Evaluation of the impact of contaminant on trace metal content of compost

• Author / Creator

  Zhou, Lixian

• Literature reviews indicated that batteries, ferrous, non-ferrous materials, and electronic products are major contributors of trace metals in municipal solid waste
  (MSW). In order to assess the impact of various contaminants on the trace metal content of compost, contaminants including alkaline batteries, galvanized nails, Zn-plated screws, copper wires and electronic cables were exposed to a thermophilic composting process for three weeks. The increase in trace metal content in the compost product was measured, after the composting process. The results showed that the main contributors of trace metals are copper wires and galvanized nails. They contributed 51.9% of the CCME A limit for copper and
  29.5% of the CCME A limit for zinc, respectively. To ensure the compost quality reaches the CCME category A criteria, contaminants made from bare copper or coated with zinc should be removed from the composting feedstock as much as possible.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Compost
  • MSW
  • Comtaminant
  • Metal
  • Composting

• Graduation date

  Spring 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R38C85

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.