Elaboración y caracterización de compost obtenido a partir de los residuos sólidos orgánicos generados en la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH)

Abstract

This research was conducted in order to prepare and characterise compost coming from the organic solid waste generated at Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). In order to set the experimental pile, the initial materials were analysed and sampled (solid organic waste coming from the campus cafés and the lunch area located at ESPOCH, kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) and palm (phoenix canariensis)). To determine the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) relationship and make possible the composting process takes place in favourable conditions. The pile was formed with a proportion of organic solid waste, kikuyu, and ornamental palms of 5:2:2 (555.56 kg solid organic waste; kikuyu 222.22 kg and ornamental palm 222.22 kg) in weight. Every week, during the whole process, both, data from humidity and temperature were taken by turning the pile manually when the temperature was very high (70°C) or very low (reaching 25°C); in each turning movement, representative samples were taken for the respective physical-chemical analysis (pH, electrical conductivity), chemical (organic matter, nitrogen, humic substances, phosphorus and potassium) and biological (germination rate). These analyses were carried out at the laboratory of technical analysis of the faculty of Sciences from ESPOCH as well as the Agrocalidad laboratories belonging to Quito city. The final result coming from the final product was 409.5 kg of compost, corresponding to 49.95% yield of the process also, the most important parameters were: C/N (12.51), organic matter (40.99%) and germination rate (92.41%). It was concluded that all parameters are into the values reported in the literature inherent and the compost gathered has a good quality to be marketed and used for agricultural purposes. It is recommended that the Maintenance and Physical Development Direction from ESPOCH, monitor this research by focusing mainly on the proper management of solid waste.