Composting Practices for the Remediation of Matrices Contaminated by Recalcitrant Organic Pollutants
Abstract
Composting has been known since ancient times. Nowadays this process is widely used for stabilization of biodegradable wastes and preparation of organic fertilizers.
Due to low substrate selectivity and high biodiversity, the compost-inhabiting microbial consortia are capable of breaking down organic matter of different nature including those artificial chemical compounds that are persistent in the natural environment. Therefore, composting practices can be utilized for ex situ remediation of different matrices contaminated with recalcitrant organic pollutants.
Composting and compost addition are a sustainable and effective bioremediation option, especially for the treatment of soil contaminated with mixtures of hydrocarbons (fuels, lubricating oils, creosote, etc.), explosives, phenols, some pesticides, and emerging pollutants. In order to understand the bioremediation technology based on composting processes, it is necessary to introduce the general principles of composting organic wastes.
Therefore, this chapter consists of two parts. The first part concerns the general principles of composting organic wastes including information on the composting process, stages of composting, factors affecting the composting process, and composting systems.
The second part focuses on the actual bioremediation of contaminated solid wastes. Factors and mechanisms affecting the co-composting process are discussed, and a review of the co-composting applications for different contaminant groups is also provided.