Biochar, phosphate, and magnesium oxide in seaweed and cornstarch dregs co-composting: Enhancing organic matter degradation, humification, and nitrogen retention

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) 2024-10, Vol.187, p.207-217
• Main Authors: Cui, Yinjie, Zeng, Yang, Hu, Huili, Zhang, Yuxue, Wang, Derui, Feng, Dawei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochar-Phosphates; Co-composting; Cornstarch dregs; Humification; Nitrogen conservation; Seaweed
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.07.024

•Co-composting slightly enhanced seaweed’s plant stimulant effect, all GIs above 101%.•Biochar, high-buffering salts, and MgO raised organic matter degradation by 33.8%.•Biochar, high-buffer phosphates, and MgO enhanced NO3–-N by 16.8% and TN by 4.8%.•Biochar, high-buffer phosphates, and MgO increased HA/FA in humification by 49.6%. Seaweed waste, abundant and rich in plant-stimulating properties, has the potential to be transformed into valuable soil amendments through proper composting and utilization management. Given its low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, co-composting seaweed with carbon-rich cornstarch dregs is an effective strategy. However, the potential application of co-composting largely depends on the efficiency of the composting and the quality of the product. This study explores the effects of adding 10 % corn stalk biochar to a co-composting system of seaweed and cornstarch dregs, alongside varying buffering capacities of phosphates (KH2PO4 and K2HPO4·3H2O-KH2PO4) and MgO, on the degradation efficiency of organic matter, nitrogen transformation, and humification. The results indicate that the addition of biochar and salts enhances the oxygen utilization rate (OUR) and cellulase activity during the thermophilic phase. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) demonstrate more intense solubilization and transformation of proteinaceous substances, along with cellulose degradation. These processes are crucial for enhancing organic matter degradation and humification, significantly boosting degradation (with an increase of 28.6 % to 33.8 %) and humification levels (HA/FA increased by 37.1 % to 49.6 %). Specifically, groups with high buffering capacity significantly promote the formation of NO3–-N and NH4+-N, and a higher degree of humification, creating an optimal environment for significantly improving nitrogen retention (increased by 4.80 %). Additionally, this treatment retains and slightly enhances the plant-stimulating properties of seaweed. These findings underscore the potential of integrating biochar with specific ratios of phosphates and MgO to enhance composting efficiency and product quality while preserving the plant-stimulating effects of seaweed.