Characterization of natural organic matter (NOM) derived from sewage sludge compost. Part 1: chemical and spectroscopic properties

In this study changes in the properties of natural organic matter (NOM) were studied during composting of sewage sludge in a laboratory experiment using the pile method. Typical physicochemical parameters were measured during 53 days of composting including humic fractions. The effects of humification on the molecular properties of humic acids (HA) were investigated by 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of chemical analyses, 53 days of composting sewage sludge with structural material can be divided into three phases: (i) domination of rapid decomposition of non-humic, easily biodegradable organic matter (two to three weeks), (ii) domination of organic matter humification and formation of polycondensed, humic-like substances (the next two weeks), (iii) stabilization of transformed organic material and weak microbial activity. Spectroscopic characterization (13C NMR) of compost humic acids reveals changes in their structures during maturation. The changes are highly correlated with the processes taking place in bulk compost.