MOROCOMP (LIFE TCY05/MA000141) - Unit of Environmental ...

Total C (% d.s) 10.5 59.94
Total N (% d.s) 1.76 3.52
C:N ratio 5.97 17.03
Total P, as P 2 O 5 (% d.s) 1.300 0.240
K, as K 2 O (% d.s) 0.691 3.524
Ca as CaO (% of d.s) 4.873 3.387
Mg as MgO (% of d.s) 2.339 1.381
Cd (mg/Kg d.s) 0.986 0.113
Cr (mg/Kg d.s) 18.410 0.828
Cu (mg/Kg d.s) 141.471 7.924
Ni (mg/Kg d.s) 24.305 0.895
Pb (mg/Kg d.s) 81.094 0.504
Zn (mg/Kg d.s) 237.894 48.916
According to Table 2 the primary sludge acquired increased moisture content of
72.2% since the collected sludge did not undergo dewatering. On the other hand sugar
beet leaves had much lower water content of 48.35%. Sugar beet leaves can balance
the water level of the substrate when mixed with primary sludge. The pH of primary
sludge and sugar beet leaves was near neutral which is considered satisfactory for the
development of composting processes. With respect to the total carbon content sugar
beet leaves acquired high carbon content (59.94%) while in primary sludge the total
carbon was much lesser (10.5%). The nitrogen content was high proportionally to the
carbon content, leading to low carbon to nitrogen ratios of 5.97 and 17.03 for the
primary sludge and sugar beet leaves respectively. Furthermore, the physical
properties of green waste make a good quality structuring agent for mixing with
sewage sludge. Thus, appropriate blending of these materials with the examined
sludge will have C:N and moisture values suitable for the development of
microorganisms involved in composting.
The quantity of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K)
incorporated in the raw material, influences the microbial activity during composting
since these nutrients are involved with the protein synthesis of the microorganisms to
build cell walls and other structures. In addition N, P and K are used in the greatest
quantities by plans and are the nutrients most often applied through commercial
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