title: Optimization and enhancement of soil bioremediation by composting using the experimental design technique.
abstract: The objective of this study was the application of the experimental design technique to optimize the conditions for the bioremediation of contaminated soil by means of composting. A low-cost material such as compost from the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste as amendment and pyrene as model pollutant were used. The effect of three factors was considered: pollutant concentration (0.1-2 g/kg), soil:compost mixing ratio (1:0.5-1:2 w/w) and compost stability measured as respiration index (0.78, 2.69 and 4.52 mg O2 g(-1) Organic Matter h(-1)). Stable compost permitted to achieve an almost complete degradation of pyrene in a short time (10 days). Results indicated that compost stability is a key parameter to optimize PAHs biodegradation. A factor analysis indicated that the optimal conditions for bioremediation after 10, 20 and 30 days of process were (1.4, 0.78, 1:1.4), (1.4, 2.18. 1:1.3) and (1.3, 2.18, 1:1.3) for concentration (g/kg), compost stability (mg O2 g(-1) Organic Matter h(-1)) and soil:compost mixing ratio, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria, Edifici Q, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Cerdanyola, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Tahseen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sayara
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarrà
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011721:Pyrenes; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C030984:pyrene