Organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW): extent of biodegradation

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) consists of several fractions which respond differently to biological degradation when they are discharged into the environment or in a landfill. This paper discusses the results of experiments and suggests the reasons why individual fractions are more or less biodegrad able.

Keywords

Biodegradability Sturm test organic fraction of municipal solid waste

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Boni, M. R., Misiti, A. & Rolle, E. (1993) Biodegradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes in a sanitary landfill. In: Proceedings of the IX International Conference on Solid Waste Management, Philadelphia PA, USA.

Eriksson, K. E., Kolar, M.C. , Ijungquist, P.O. & Kringstad, K.P. (1985) Studies on microbial and chemical conversion of chlorolignis. Environmental Science Technology 19, 1219-1224.

Fujo, Y. & Moo-Young, M. (1980) Isolation of cellulolytic fungi and some properties of isolated fungi for cellulose biodegradation. Journal GeneraL Applied Microbiology 26, 37-44.

Gramiccioni, L. & Musmeci, L. (1990) Biodegradation of polymeric materials: technical and analytical aspects. In: Proceedings of Symposium "Agrobiotecnologie e nuove produzioni chimiche da nsorse rinnovabili" (Argo-biotechnology and new chemical production by materials reuse, Lincei National Academy, Rome, Italy, Supplement to La Chimica e l'industria.

Jirillo, R. , Musmeci, L. & Mele, G. (1993) Indagine analitica sulla percentuale degradativa di matertali cartacei ed il poliaccopiato mediante metodiche di interramento (Study on paper materials landfilling), Nota I and Nota II. Rifiuti Solidi 3, 4.

Kavelman, R. & Kendrich, B. (1978) Degradation of a plastic poly-epsiloncaprolactone by hyphomycetes. Mycologia 70, 87-103.

Krupp, L.R. & Jewel, W.J. (1992) Biodegradability of modified plastic films in controlled biological environments. Environmental Science Technology 26, 193-198.

Liberti, R. , Bellino, M. , Musmeci, L. & Volterra, L. (1990) I problemi connessi con le plastiche biodegradabili (Problems about biodegradation of plastic materials. Plastica 4, 85.

Law No. 475 of 9/11/1988. Italian Official Journal No 264 of 10/11/1988.

10.

Musmeci, L. , Liberti, R. , Gucci, P.M.B. , Chirico, M. & Volterra, L. (1991) Determinazione della biodegradabilita' di prodotti insolubili (Evaluation of the insoluble substances biodegradation. Rifiuti Solidi 5, 139-144.

11.

Musmeci, L. , Volterra, L. , Gucci, P.M.B. , Semproni, M. & Coccia, A.M. (1993) Applicabilita'e limiti del metodo di Sturm modificato per valutare la biodegradabilita' di polimeri plastici (Applicability and limits of Modified Sturm Method to evaluate plastic polymers biodegradation . Ingegneria Ambientale 22 (1), 43-47.

12.

Sorlini, C. (1988) Persistenza e biodegradabilita' microbica della plastica (Plastic persistence and biodegrability. Rifiuti Solidi 2 (4), 327.

13.

Sturm, R.N. (1973) Biodegradability of non-ionic surfactants: screening test for predicting rate and ultimate biodegradation. Journal American Oil Chemical Society 50, 157-167.

14.

van Oeleven, D. , Bevers, J. & Verachter, H. (1975) Study of the influences of dyes on the biodegradation of coloured paper. Environmental Pollution 9, 193-210.

15.

Verachter, H. , Ramasamy, K. , Meyers, M. & Bevers, J. (1992) Investigations on cellulose biodegradation in activated sludge plants. Environmental Pollution 52, 185-190.