Insight into effects of pyrolysis products and white-rot fungi on co-composting of pig manure and corn stalk

There remains an urgent need for low-cost and effective additives to allow the simultaneous passivation of trace elements and removal of antibiotics during composting. Here, we investigated the effects of the addition of additives, white-rot fungi (WF), wood vinegar (PA), biochar (BC), and a mixture of the three (OAC), on trace element passivation, antibiotic degradation, composting enhancement, and compost quality improvement during the aerobic composting of pig manure. We found that the passivation rate of Cu and Zn, in addition to the removal efficiency of sulfadiazine (SDZ) and norfloxacin (NFC), was enhanced with WF, PA, BC, and OAC treatment in comparison with the control. Moreover, the co-addition of BC, PA, and WF (OAC) allowed more efficient passivation of Cu and Zn (88.31% and 91.38%, respectively), better elimination of antibiotics (SDZ: 100%; NFC: 90.32%), and increased compost quality as compared with the addition of each component alone. Furthermore, the thermophilic stage duration and the germination index (GI) were also enhanced. In conclusion, the use of pyrolytic by-products and white-rot fungi as additives in composting is a promising low-cost, efficient detoxification method to improve compost quality and reduce environmental risks.