One-Step Extraction Procedure as an Easy Tool for Monitoring a Full-Scale Composting Plant

ABSTRACT. Composting is an efficient technique for managing the increasing production of organic wastes since it transforms them into a valuable product that can be applied to soil to improve it. However, it is necessary to ensure the adequate properties of this product for a proper agricultural or environmental application. Various parameters have been proposed as estimators of the evolution of the composting process, nevertheless there is a lack of easy techniques with a wide application range for monitoring it. This study evaluated some parameters that can be used to test compost evolution in samples of composted sewage sludge under full-scale conditions. Total extractable carbon (TEC) by alkaline solution of sodium pyrophosphate, humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and the ratio of them (HA/FA) were obtained by a one-step extraction procedure. Results were compared with those obtained after an official extraction method for the same parameters. Total organic matter was calculated by calcination (TOM%...