Composting of recovered rock wool from hydroponics for the production of soil amendment.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
; 31(20): 29280-29293, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38570433
ABSTRACT
Due to its fibrous structure and high water holding capacity, rock mineral wool (RMW) has boosted the development of hydroponics. Consequently, the amount of waste RMW has also increased tremendously, which has stimulated the research and development of RMW reuse options. In this study, composting and degradability of RMW from hydroponics (gRMW) were tested in combination with different ratios of biowaste compost, including physical and chemical properties of the starting and final materials, and potential ecological hazards of the final product. gRMW had high water holding capacity and low organic matter content, which was easily degradable. Limits of toxic elements according to EU regulation were not exceeded. Degraded gRMW mixtures with compost did not exhibit toxicity to plants or aquatic bacteria and showed intermediate or limited habitat function for earthworms, which preferred the sole gRMW not mixed with compost. Overall, degraded gRMW exhibited parameters of safe soil amendment.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Soil
/
Composting
/
Hydroponics
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
Journal subject:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: