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Main Title Microbial activity in composting municipal sewage sludge /
Author Vestal, J. Robie. ; McKinley, V. L.
Other Authors
Author Title of a Work
McKinley, Vicky L.
CORP Author Cincinnati Univ., OH. Dept. of Biological Sciences.;Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH. Water Engineering Research Lab.
Publisher U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Engineering Research Laboratory,
Year Published 1986
Report Number EPA/600/2-86/025; EPA-R-807852
Stock Number PB86-166014
Subjects Sewage--Microbiology ; Sewage sludge
Additional Subjects Composts ; Microorganism control(Sewage) ; Sludge digestion ; Municipalities ; Decomposition ; Monitoring ; Biochemistry ; Temperature ; Biomass ; Lipids ; Moisture content ; Organic compounds ; Proteins
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
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Status
NTIS  PB86-166014 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 109 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm
Abstract
Research was conducted to identify the most important operational parameters which limit the growth and decomposition activity of composting sludge microbiota. Sensitive and nonselective biochemical methods of monitoring microbial biomass and activity were tested and used to study the interactions between the microbial communities and temperature, the primary factor affecting their activity during composting. Optimum temperatures for microbial activity and biomass were generally within the 35 to 55 degree range. Biokinetic analyses revealed that compost samples from low-temperature (25 to 45 degrees C) areas of the pile had much greater microbial activity (14C) substrates than did samples from high temperature (60 to 75 degrees C) areas. The microbial communities became better adapted to increasing temperatures as composting progressed, but their temperature optimum was never greater than 55 C. Biomass was monitored by measuring the lipid phosphate content (an important cell membrane component) of the compost.
Notes
Caption title. "February 1986." "EPA/600/2-86/025." Microfiche.