Color change of city refuse during composting process

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Soil Science and Plant Nutrition ISSN: 0038-0768 (Print) 1747-0765

com/loi/tssp20 Color change of city refuse during composting process

Sugahara, Yasuo Harada & Akio Inoko (1979) Color change of city refuse

1979.10433160 Published online: 29 Mar 2012.

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1 Soil Science and Plant Nutrition ISSN: (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: Color change of city refuse during composting process Kazuo Sugahara, Yasuo Harada & Akio Inoko To cite this article: Kazuo Sugahara, Yasuo Harada & Akio Inoko (1979) Color change of city refuse during composting process, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 25:2, , DOI: / To link to this article: Published online: 29 Mar Submit your article to this journal Article views: 119 View related articles Citing articles: 11 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at Download by: [ ] Date: 25 November 2017, At: 14:28

2 Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 25 (2), , 1979 COLOR CHANGE OF CITY REFUSE DURING COMPOSTING PROCESS Kazuo SUGAHARA, Yasuo HARADA, and Akio INOKO National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Tokyo, Japan Received October 23, 1978 Color change of city refuse during composting process was investigated according to the methods of measurement for color of materials based on the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System. Stimulus value Y (the degree of lightness) and chromaticity coordinates (x, y) were determined with Color Analyzer by measuring relative spectral reflectance. Stimulus value Y of city refuse decreased during composting process, but chromaticity coordinates (x, y) scarcely changed. Color of various composts, which were produced from city refuse, straw, hog fecal wastes, tree bark, and tree bark mixed with activated sludge, were also investigated by measuring relative spectral reflectance. The shapes of the reflection spectra of city refuse were different from those of the other composts. Colors of the various composts were similar to each other when specified according to their three attributes: value, hue, and chroma (Munsell renotation). While city refuse was rotting and maturing, stimulus value Yand C/N ratio equally decreased. A positive correlation was found between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio. It was concluded that stimulus value Y can be used as a criterion for determining the degree of maturity of city refuse compost. The correlation between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio of various composts was also investigated. According to the position on the two coordinates having stimulus value Y and C/N ratio as axe s, various composts were classified into three groups: (i) city refuse compost group, (ii) straw compost group, and (iii) tree bark compost group. Additional Index Words: city refuse, color change, spectral reflectance, stimulus value Y. In view of the present world energy crisis, the utilization of city refuse as a source of crop nutrients has become one of our most urgent problems. However, there are many difficulties in utilizing compost produced from city refuse for crop production. Such city refuse compost should be effective for plant growth, and it must not present significant hazards to human health and the environment. Composts that have not matured sufficiently should not be applied to the soil because they often create extremely anaerobical conditions which lead to retarded plant growth. Also it was reported that city refuse compost was harmful to the germination of some kinds of plants when used before completely maturing (1, 2). As mentioned above, it is important to determine the degree of rotting and maturing of compost produced from city refuse. In this report, the change in the degree 197

198 K. SUGAHARA, Y. HARADA, and A. INOKO of lightness of city refuse as well as C/N ratio was investigated, because city refuse becomes darker during composting process.

3 198 K. SUGAHARA, Y. HARADA, and A. INOKO of lightness of city refuse as well as C/N ratio was investigated, because city refuse becomes darker during composting process. The correlation between stimulus value Y (the degree of lightness) and C/N ratio of various composts was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials Various composts which were used in this work are listed in Table 1. They were produced from city refuse, straw, hog fecal wastes, tree bark, and tree bark mixed with activated sludge. City refuse composts were produced in composting plants at various places in Japan. Some of them were produced from the same materials but their fermentation periods were different from each other, e.g. from sample No.3 to No.4, No.6 to No.8, and No. 11 to No. 19. Their fermentation periods are also noted in Table 1. Sample No. 11 to No. 19 were produced in the pilot composting plant. Straw composts were produced by adding chemical fertilizer as the nitrogen source. Barnyard manure was produced from straw, sheep fecal wastes, and sawdust. Hog fecal composts were produced by adding activated sludge as seed compost and by adding sawdust to reduce the moisture content. Activated sludge was sometimes added to tree bark as the nitrogen source in order to prompt composting (Table 1, sample No. 46, No. 47, and No. 48). All compost samples were air-dried and pulverized by Vibrating Sample Mill after removing broken pieces of glass, metal, and plastic. Humic acid was prepared according to the method of HARADA and INoKo (3). Lignin (dealkaline) was purchased from Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co.. Determination of stimulus value Y and chromaticity coordinates (x, y) Color of the compost was investigated by the methods used for the measurement of color of materials specified as Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS Z 8722), which was based on a 2 degree visual field XYZ system (the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System) (4). In this system, color is marked, as a rule. in accordance with stimulus value Yand chromaticity coordinates (x, y). The relative spectral reflectance of the compost was measured with Color Analyzer Model 307 (Hitachi Co., Ltd.). Then tristimulus values. X. Y. Z, were computed from the relative spectral reflectance factors according to the following equation (1): 780 X=EPlilPl y= EPlYlPl Z= E Pl Zl Pl 380 ( 1 ) where P l is the value of spectral distribution of standard illuminant C at the wavelength ).; i l, Yl. Zl. are the tristimulus values on the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric

4 Color Change during City Refuse Composting 199 Table 1. Various composts. A. City refuse compost No. t Beppu City, Oita Prefecture No. 2 Saga City, Saga Prefecture No. 3 Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture (30 days)a No. 4 Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture (90 days) No. S Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture No. 6 Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture (10 days)- No. 7 Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture (30 days) No. 8 Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture (90 days) No. 9 Hojo City, Ehime Prefecture No. 11 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (raw materials)& No.t2 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (raw materials) No. 13 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (3 days) No.t4 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (S days) No. IS Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (7 days) No. 16 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (9 days) No. 17 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (IS days) No. 18 Yokohama City, Kanapwa Prefecture (30 days) No. 19 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture (60 days) B. Straw compost and barnyard manure b No. 21 Straw compost, Kushira Cho, Kagoshima Prefecture No. 22 Straw compost, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture No. 23 Straw compost. Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture No. 24 Straw compost. Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture No. 25 Barnyard manure, Sapporo City, Hokkaido C. Hog fecal compost c No. 31 Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (11 days) No. 32 Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (30 days) No. 33 Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (60 days) D. Tree bark compost No. 41 Kuriyama Cho, Hokkaido No. 42 Commercial product No. 43 Commercial product No.44 Commercial product No. 45 Commercial product No. 46 Machida City, Tokyo (raw materials)d No. 47 Machida City, Tokyo (30 days) No. 48 Machida City, Tokyo (60 days) & Some city refuse composts were produced from the same materials and their fermentation periods are noted. b Straw composts and barnyard manure were produced in Agricultural Experiment Stations. c Hog fecal composts were produced from the same materials and their fermentation periods are noted. d Sample No. 46, No. 47, and No. 48 were produced from tree bark and activated sludge (sewage sludge) of Machida City.

5 200 K. SUGAHARA, Y. HARADA, and A. INOKO System; Pl is the spectral reflectance factor of the sample. Stimulus value Y among the tristimulus values, X, Y, Z, indicates the luminous reflectance, i.e. the degree of lightness (5). Chromaticity coordinates (x, y) were calculated from tristimulus values, X, Y, Z, according to the following equation (2): x=x/(x+ Y+Z) Y = y / ex + y + } Z) (2) Specification of colors according to their three attributes Colors are generally specified according to their three attributes: value, hue, and chroma (Munsell renotation). Munsell renotation value was obtained from stimulus value Y, and Munsell renotation hue and chroma were obtained from chromaticity coordinates (x, y). The details of this method are defined as Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS Z 8721) (6). Calculation of C/N ratio CfN ratio was calculated using the total carbon and nitrogen contents determined by CN Autoanalyzer Model MT-500 (Yanagimoto Co., Ltd.). RESULTS Stimulus value Yand chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of city refuse compost Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the relative spectral reflectance of city refuse composts produced in the compo sting plants at various places in Japan. These spectral shapes were similar to each other at a longer wavelength range. The relative spectral reflectance factor Pl increased linearly with the wavelength (500 to 780 nm). For sample No.3 and No.4, or sample No.6, No.7, and No.8, the relative spectral reflectance factor ~ ~ ~ , ' r r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : ; : : : r i 1 0 ~ ~ : : - - _ WAVELENGTH(nm) Fig. 1. Relative spectral reflectance of city refuse compost. Pl was measured with Color Analyzer Model 307. Each number on the right side indicates sample number.

6 Color Change during City Refuse Composting ~ WAVELENGTH(nm) Fig. 2. Relative spectral reflectance of city refuse compost. Each number on the right side indicates sample number. 40 ~ -r r- -' ~ O O ~ 30 Ii 20 :a l l ~ ~ ~ ~!! ~ ~ ~ ' T ~ " " ~ WAVELENGTH(nm) Fig. 3. Relative spectral reflectance on city refuse compost (Yokohama City). Each number on the right side indicates sample number. These composts were produced from the same materials and fermentation periods were noted in Table 1. PJ decreased in the range of 380 to 780 nm during composting. Figure 3 shows the relative spectral reflectance of city refuse compost (Yokohama City) produced in the pilot composting plant. The spectrum lost the shoulder at the wavelength of 450 nm, and the relative spectral reflectance factor decreased in the range of 380 to 780 nm while city refuse was rotting and maturing. Table 2 shows stimulus value Yand chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of city refuse compost. Stimulus value Y decreased while city refuse was rotting and maturing: from sample No.3 to No.4, No.6 to No.8, and No. 11 to No. 19. Chromaticity coordinates (x, y), however, scarcely changed during composting. Stimulus value Y and chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of the other composts Figure 4 shows the relative spectral reflectance of straw compost and barnyard manure. The spectral shapes of straw compost were nearly straight lines in the

7 202 K. SUGAHARA, Y. HARADA, and A. INOKO Table 2. Stimulus value Yand chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of city refuse compost. Sample No. Stimulus value Y Chromaticity coordinates x y r WAVELENGTH(nm) ~ ~ S Fig. 4. Relative spectral reflectance of straw compost and barnyard manure. Each number on the right side indicates sample number. range of 380 to 780 nm. Barnyard manure (sample No. 25) gave a different spectral shape from straw compost and city refuse compost. Figure S shows the relative spectral reflectance of hog fecal compost. These spectral shapes, which gave higher relative reflectance factor at the higher wavelength range, were different from those

8 Color Change during City Refuse Composting J... - : : l : : : : : : : ; ; - ~ WAVELENGTH(nm) Fig. S. Relative spectral reflectance of hog fecal compost. Each number on the right side indicates sample number ~ ~ ~ r r r ' ,..,, : ~ ~ ~ : : : : L ~ o WAVELENGTH(nm) Fig. 6. Relative spectral reflectance of tree bark compost. Each number on the right side indicates sample number. of city refuse compost, straw compost, and barnyard manure. The relative reflectance factor of hog fecal compost decreased during rotting process. Figure 6 shows the relative reflectance of tree bark compost or compost produced from tree bark mixed with activated sludge. These spectral shapes were similar to those of hog fecal compost. The spectral shapes of hog fecal compost and tree bark compost resembled that of lignin rather than some kinds of humic acid (unpublished data). Table 3 shows stimulus value Y and chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of straw compost, barnyard manure, hog fecal compost, and tree bark compost. These composts, especially tree bark compost, gave lower stimulus value Y than city refuse compost (Table 2). Chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of these composts were slightly higher than those of city refuse compost Specification 0/ colors 0/ various composts according to their three attributes Table 4 shows Munsell renotation value of composts. While city refuse was rotting and maturing, Munsell renotation value decreased. Munsell renotation values

9 204 K. SUGAHARA. Y. HARADA, and A. INOKO Table 3. Stimulus value Yand chromaticity coordinates (x. y) of the other composts. Sample No. Stimulus value Y Chromaticity coordinates x y Fig. 7. Munsell renotation hue and chroma of the compost shown on the (x. y)-chromaticity diagram at 4/ value. Remarks: O. city refuse compost; city refuse compost (yokohama City); D. straw compost and barnyard manure; hog fecal compost; A. tree bark compost; compost from tree bark mixed with activated sludge.

10 Color Change during City Refuse Composting 205 Table 4. Munsell renotation value of composts. Sample No. Munsell renotation value Sample No. Munsell renotation value of tree bark composts were lower than those of city refuse composts, but the difference was small. Straw composts, barnyard manure, and hog fecal composts gave intermediate values. Figure 7 shows the relation between Munsell hue and chroma on the (x, y)-chromaticity diagram at Munsell renotation value 4/. Munsell renotation hue and chroma of all samples were plotted in the narrow region of the (x, y)-chromaticity diagram, i.e. the color of the composts resembled each other as to hue and chroma. Munsell renotation hue range was from 5YR to 5Y (from yellow red to yellow). Munsell renotation chroma range of the composts was from /1 to /3. Relationship between stimulus value Y and Cf N ratio of city refuse compost Figure 8 shows the relationship between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio of the compost produced from city refuse of Yokohama City. Stimulus value Y of these city refuse composts were closely related to their C/N ratio. A positive correlation was found with a coefficient of correlation of The regression equation was Y =0.585 C/N and the standard error of estimate was (n == 9). Sample No. 19, which was the most decomposed compost, gave the lowest stimulus value Y

11 206 K. SUGAHARA. Y. HARADA. and A. INOKO r = Y = 0.585C/N o Fig. 8. Relationship between stimulus value Y and C{N ratio of city refuse compost (Yokohama City). Each number in this figure indicates sample number y= 0.388C/N+8.13 r = o Fig. 9. Correlation between stimulus value Yand C/N ratio of all samples. Symbols used are the same as indicated in the footnote of Fig. 7. Each number in this figure indicates sample number. and the lowest C/N ratio, whereas sample No. II, which was raw city refuse, gave the highest stimulus value Y and C/N ratio. Classification of the compost The correlation between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio of all samples is shown in Fig. 9. These composts were classified into three groups. The first group consists of

12 Color Change during City Refuse Composting 207 city refuse compost including hog fecal compost. The second group is composed of straw compost and barnyard manure. The third one includes the compost produced from tree bark or tree bark mixed with activated sludge. As to the city refuse compost group (the first group), a positive correlation was found and the coefficient of the first group was The regression equation was Y=O.388 C(N+8.l3, and the standard error of estimate was 1.92 (n=21). Con sequently, it is apparent that the composts were classified into three groups according to the materials from which they were produced. DISCUSSION City refuse is considered to become darker according to the darkening process generally occurring in nature, as described by KUMADA (7). Although the mechanism of this darkening process has not become apparent yet, it includes many complicated reactions such as Aminocarbonyl reaction and/or Maillard reaction. As described in the chapter on MATERIALS AND METHODS, the degree of lightness or darkness can be indicated by stimulus value Y. And stimulus value Y decreased while city refuse was rotting and maturing: from sample No.3 to No.4, No.6 to No.8, and No. 11 to No. 19 (Table 2). Stimulus value Y can be obtained rapidly and easily. There is no need of special chemical skill and techniques. The sample used in this stimulus value measurement can be used in another chemical experiment, because it was not broken down chemically and its characteristics did not change. From the shape of the relative spectral reflectance (Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6), it is suggested that barnyard manure, hog fecal compost, and tree bark compost have more red pigment. Their spectral shapes resemble that of lignin. Details of this red pigment should be investigated in another optical and chemical experiment. While city refuse was rotting and maturing, stimulus value Yand C/N ratio equally decreased. Figure 8 shows the relationship between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio of the compost produced from city refuse of Yokohama City. These composts were produced from the same materials, however, their fermentation periods were different. Stimulus value Y of these composts were closely related to C(N ratio and a positive correlation was found. It was concluded that stimulus value Y can be used as a criterion for determining the degree of maturity of city refuse compost. It is interesting that various composts, which were produced from city refuse, straw, hog fecal wastes, tree bark, and tree bark mixed with activated sludge, were classified into three groups according to materials from which they were produced (Fig. 9). Among these three groups, the first one, into which city refuse compost and hog fecal compost were classified, is similar to the second straw compost group. However, these two groups are clearly different from the third group into which tree bark compost and compost produced from tree bark mixed with activated sludge were classified. The third group has ilower stimulus value Y and higher CjN ratio than any other groups.

13 208 K. SUGAHARA, Y. HARADA, and A. INOKO This work was carried out as part of the research project "Improvement of Composting Process of Municipal Refuse and Agricultural Use of the Product" of the Environment Agency, Japan. Acknowledgments. The authors wish to express their thanks to the following: to Prof. K. Kumada of Nagoya University for his invaluable advice; to Dr. Y. Yamada of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Mr. H. Uchiki of Hitachi Co., Ltd. for their help in measuring chromaticity; and also to Dr. K. Kurihara and Dr. M. Watanabe of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences for providing various composts. REFERENCES 1) SnCKELBEROER, D., Survey of city refuse composting, Organic Materials as Fertilizers, Report of the FAO/SIDA Expert Consultation, Rome, pp ) YUMURA, Y., unpublished (1976) 3) HARADA, Y. and INoKo, A., Cation-exchange properties of soil organic matter. I. Effects of conditions for the measurement on cation-exchange capacity values of humic acid preparations, Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 21, (1975) 4) Japanese Industrial Standard, Methods of measurement for colour of materials based on the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric system, ns Z 8722, Japanese Standards Association, Tokyo, ) JUDD, D.B., Color in Business, Science, and Industry, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1952, pp ) Japanese Industrial Standard, Specification of colours according to their three attributes, ns Z 8721, Japanese Standards Association, Tokyo, ) KUMADA, K., Dojo Yukibutsu no Kagaku, Tokyo Univ. Press, Tokyo, pp (in Japanese)

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