| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silva et al_ 2024 | 1.56 MB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
In Portugal, the number of fres and the size of burnt areas are rising dramatically every year, increasing with improper management of
agroforestry wastes (AFRs). This work aims to study the composting of these wastes with minimal operational costs and understand
the environmental impact and the compost application on burnt soil. Thus, a study of life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out
based on windrow composting processes, considering the avoided environmental impacts associated with the end-product quality
and its application as an organic amendment. Three composting piles were made with AFRs from the Residual Biomass Collection
Centre (RBCC) in Bodiosa (Portugal). Sewage sludges (SS) from an urban wastewater treatment plant were used as conditioning agent.
One pile with AFRs (MC) and another with AFRs and SS (MCS) were managed according to good composting practices. Another
pile with the AFRs was developed without management (NMC), thus with a minimal operational cost. Periodically, it was measured
several physical and chemical parameters according to standard methodologies. Eleven environmental impacts of compost production,
MC and MCS, were analyzed by a LCA tool, and their efect on the growth of Pinus pinea was evaluated, using peat as reference.
Composting evolution was expected for both piles. Final composts, MC and MCS, were similar, complying with organic amendment
quality parameters. Compost NMC, with no operational management, showed the highest germination index. Piles MC and MCS
showed similar environmental impacts, contributing to a negative impact on global warming, acidifcation, and eutrophication. Greater
growth was obtained with application of MCS, followed by MC, and fnally, peat. Composting is a sustainable way to valorize AFRs
wastes, producing compost that could restore burnt soils and promote plant growth and circular economy.
Description
Keywords
Composting Life cycle assessment Forest fires Forest and agriculture residues Residual Biomass Collection Centre Soil
Citation
Silva, M. E. F., Saetta, R., Raimondo, R., Costa, J. M., Ferreira, J. V., & Brás, I. (2024). Forest waste composting—Operational management, environmental impacts, and application. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32279-0