provided with pipes. Bins were sprinkled with 100 ml distilled water every 5th day after turning it upside down. In 100% floral waste water sprinkled after 10 days ...
Journal of Environmental Research And Development
Vol. 6 No. 1, July-September 2011
STUDY ABOUT THE CHANGES IN PHYSICAL PARAMETERS DURING VERMICOMPOSTING OF FLORAL WASTES Shobha Shouche, Anil Pandey and Praveesh Bhati* Department of Zoology, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Government Madhav Science College, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (INDIA)
Received April 15, 2011
Accepted July 02, 2011
ABSTRACT In developing countries, the increasing waste generation rate and their high collection cost are the major problems .In some cities, the organic waste (floral wastes from temple) are dumped haphazardly causes pollution and unhealthy environment. Biological processes such as composting followed by vermicomposting to convert floral waste in useful organic fertilizer would be of great benefit. Therefore this technique is studied in the present research work. In present study different proportions of mixture of cattle dung and floral wastes were taken and performed vermicomposting process. During process various parameters viz. temperature, pH and moisture content were measured. Study showed that different parameters changed periodically and became constant at the end of process. Along with this the control took longer time to decompose while the mixture of floral waste of cow dung takes minimum time to decompose. Key Words : Earthworm, Vermicompost, Floral waste, Physical parameter, Organic waste
the ability to convert organic waste into valuable resources i.e. manure containing plant nutrients and organic matter, which are critically necessary for maintaining soil productivity. Microorganisms and earthworms are important organisms helping nature to maintain nutrient flows from one system to another and also minimize environmental degradation. Ujjain is the city of temples where many famous temples are situated. Devotees come from outside as well as from city and offer flowers to God and Godesses. After this offering flowers and other Nirmalyas are thrown as a waste material in open place where it decay aerobically and anarobically causing bad smell and pollution creating unhealthy atmosphere. Managed anaerobic composting of waste is costly while aerobic composting takes longer time. Vermicomposting appears to be the most suitable cheap biotechnological process where earthworms and soil microorganism causes degradation of waste material in 45-60 days converting it into valuable manure rich in plant nutrients.
INTRODUCTION Environmental degradation is a major threat confronting the world, and the rampant use of chemical fertilizers and xenobiotic pesticides (DDT,CB) contributes largely to the deterioration of the environment Further depletion of natural resources and fossil fuels, generating carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and contamination of water resources, mainly lead to loss of soil fertility which adversely affect agricultural productivity1 Now there is a growing realization that organic farming adopting ecological and sustainable practices can only reverse the declining trend in the global productivity and environment detoriation2-4. Still more, tropical soils are deficient in all necessary plant nutrients which are present in large quantities in domestic and agricultural wastes. It is estimated that in India nearly 700 million ton organic wastes is generated annually, which is either burned, or land filled5 . In nature’s laboratory, there are number of organisms (micro and macro) that have *Author for correspondence
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Composting is a natural biological process which occurs in a warm moist environment by the action of bacteria, fungi and other organisms6. It requires conditions that are favorable for microbial growth. The process can be either anaerobic or aerobic, but it is much faster and less odoriferous if done aerobically.
for 24 hrs at 70Úc.and then weight of the dry mixture was taken and moisture content were estimated in all the mixture12-16 1. Initial value of cattle dung – 60%. 2. Initial value of floral waste – 75%. Measurement of temperature Temperature was measured with the help of Mercury thermometer at the depth of 10 cm from three different sites and their mean value was taken in centigrade10
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Main objectives of our study to find out the effect of changes of various physical parameters during the process of vermicomposting of floral wastes and to know the optimum conditions for degradation of floral wastes.
Measurement of pH It was taken with the help of pH meter.17,18
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Composting of only floral waste took longest time and the time reduced as the proportion of dung increased and in pure dung composting was quickest. The analysis of various physical factors in composting mixture of floral waste and cattle dung was done daily and results in shown in Table 1.
Collection and chopping of waste 1. Floral wastes were collected from temple and chopped in fine pieces, of about 1-2.5 cm length. These floral wastes were filled in the plastic bins with different proportion of cattle dung as follows7-9. 2. 100% Floral waste : 0 % cattle dung.(2kg floral waste) 3. 75% floral waste : 25 % cattle dung.(1.5 kg floral waste + 0.5Kg cattle dung) 4. 50% floral waste : 50 % cattle dung.(1.0 kg floral waste +1.0Kg cattle dung) 5. 25% floral waste : 75 % cattle dung.(0.5 kg floral waste +1.5Kg cattle dung) 6. 0% floral waste : 100 % cattle dung.(2.0 Kg cattle dung) Preparation of mixture
In the following table, numbers are given for composition of composting mixture and the same are written in tables. Variation in the moisture content Results of variation in moisture content during composting are given in Table 1. At the beginning of composting the moisture content s were 80% in 100% floral wastes, 78% in 75% floral waste, 74% in 50% floral waste, 67% in 25% floral wastes and 65% in 100% cattle dungs respectively. Moisture fluctuate from 75-80% in 100% floral waste while the average moisture reduced as the proportion of cattle dung increased in composting mixture and it was 57-68% in 75% and 100% cattle dung in the mixture. Moisture content irregularly fluctuates with increasing period of composting (Fig. 1).
Each composition was prepared in two sets. Composting bins were kept in cement concrete room. The window compost method was used in which it was not covered and ventilation was not provided with pipes. Bins were sprinkled with 100 ml distilled water every 5th day after turning it upside down. In 100% floral waste water sprinkled after 10 days in the beginning and later not added due to high moisture content. Twenty earthworms (Eudrilus eugenia) were added in each composting bins. During process period, parameters viz. temperature, pH and moisture content, were measured10,11 .
Variation in temperature The results of temperature variations indicates that temp. was higher in pure floral waste and it reduces as the amount of cow dung increase in composting mixture. Variation was 25-60°C in pure cattle dung. Another significant observation was that temp. was generally increased in earlier period of composting i.e. within 2-3 days when it
Measurement of moisture 5 gm sample were taken, then kept in incubator 64
Journal of Environmental Research And Development
Vol. 6 No. 1, July-September 2011
Table 1 : Representative mixture of floral waste and cattle dung Representative mixture S/N Cattle dung
1.
100% (2.0 Kg)
0%(0.0Kg)
2.
75% (1.5Kg)
25%(0.5Kg)
3.
50%(1.0Kg)
50%(1.0Kg)
4.
25%(0.5Kg)
75% (1.5Kg)
5.
0%(0.0Kg)
100% (2.0 Kg)
Moisture %
Floral waste
Days
Fig. 1 : Curve shows variation in moisture content increased from initially 25°C to 45-60°C depending upon the composting mixture and then reduced in later period. At last i.e. after 35-40 days temp. in all composting mixture was 25°C (Fig. 2).
quickly or slowly depending on the process used and condition under which it is executed. The success depends on which organic substance and the decomposers involved. Four mixture of floral wastes and cattle dung having following proportion were taken.
Variation in pH
The composting was done in bin 25 × 25 × 25 cm. size and 80-100% moisture. Moisture was maintained by sprinkling water on composting mixture. Upside down mixing was done weekly.
In initial stage pH was 6.8 in 100% floral waste and 8.01 in 100% cattle dung. The pH values of the composting mixtures decreased slightly from alkaline (8.3) to acidic (4.9). The pH increased steadily and was maximum at the last phase of composting. Another noteworthy observation is that in all stages of composting, pH increased gradually as the proportion of dung increases in the mixture (Fig. 3).
The rate of decomposition was observed and the results showed that the control (i.e.100% floral waste) takes longer time to decompose probably it may be due to non addition of the dung which has a high mineral and nutrient content favorable for microbial growth and activities. The 25% floral
Composting is a dynamic process that occurs 65
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Temprature degree centrigate
Journal of Environmental Research And Development
Days
pH
Fig. 2 : Curve shows variation in temperature
Days
Fig. 3 : Curve shows variation in pH compounds. The mesophilic temperature in later period in the composts is responsible for the longer times required for decomposition. The results of the moisture contents indicate that proportion of cattle dung reflect the moisture level. In 100% floral wastes moisture level remain high throughout the experiment because in this wastes less water absorbing substance are present and during microbial decomposition water molecule released by the process of degradation. (Table 2) When cattle dung added in to floral waste then the moisture level decreases because of the presence of water absorbing substance i.e. cattle dung. Moisture level of composting materials
wastes matured earlier than other mixture due to the high microbial activity in this mixture. The 100% floral waste was able to retain its moderately high temperature for a longer time as compared to the others. The temperature regime in the various composts indicated that the organic materials passing through this almost has similar same degradation processes. The temperature shows similar results in all cases. The general rise in temperature of the compost in the early stage caused by rapid mineralization of organic carbon and nitrogen in the presence of adequate aeration and moisture as required by microbes responsible for the breakdown of organic 66
Journal of Environmental Research And Development
Vol. 6 No. 1, July-September 2011
Table 2 : Mixture of floral waste and cattle dung Numbers
Floral wastes
Cattle dung
1
100%
0%
2
75%
25%
3
50%
50%
4
25%
75%
5
00
100%
enhances the rate of composting which is indicated by rising and decreasing of temp.
3
In 100% floral wastes 7 pH in the initial stage which decreased to pH 4.5 and then again increased to neutral to slightly alkaline in last phase. In case of mixture of floral wastes and cattle dung such drastic changes not take place because cattle dung contain some substance, which turn in to alkaline product which minimize the chance of lowering pH and instead of it, increases the pH level.
4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1. The authors are very thankful to Shri Mahakal Prabandhan Samati ,Ujjain (India) to provide intial grants for composting of flower. 2. We are also thankful to our principal Dr. Usha Shrivastava for giving her help and support.
The results from this study indicated that processes such as thorough mixing of the material, turning upside down and watering of the composts enhanced the decomposition process. The turning upside down ensures an adequate supply of oxygen to the microbes and at the later stages the turning upside down process fails to reheat the composting pile indicating that the compost materials has become biologically stable.
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CONCLUSION The following conclusion can drown from the study: 1
2
Temp. should be maintained in between 2530°C for proper activity of microorganisms and earthworms by regular upside down turning and water sprinkling. pH should be maintained in between 6-8 by keeping right proportion of floral waste and cattle dung.
Rate of composting depends on the nature of composting mixture specially amount of cellulose. It is inversely proportional to amount of cellulose. Moisture level of composting mixture should be maintained in between 60-70% either by regular sprinkling of water or by maintained appropriate proportion of organic wastes with cattle dung.
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