Variation in the Humification Degree of Dissolved Organic Matter from Cattle Manure during Composting as Analyzed by Ultraviolet‐Visible and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

This study investigated the degree of humification of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during different periods of cattle manure composting using ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy (emission, synchronous scan, and excitation–emission matrix) and determined which method is more suitable for analysis of the humification degree of DOM. Two composting piles were prepared by mixing manure and corn straw. One pile (Pile A [PA]) contained inoculated exogenous composite agents at a ratio of 2% (v/v), and a pile without the addition of inoculants (PNA) served as the control treatment. The results showed that ultraviolet integrated absorption intensities in the range of 226 to 400 nm and 260 to 280 nm and specific ultraviolet absorbances at 254 and 280 nm of both PA and PNA gradually increased with composting time. Based on the fluorescence regional integration analysis and parallel factor analysis, the humic‐like substances became the main components of the DOM after composting. Our study demonstrated that the humification degree of DOM was enhanced during composting and that the inoculation composite agent was beneficial for the humification of DOM at the mesophilic and thermophilic phases of the composting process. Moreover, the results of correlation analysis and principal component analysis demonstrated that the fluorescence spectral parameters evaluated the humification degree of DOM during the whole cattle manure composting process better than the UV‐vis spectral parameters. CORE IDEAS: We assessed the humification degree of DOM during composting process using EEM‐PARAFAC‐FRI. The fluorescence parameter evaluated humification of DOM better than the UV‐vis parameter. Composite agent inoculation composting enhanced the humification degree of DOM. We analyzed the UV‐vis absorbance and fluorescence properties of DOM. Results confirm the correlation of spectral parameters of DOM based on HCA and PCA.