Research Article Open Access

Behaviour of Main Microbiological Parameters And of Enteric Microorganisms During the Composting of Municipal Solid Wastes and Sewage Sludge in A Semi-Industrial Composting Plant

Olfa Fourti, Naceur Jedidi and Abdenaceur Hassen

Abstract

This study was focused on the microbiological aspects of composting and on the behaviour of main prevalent microbial communities (non-pathogenic and selected pathogenic bacteria) during the composting process of municipal solid wastes and sewage sludge in a semi-industrial composting plant. Results showed that the dehydrogenase activity and Biomass C / Biomass N ratio showed a noticeable increase in the two windrows W1 (100% of municipal solid wastes) and W2 (60% of municipal solid wastes and 40% of dried sewage sludge) during the thermophilic phase (≥45°C for 100 days) and marked a high microbial activity during this period of the composting process. During the thermophilic phase, the removal of faecal indicator bacteria is in order of 2 Ulog10, and a total absence of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella was observed. The re-emergence of faecal indicator bacteria at the end of the composting progress (cooling step) could constitute a major problem for the agricultural use of compost.

American Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 4 No. 2, 2008, 103-110

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2008.103.110

Submitted On: 12 May 2007 Published On: 30 April 2008

How to Cite: Fourti, O., Jedidi, N. & Hassen, A. (2008). Behaviour of Main Microbiological Parameters And of Enteric Microorganisms During the Composting of Municipal Solid Wastes and Sewage Sludge in A Semi-Industrial Composting Plant. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 4(2), 103-110. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2008.103.110

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Keywords

  • Solid wastes
  • Sewage sludge
  • Compost
  • Temperature
  • Pathogenic bacteria
  • Faecal indicator bacteria