Co-composting organic solid waste with moringa oleifera leaves, sawdust and grass clippings
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Date
2015-03-03
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Abstract
Increase in eateries on KNUST campus and its environ to satisfy the ever increasing students population, has also increased the plight of waste management. Most of the waste produced out of these eateries are organic and can be treated to be reused. The use of composting as found to be the most cost effective and environmental friendly waste management was considered a better option to manage solid waste. The study therefore sought to investigate the quality of the compost obtained from co-composting organic solid waste with various bulking agents (moringa oleifera leaves, sawdust and grass clippings). A 12 week composting period was used for the study on KNUST campus. Waste was collected from various eateries on campus and mixed in different ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 (v/v) ratio for solid waste/moringa leaves (SWM 1:1, SWM 1:2 AND SWM 2:1), solid waste/ sawdust (SWSD 1:1, SWSD 1:2 AND SWSD 2:1) and solid waste/grass clippings (SWGC 1:1, SWGC 1:2 AND SWGC 2:1), physico-chemical analysis of various parameters such as moisture, temperature, pH, organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, phosphorus, potassium and ash were monitored, recorded and analyzed in the laboratory. Composites of the piles were taken to the laboratory every two weeks. Moisture and temperature were monitored daily. Turning was done every five days and the volume recorded. At the end of the study, the percentage content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased. E.coli, total coliform and faecal coliform population counts reduced. There was a decrease in C/N ratio and organic matter. There was an increase in ash content and pH. There was considerable reduction in volume for all compost piles. Moisture content showed percentage decrease as total solids increased. At the end of the 12 week period, SWM 1:2 showed the highest increase in all the three major plant nutrients (NPK) recommended in a good compost.
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A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a degree of Master of Science in Environmental Resource Management, 2014