title: Composting technology in waste stabilization: On the methods, challenges and future prospects.
abstract: Composting technology has become invaluable in stabilization of municipal waste due to its environmental compatibility. In this review, different types of composting methods reportedly applied in waste management were explored. Further to that, the major factors such as temperature, pH, C/N ratio, moisture, particle size that have been considered relevant in the monitoring of the composting process were elucidated. Relevant strategies to improve and optimize process effectiveness were also addressed. However, during composting, some challenges such as leachate generation, gas emission and lack of uniformity in assessing maturity indices are imminent. Here in, these challenges were properly addressed and some strategies towards ameliorating them were proffered. Finally, we highlighted some recent technologies that could improve composting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Electronic address: chukwudi.onwosi@unn.edu.ng.
authors.forename: Chukwudi O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Onwosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Victor C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Igbokwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joyce N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Odimba
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ifeanyichukwu E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Eke
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mary O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Nwankwoala
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ikemdinachi N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Iroh
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lewis I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Ezeogu
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009812:Odorants; D010316:Particle Size; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Bulking agents; Compost; Compost stability; Odour emissions; Optimization; Thermophiles