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. 2023 Apr 13;13(1):6027.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-31689-3.

Potassium-rich mining waste addition can shorten the composting period by increasing the abundance of thermophilic bacteria during high-temperature periods

Xiao-Jun Huo  1 , YanZhou  1 , Min-Jie Chen  2   3 , Jian-Lin Zhou  3 , Chun-Li Zheng  4   5
Affiliations

Potassium-rich mining waste addition can shorten the composting period by increasing the abundance of thermophilic bacteria during high-temperature periods

Xiao-Jun Huo et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Conventional compost sludge has a long fermentation period and is not nutrient rich. Potassium-rich mining waste was used as an additive for aerobic composting of activated sludge to make a new sludge product. The effects of different feeding ratios of potassium-rich mining waste and activated sludge on the physicochemical properties and thermophilic bacterial community structure during aerobic composting were investigated. The results showed that potassium-rich waste minerals contribute to the increase in mineral element contents; although the addition of potassium-rich waste minerals affected the peak temperature and duration of composting, the more sufficient oxygen content promoted the growth of thermophilic bacteria and thus shortened the overall composting period. Considering the requirements of composting temperature, it is recommended that the addition of potassium-rich waste minerals is less than or equal to 20%.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Temperature changes in composting in each experimental group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes of pH in different days of composting in each group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes of moisture content in different days of composting in each group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in germination index on different days of composting in each group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Pearson correlation matrix analysis (n = 978) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of compost about the bacteria (a) and fungus (b). DF1_7d, DF2_7d, DF3_7d and CK_7d represent the samples on Day 7; DF1_30d, DF2_30d, DF3_30d and CK_30d represent samples on Day 30.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Shannon diversity index analysis. DF1_7d, DF2_7d, DF3_7d and CK_7d represent the samples on Day 7; DF1_30d, DF2_30d, DF3_30d and CK_30d represent samples on Day 30. High temperature and maturity represent high temperature and maturity stage, respectively. “*” represents p < 0.05 is a significant difference.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Phylogenetic tree of thermophilic bacteria during the high-temperature (a) and decomposition stages (b).
Figure 8
Figure 8
FAPROTAX abundance of thermophilic bacteria in aerobic composting.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Percentage of thermophilic bacteria in each sample during high temperature period.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The abundance of thermophilic bacteria, oxygen content and the time required for composting; “*” means that p < 0.05 indicates a significant difference.
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