Waste recycling by vermicomposting: Maturity and quality assessment via dehydrogenase enzyme activity, lignin, water soluble carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and other indicators

Present study aims to examine the dynamics of maturation and qualification indicators in various vermicompost treatments and selection of the best treatment along with best maturation time in this regard. In this empirical study, dynamics of chemical (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN), phosphorous, lignin, water soluble carbon (WSC), C/N, NH4/NO3) and biological (dehydrogenase enzyme (DEH) and DEH/WSC) properties were investigated in four various treatments, including various ratios of compost produced from municipal solid waste (MSW) and carbonaceous materials (50:50, 70:30, 85:15 and 100:0) over 100 days. Results showed a significant fluctuation in EC, DEH and DEH/WSC proportions over the process. In addition, a noticeable increase was observed for the dynamics of TN, phosphorous and lignin. In contrast, the C/N, NH4/NO3 and WSC values gradually decreased during the process. Moreover, it was observed that the length of 75 days for the process is an appropriate time for maturation of all treatments. However, the first and second treatments resulted in better outcomes compared with the other types of treatments. From the point of view of quality obtained vermicompost was nitrogen enriched product in all treatments. Whereas, for the phosphorous elements this method is appropriate for the first treatment only. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.