Converting paper mill sludge into organic soil using oil palm fibers as enhancement material
2008
Wan Rasidah K. | Rosazlin A. | Wan Asma Ibrahim | Rozita A.
Use of organic by-products as soil amendments in agricultural production exemplifies a strategy for converting wastes to resources. Paper mill sludge is one of the underutilized organic by-products in Malaysia. Current practice for disposal is mainly landfill, which might not be viable in the long run as land cost is increasing. Thus, environmentally safe procedure was carried out in this study to reutilize these wastes into organic soil for horticulture and forestry applications. The condition of the sludge was wet, sticky and caking, emitting a strong unpleasant smell. Since the sludge was in a compacted state, dried shredded oil palm fibres were added as enhancement material to reduce moisture content and increase pile aeration during the composting trials. The resultant material obtained after composting has soil like structure with organic soil colour, friable and no smell. The chemical properties of paper mill sludge and composted paper mill sludge were analysed in the laboratory. There were significant changes in the properties of sludge after composting period. Its heavy metal contents were below the permissible levels sets by the European Commission. Besides promoting seed germination, this organic soil also promoted root development of germinated seed during phytotoxicity test. Oil palm fibre is a significant by-product from oil palm plantation and mills, and the material can be used as enhancement material in composting with paper mill sludge.
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