Characterization of organic matter microstructure dynamics during co-composting of sewage sludge, barks and green waste

A microstructure characterization study using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was conducted to specify organic matter dynamics during the co-composting process of sewage sludge, green waste and barks. TEM results showed that ligneous and polyphenolic compounds brought by barks were not biodegraded during composting. Green waste brought more or less biodegraded ligneous constituents and also an active microbial potential. Chloroplasts and sludge flocs appeared to be relevant indicators of green waste and sewage sludge in composted products, as they were still viewable at the end of the process. TEM characterization of the final product highlighted two main fractions of organic matter, one easily available and a more recalcitrant one, and also a remaining microbial activity. Thus microstructure characterization appeared to be an appropriate way of taking the heterogeneity of the organic constituents’ size and composition into account when attempting to specify such compost quality parameters as maturity and stability.