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Effect of Ventilation Modes on Microplastic Flow During Perishable Waste Composting
Summary
Researchers investigated how four ventilation methods affect microplastic distribution during perishable waste composting, finding that composting reduced extractable MPs in the solid product by 73–84%, with most MPs migrating to leachate and composting time being the strongest influencing factor. This matters because MP migration into leachate means contaminated liquid can carry plastics into soils and waterways if not properly managed during this widely used organic waste treatment process.
Composting biodegradable waste is a vital means of recycling its valuable resources. However, the detection of new pollutants, such as microplastics (MPs), urgent attention. This study investigated the effects of four different ventilation methods on the distribution of microplastics in the composting process of perishable waste. The results showed that in the composting process of perishable waste, the quality of compost was different due to ventilation, and the content of extractable microplastics in compost products decreased by 72.85–83.89%, the main destination is leachate. The inhomogeneous distribution of microplastics between the solid and liquid phases, and into the liquid phase, has been attributed to differentiated oxygen and temperature levels within the composting reactor. Remarkably, composting time had the most significant effect on microplastics, the impact contribution is 29.24–39.49%. Reasonably regulate compost ventilation conditions can enhance quality control measures while minimizing the release of microplastics during composting. This study updated the understanding of secondary pollution in the composting process of perishable waste from the perspective of new pollutant microplastics, which can provide a basis for the formation of targeted controllable strategies in the later stage.