Avaliação de diferentes processos de compostagem em pequena escala com adição de microrganismos eficientes

Abstract

Composting is known as a method of treatment of agro-industrial waste, however, it presents some limitations when small-scale processes are used, because as it is influenced by outdoor temperature, if ideal temperatures are not reached, pathogenic microorganisms are not extinguished. In the current literature one can see many works that uses microorganism’s inoculation aiming at accelerating degradation process and possibly increase the temperature, but there is a lack about the use of efficient microorganisms in small scale composting, especially at small farm properties. In this context, the aim of this study was to apply composting and vermicomposting methods, using different concentrations of efficient microorganisms (EMs) that seek desirable temperatures in small scale composting, in order to eliminate pathogens and result in a final product with the quality required by legislation in force. In order to perform the experiments, cattle manure, sheep manure, sawdust were mixed, which were divided in 6 cashier, being that of these, in 3 the composting process was carried out and efficient microorganisms (EM) were inserted in the concentrations of 0 mL/L; 2 mL/L and 4 mL/L and in the others it was performed in the vermicomposting and EM processes at the same concentrations. The parameters monitored were: macronutrients, micronutrients, metals and pathogens, which were analyzed at the beginning and end of the process, besides temperature, measured daily. As a result it was obtained that the addition of efficient microorganisms influenced in the reduction of pathogens more than a temperature or the type of process employed, being that the composting, associated to the efficient microorganisms, also benefits in the increase of the concentration of nutrients. And the vermicomposting process, associated to EM, presented the best results of pathogen removal, besides influencing the reduction of metals. Finally, it was concluded that the insertion of efficient microorganisms in the composting and vermicomposting processes proved to be a viable alternative to guarantee an adequate quality of the final compound.