Combined Treatment for Chicken Manure and Kitchen Waste Enhances Composting Effect by Improving pH and C/N

Due to its environmental friendliness, composting is widely used for the treatment of chicken manure and kitchen waste. However, the composting effect still needs to be improved due to the low pH of kitchen waste and low C/N of chicken manure. This paper analyzed the composting effects of chicken manure, kitchen waste, and combined chicken manure and kitchen waste. The maximum composting temperature, relative abundance of thermophilic bacteria, organic matter degradation, and water content decrease for the combined treatment were 77.00 degrees C, 67.04%, 15.00%, and 28.74%, respectively, which were significantly greater than those for the separate treatment of chicken manure and kitchen waste. Moreover, the results revealed that the composting products of the combined treatment had a higher degree of harmlessness and humification based on seed germination, Escherichia coli, and humification indicator, which is advantageous for the resource application of the products. In conclusion, combined treatment can enhance the composting effect due to the pH and C/N of the material being improved by mixing chicken manure and kitchen waste. This study provides a powerful assistance for understanding the composting mechanism of combined treatment of chicken manure and kitchen waste, laying the theoretical foundation for engineering application. Combined treatment enhances composting effect by improving pH and C/N of material.Combined treatment increases temperature and thermophilic bacterial reproduction.Combined treatment promotes organic matter degradation and water evaporation.Combined treatment raises harmlessness and humification of composting products. Chicken manure is characterized by low C/N and high pH, while kitchen waste is characterized by high C/N and low pH. They are poorly composted separately, and need to add conditioners in the process. Therefore, combined treatment of chicken manure and kitchen waste was considered to achieve suitable C/N and pH, which enhances the composting effect and also reduces the use of conditioners. This study provides a novel approach to the composting of chicken manure and kitchen waste.