):711-23. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201200142

Karanja AW, Njeru EM, Maingi JM. Assessment of physicochemical changes during composting rice straw with chicken and donkey manure. Int J Recycl Org Waste Agric. 2019;8(1):65-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-019-0270-x

Ayed F, Boussadia O, Grissa H, Abdallah RAB, Jabnoun-Khiareddine H, Daami-Remadi M. Assessment of physico-chemical, microbial and phytotoxic changes of various organic wastes during their composting process. J Environ Agric Stud. 2021;2(2):21-35.

Temel FA. Evaluation of the influence of rice husk amendment on compost quality in the composting of sewage sludge. Bioresour Technol. 2023;373:128748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128748

Ye P, Fang L, Song D, Zhang M, Li R, Awasthi MK, et al. Insights into carbon loss reduction during aerobic composting of organic solid waste: a meta-analysis and comprehensive literature review. Sci Total Environ. 2023;862:160787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160787

Aycan DÜMenc? N, Cagcag Yolcu O, Aydin Temel F, Turan NG. Identifying the maturity of co-compost of olive mill waste and natural mineral materials: modelling via ANN and multi-objective optimization. Bioresour Technol. 2021;338:125516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125516

Al-Bataina BB, Young TM, Ranieri E. Effects of compost age on the release of nutrients. Int Soil Water Conserv Res. 2016;4(3):230-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2016.07.003

Said-Pullicino D, Erriquens FG, Gigliotti G. Changes in the chemical characteristics of water-extractable organic matter during composting and their influence on compost stability and maturity. Bioresour Technol. 2007;98(9):1822-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2006.06.018

Bay?nd?r Y, Cagcag Yolcu O, Ayd?n Temel F, Turan NG. Evaluation of a cascade artificial neural network for modeling and optimization of process parameters in co-composting of cattle manure and municipal solid waste. J Environ Manag. 2022;318:115496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115496

Wang L, Yu X, Xiong W, Li P, Wang S, Fan A, et al. Enhancing robustness of aerobic granule sludge under low C/N ratios with addition of kitchen wastewater. J Environ Manag. 2020;265:110503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110503.

Appiah-Effah E, Nyarko KB, Awuah E, Antwi EO. Rotary drum composter as a low cost method for the removal of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura in faecal sludge compost. Water Pract Technol. 2018;13(2):237-46.

Ofei-Quartey MNL, Appiah-Effah E, Akodwaa-Boadi K, Ampaw B, Taylor TS, Millogo ZEN. Enhancing the economic potential of organic waste by co-composting using ratio modelling toward a circular economy. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag. 2023;25(3):1560-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01633-8

Chen L, Chen Y, Li Y, Liu Y, Jiang H, Li H, et al. Improving the humification by additives during composting: a review. Waste Management. 2023;158:93-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2022.12.040

Huang GF, Wong JWC, Wu QT, Nagar BB. Effect of C/N on composting of pig manure with sawdust. Waste Management. 2004;24(8):805-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2004.03.011

Ruggero F, Carretti E, Gori R, Lotti T, Lubello C. Monitoring of degradation of starch-based biopolymer film under different composting conditions, using TGA, FTIR and SEM analysis. Chemosphere. 2020;246:125770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125770

Li L, Li H, Tong L, Lv Y. Sustainable agriculture practices: utilizing composted sludge fertilizer for improved crop yield and soil health. Agronomy. 2024;14(4):756. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040756

Published

30-12-2024

How to Cite

1.
Divya PR, Sivasubramanian K, Maheswari M, Bama KS, Kavitha M, Karthika S, Dhevagi P. Bioconversion of coir ETP sludge: An eco-friendly path to circular economy. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 30 [cited 2025 Jan. 7];11(sp4). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/5447

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.