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Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Selected U.S. Municipal Solid Waste Composts

School of Natural Resources, Ohio State Univ., 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210.

^* Corresponding author (logan.4{at}ohio-state.edu).

ABSTRACT

Municipal solid waste (MSW) composting has been increasingly recognized as a promising alternative for solid waste management. Because of the variation in both geographic origin (thus feed stock) and composting technology, the properties of MSW composts generated in various regions are likely to be different. In this study, 10 composts were collected from different facilities throughout the USA. Elemental composition and some physical properties were determined. Trace elements and organic C were partitioned into water soluble, exchangeable, complexed, organically bound, mineral particulate, and residue forms based on sequential extraction with H₂O, 1 M KCl, 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇, 0.1 M NaOH, and 4 M HNO₃, respectively. Substantial variabilities were observed in both chemical and physical properties among the MSW composts generated in different facilities. Our results indicate that the trace element contents of MSW composts are in general lower than the average trace elements reported for sewage sludges, and below the pollutant concentrations (PC) for sewage sludges regulated by USEPA. The exception is for Pb, which was higher in some of the MSW composts than the average Pb content in sewage sludges and exceeds the PC. Solid particulate was the dominant form of Cd, Mn, Cu, and Pb, but the majority of Zn was organically complexed. Both solid particulate and residue were dominant forms of compost Cr and Ni. The differences in distribution patterns of trace elements in the MSW composts studied indicate that these elements will vary in their potential mobility and bioavailability in the environment.

The research was supported in part by the Procter & Gamble Company.

Salaries and research funds were also provided in part by state and federal funds appropriated to OSU-OARDC. OARDC Journal Article No. 181-94.

Received for publication November 22, 1994.

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