Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 Ž2000.

149–159
www.elsevier.nlrlocaterjhazmat

Compost produced from organic fraction of

municipal solid waste, primary stabilized sewage
sludge and natural zeolite
Antonis A. Zorpas a,b,) , Evagelos Kapetanios c ,
Giovanis A. Zorpas a,b, Panagiotis Karlis c ,
Apostolos Vlyssides c , Ioanna Haralambous c ,
Maria Loizidou c
a
Farantaton 41, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece (winter)
b
GriÕa Digeni 35, Paralimni, Cyprus (summer)
c
National Technical UniÕersity of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., Zographou 15700, Greece

Received 20 July 1999; received in revised form 21 March 2000; accepted 22 March 2000

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present the physicochemical characteristics of the compost produced
from dewatered anaerobically stabilized primary sewage sludge ŽDASPSS., organic fraction of
municipal solid waste ŽOFMSW. and the metal uptaken by zeolite Žclinoptilolite.. The final results
indicated that the composted material produced from clinoptilolite 20% wrw and 80% wrw
DASPSS and OFMSW Ž60% and 40%, respectively. provided better soil conditioning compared
to the compost produced from DASPSS. The co-composting products had a higher concentration
of total humic and organic matter ŽO.M.. than the sewage sludge compost. Also, the heavy metals
concentration in the final products was in lower concentration than in the sewage sludge compost.
The zeolite appeared to uptake a significant Ž p - 0.05. amount of metals. Specifically, the use of
20–25% wrw of clinoptilolite appears to uptake 100% of Cd, 10–15% of Cr, 28–45% of Cu,
41–47% of Fe, Mn 9–24% of Mn, 50–55% of Ni and Pb, and 40–46% of Zn. Although by the
application of the composting process, the reduction in dry mass is between 30% and 40% for all
samples. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Zeolite; Sludge composting; Compost characteristics; Metals uptake

)
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: antoniszorpas@iname.com ŽA.A. Zorpas..

0304-3894r00r$ - see front matter q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 3 0 4 - 3 8 9 4 Ž 0 0 . 0 0 2 3 3 - 8
150 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159

1. Introduction

The mineralization of biogenic substances is a part of the natural recycling processes,

which occurs at any place where organic material is synthesized by plants and degraded
by animals and microflora. Environmental problems associated with sewage sludge
disposal have prompted legislative actions. At the same time, the upgrading and
expansion of wastewater treatment plants have greatly increased the volume of sludge
generated.
In the greater region of Athens, with almost 4,500,000 inhabitants, the main
wastewater treatment plant operating is at the rock-island of Psittalia. At Psittalia,
approximately 750,000 m3rday consisting mainly of municipal wastewater and some
industrial wastes, are subjected to primary treatment, producing approximately 250
trday of dewatered anaerobically stabilized primary sewage sludge ŽDASPSS. w1x. Until
now, landfilling was the main disposal route for sewage sludge in Athens, generating
potential environmental hazards, which included the production of odour, methane gas,
and leachates w2x. Simultaneously, every citizen produces approximately 1.125 kgrday
municipal solid waste Žapproximately 5000 trday., of which 65% of the waste is
organics w2x.
Composting is coming increasingly under consideration in many municipalities
throughout the world because it has several advantages over current disposal strategies.
Firstly, composting can reduce the waste volume by 40–50% and thus require less
landfill space for disposal w3x. Secondly, pathogens can be killed by the heat generated
during the thermophilic phase w3–5x. Finally, composting has been well established and
it is currently used to provide a final product, which can act as a soil conditioner or
fertilizer. Compost contains major plant nutrients such as N, P and K, micro nutrients
such as Cu, Fe and Zn and humic substances which improve the physical properties of
soils such as aeration and saturation capacity w3,6x. The heavy metal content of
wastewater treatment sludge limits the possibilities for using and even disposing this
waste. Application to soils for increasing their organic matter ŽO.M.. is restricted by
metal content because it may indirectly be incorporated into the food chain or trans-
ported to aquifers. Natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, has the ability to uptake heavy metals.
Zeolites have become known worldwide in the last decade because of their cation
exchange and molecular sieving properties. Natural zeolites are used in soil benefication,
water treatment, and wastewater treatment w7–9x.
The aim of this work is to present the characteristics of compost, produced from
DASPSS and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste ŽOFMSW. and to present the
results of the application of clinoptilolite in the composting process as a bulking agent in
order to take up the heavy metals.

2. Materials and methods

The DASPSS samples were collected from the Psittalia wastewater treatment plant.
The samples were dried, homogenized and stored. The OFMSW were collected from
Ano Liosia landfill area.
 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159 151

Table 1
Prepared samples for composting
S0: 100% DASPSS
S1: 100% OFMSW
S2: 5% clinoptiloliteq95% Ž10% OFMSWq90% DASPSS.
S3: 10% clinoptiloliteq90% Ž20% OFMSWq80% DASPSS.
S4: 15% clinoptiloliteq85% Ž30% OFMSWq70% DASPSS.
S5: 20% clinoptiloliteq80% Ž40% OFMSWq60% DASPSS.
S6: 25% clinoptiloliteq75% Ž50% OFMSWq50% DASPSS.

The samples were dried at room temperature and used to determine the pH,
conductivity, total organic carbon ŽTOC., O.M., total phosphorus ŽTP., total Kjeldahl
nitrogen, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, chloride, boron, humic substances, lignin, cellulose,
CrN ratio, CrP ratio, E4rE6 ratio Žthe E4rE6 ratio shows the characterization of the
humic materials at 415 and 665 nm. and heavy metals content ŽCd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni,
Zn, and Pb..
The composting process was carried out in the laboratory with an In-Vessel reactor Ž1
m3 of active volume. w10x. The thermophilic phase of composting lasted for 15 days.
The temperature was approximately 60–658C at the center of the reactor and the
moisture ranged between 40% and 50%. After the thermophilic period, the organic
material was biodegraded and the compost was piled in an enclosed package where it
remained for 4 months to mature. Table 1 presents a summary of the compost samples
used in this study.
For the determination of pH values, conductivity, chloride, boron, TOC, OM, TP,
TKN, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrate content, standard methods of analysis were used
w11,12x. For the total metal concentration, a known quantity Ž1 g. of sample was digested
with 10 ml of concentrated HNO 3 as described by Zorpas et al w1x. After the digestion,
the samples were vacuum filtered and the filtrate was used to determine the heavy metal
concentration by atomic absorption spectroscopy Ža Perkin Elmer 2380 spectrophotom-
eter was used.. Humic substances were extracted using NaOH 0.1 N for 24 h according
to Schintzer w13x; the lignin and cellulose content was determined by digestion with 72%

Table 2
Natural clinoptilolite chemical analysis
Components molrkg CI
SiO 2 11.51 1.12
Al 2 O 3 1.12 0.02
Fe 2 O 3 0.02 0.001
Na 2 O 0.80 0.15
H 2O 4.95 0.50
K 2O 0.28 0.03
CaO 0.35 0.04
152 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159

sulfuric acid as described by Zorpas et al. w1x. The E4rE6 ratio was determined at 415
and 665 nm after 1 h extraction with NaHCO 3 0.1 N, using a Hitachi U-2000
photometer w13x. The E4rE6 ratio shows the characterization of humic materials. If the
E4rE6 ratio is below 5, the samples are characterized as humic acid Žwhereas if the
ratio is above 5, the sample is characterized as fulvic acid. w1,13x.
The natural zeolite Žclinoptilolite. was collected from the Evros region in northern
Greece. Its chemical composition w14x is given in Table 2. The analysis determines the
ion-exchange capacity, which was 1.70 meqrg.
For the statistical analysis, Taylor’s statistical techniques were used w15x.
The characterization of all the compost samples was done when the zeolite was
removed from the final products using sieves.

3. Results and discussion

The physico-chemical characteristics of DASPSS samples and OFMSW are presented

in Table 3. As can be seen in Table 3, sewage sludge contained lower concentrations of
O.M. and organic carbon Ž45.10% and 26.10%, respectively., compared to the OFMSW

Table 3
Physico–chemical characteristics of sewage sludge and organic fraction of municipal solid waste
Parameters Mean value of 20 samples
DASPSS SD CI OFMSW SD CI
Moisture, % 70.50 2.50 1.09 45.20 2.50 1.09
PH 7.05 0.06 0.02 8.00 0.06 0.02
Volatile solid, % 72.95 2.50 1.75 59.50 2.50 1.25
Ash, % 27.05 1.25 0.54 40.50 2.25 0.98
Conductivity, ŽmSrcm. 1.005 0.007 0.003 1.101 0.007 0.003
O.M., % VS 45.10 1.50 0.65 70.50 3.62 1.58
TOC, % 26.10 0.80 0.35 36.50 1.80 0.78
TKN, % 1.90 0.35 0.15 1.80 0.35 0.15
Cly, a – 4.75 0.42 0.18
B, a – 5.25 0.33 0.14
N–NH 3 =10y1 , a 9.57 0.65 0.28 19.73 1.05 0.46
N–NO 3 =10y1 , a 2.53 0.23 0.10 0.45 0.05 0.03
N–NO 2 =10y6 , a 258 34 14.9 2160 134 58.7
P–PO4 , % 2.45 0.07 0.03 2.60 0.07 0.03
Humic substances, a 21.85 1.05 0.43 115.4 4.50 1.19
E4rE6 1.25 0.03 0.01 1.38 0.03 0.01
Lignin, a 3.25 0.82 0.35 13.50 0.85 0.36
Cellulose, a 10.21 1.07 0.46 42.05 2.12 0.92
CrN 13.73 0.80 0.35 22.02 0.80 0.35
CrP 10.65 0.80 0.35 15.38 0.80 0.35

a: grkg dry samples.

–: not detected ŽVSqAshs100%..
 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159
Table 4
Cured compost characteristics
S0 CI S1 CI S2 CI S3 CI S4 CI S5 CI S6 CI
Moisture, % 27.20 1.24 30.05 1.32 32.10 1.30 29.50 1.07 28.75 1.42 29.65 1.17 31.50 1.20
Dry mass reduction, % 28.88 1.25 40.42 1.50 24.89 1.35 29.31 1.50 32.36 1.50 36.72 1.65 34.79 1.50
pH 7.01 0.02 7.16 0.02 7.48 0.02 7.16 0.02 7.56 0.02 7.09 0.02 7.25 0.02
Conductivity, mSrcm 1.001 0.002 1.250 0.005 1.128 0.005 1.002 0.002 1.258 0.005 1.345 0.015 1.450 0.009
O.M., % 32.81 1.50 42.00 1.50 36.23 1.50 35.34 1.50 36.14 1.50 35.29 1.50 38.23 1.50
TOC, % 19.03 1.05 23.05 1.05 21.01 1.10 20.49 1.10 20.96 1.05 20.46 1.05 22.17 1.10
TKN, % 1.65 0.05 1.75 0.05 1.61 0.05 1.85 0.05 1.66 0.05 1.62 0.05 1.89 0.05
P–PO4 , % 2.45 0.05 2.50 0.05 2.48 0.05 2.54 0.05 2.35 0.05 2.50 0.05 2.35 0.05
N–NH 3 , a 0.735 0.055 0.563 0.042 0.011 0.003 0.107 0.07 0.180 0.012 0.090 0.07 0.080 0.005
N–NO 3 , a 0.253 0.015 0.262 0.015 0.253 0.020 0.269 0.020 0.275 0.015 0.260 0.015 0.259 0.015
N–NO 2 =10y4 , a 258 35 260 25 245 20 269 20 270 25 271 18 265 15
CrN 11.53 0.38 13.17 0.27 13.04 0.25 11.07 0.34 12.93 0.45 12.62 0.47 11.73 0.29

a: grkg dry samples.

Results are on a zeolite free basis.

153
154 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159

Ž70.5% O.M. and 36.5% TOC.. The pH values of DASPSS samples were approximately
7 and for the OFMSW approximately 8. The TP content was found in high levels due to
the fact that the main load of the treated wastes was municipal. The total humics were
found in lower levels Ž21.85 grkg. in the DASPSS compared to the OFMSW Ž130.5
grkg.. The E4rE6 ratio shows the characterization of humic materials. As the E4rE6
ratio is below 5, the samples are characterized as humic acid Žif the ratio is above 5, the
sample is characterized as fulvic acid. w1,13x. The DASPSS contained high amounts of
organic constituents. However, if the sludge is used in the production of compost, the
organic content would be too low. The DASPSS solid wastes are amenable for
composting treatment due to the low CrN ratio. It is reported w5,6,8,10x that the
optimum CrN ratio for the beginning of the composting process is 30:1. For that reason,
it is necessary to proceed for co-composting with the OFMSW which contains higher
amount of O.M., humic substances, CrN ratio, lignin, and cellulose than the DASPSS.
The concentration of the lignin and cellulose in the OFMSW appears to be low due to
the absence of the waste paper during the initial selection.
Table 4 shows the characterization of the final product after 150 days of maturity. It
was observed that when the amount of zeolite was increased the concentration of
ammonia decreased. Although, the amount of OFMSW in the initial mixture was
increased, the O.M. in the final product was also increased. The use of zeolite as a
bulking material has the ability to increase the porosity of the substrate and improve the
composting process and the biodegradability of the O.M. It can also be observed that the
moisture content in samples containing clinoptilolite was higher than that of the S0
sample in which no clinoptilolite was added. For the characterization of all the compost
samples, zeolites had been removed from the final products, using sieves.
Table 5 shows the concentration of the humic substances after 150 days of maturity.
The sewage sludge contained low concentrations of humic substances. The OFMSW, as
it is observed in Table 3, contains higher concentrations of humic, lignin, and cellulose
than the sewage sludge. At this point, it is important to know that most of the paper was
removed during the initial selection of the biodegradable matter from the municipal
waste. However, the co-composting of the DASPSS and OFMSW increases the total
amount of the humic substances in the final product.
Table 6 presents the metal content found in DASPSS, OFMSW, and in the final
products. When comparing the metal content of the first sample ŽS0., sewage sludge
compost and DASPSS sample, it can be observed that the concentration of chromium,

Table 5
Humic substances in the final product
S0 CI S1 CI S2 CI S3 CI S4 CI S5 CI S6 CI
Total humics, grkg 50.9 5.2 270.4 14.7 62.3 7.6 84.7 7.5 87.6 5.3 109.2 12.2 180.1 18.1
E4rE6 1.81 0.02 1.92 0.02 1.75 0.02 1.80 0.02 1.81 0.02 1.79 0.02 1.85 0.02
Lignin, grkg 2.87 0.05 11.34 0.35 3.78 0.41 4.62 0.35 5.46 0.50 6.31 0.47 7.04 0.51
Cellulose, grkg 3.61 0.50 11.12 0.62 3.31 0.34 3.91 0.52 6.14 0.67 6.95 0.47 7.34 0.59

Results are on a zeolite free basis.

 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159
Table 6
Metals concentration in the raw materials and in the final products
grkg DASPSS CI OFMSW CI S0 CI S1 CI S2 CI S3 CI S4 CI S5 CI S6 CI
Cd 0.002 0.0002 – 0.002 0.0002 – – – – – –
Cu 0.258 0.021 0.130 0.022 0.205 0.021 0.128 0.022 0.238 0.021 0.225 0.021 0.212 0.019 0.201 0.018 0.199 0.022
Cr 0.552 0.053 0.118 0.017 0.578 0.053 0.120 0.017 0.561 0.053 0.530 0.053 0.527 0.053 0.508 0.022 0.499 0.017
Fe 5.098 0.101 4.201 0.085 4.118 0.101 4.001 0.085 5.741 0.101 5.547 0.101 5.201 0.101 5.001 0.115 4.099 0.101
Mn 0.150 0.005 0.106 0.010 0.168 0.005 0.110 0.010 0.148 0.005 0.148 0.007 0.140 0.006 0.132 0.010 0.125 0.010
Ni 0.041 0.005 0.012 0.002 0.045 0.005 0.012 0.002 0.040 0.005 0.037 0.005 0.035 0.005 0.033 0.002 0.030 0.002
Pb 0.326 0.011 0.113 0.009 0.335 0.011 0.114 0.009 0.298 0.012 0.286 0.011 0.263 0.011 0.235 0.014 0.220 0.012
Zn 1.739 0.081 0.263 0.012 1.801 0.081 0.264 0.012 1.405 0.081 1.129 0.085 0.952 0.078 0.926 0.050 0.784 0.042
Na 0.724 0.055 0.801 0.045 0.701 0.055 0.783 0.045 0.796 0.085 0.865 0.065 0.901 0.070 1.011 0.082 1.121 0.095
K 0.723 0.055 0.749 0.052 0.772 0.055 0.772 0.052 0.902 0.058 0.965 0.075 1.121 0.075 1.215 0.095 1.235 0.095

All metals in grkg dry samples.

–: not detected. Results are on a zeolite free basis.

155
156 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159

Fig. 1. pH during the composting.

nickel, manganese, lead, and zinc appeared to increase while the concentration of copper
and iron decreased. Composting may concentrate ŽCr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn. or dilute ŽCu, Fe.
heavy metals presented in sewage sludge. The change in metal concentration depends on
the metal loss through leaching and on the overall concentration of metals due to O.M.
destruction w17x.
It is observed in Table 6 that natural zeolite has the ability to exchange sodium and
potassium. It is also seen that increasing the amount of zeolite, the concentration of all
heavy metals in the compost samples decreased and the concentration of sodium and
potassium increased. It is seen that in samples S5 and S6 containing 20–25% clinoptilo-
lite, during the composting process maximum metal uptake was observed for Cd
Ž100%., Cr Ž10–15%., Cu Ž28–45%., Fe Ž41–47%., Mn Ž9–24%., Ni and Pb Ž50–55%.,
and Zn Ž40–46%..
Comparing the results given in Table 6, with other studies previously carried out
w18,19x, it was observed that all the metals appear to be in lower concentrations.
Fig. 1 shows the pH during the composting process. pH is a parameter which greatly
affects the composting process. The optimum pH values are in range 6–7.5 for bacterial

Fig. 2. TKN during composting.

 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159 157

Fig. 3. Ammonia content during composting.

development, while fungi prefer an environment in the range of 5.5–8.0. The pH is

initially low, due to the acid formation, then increases and in the final stage of the
composting process remains constant.
Figs. 2 and 3 show the total nitrogen and ammonia content, respectively, during the
composting process. The total nitrogen is affected by the action of proteolytic bacteria
and temperature. At high temperatures, nitrogen is lost in the atmosphere w16x. It is
obvious from Fig. 2 that the total nitrogen seems to increase during the first 10 days.
This is caused by the decrease in the substrate carbon resulting from CO 2 loss. At the
final stage when the compost was matured, the total nitrogen was 1.65% for S0, 1.75%
for S1, 1.61% for S2, 1.85% for S3, 1.66% for S4, 1.62% for S5, and 1.89% for S6. In
Fig. 3, it is observed that the S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 samples, which include the zeolite,
are shown to have a more stable direction during the increase and decrease of ammonia
than the S0 and S1 samples which do not include zeolite. This is due to the fact that the
zeolite as a bulking agent has the ability to increase the free air space and the porosity in
the samples w20x.
The compost quality for agricultural use depends on its inorganic nitrogen content.
This should not exceed 10% of the total nitrogen and the ammonia content should be

Fig. 4. O.M. during composting.

158 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159

less than 0.04% of the dry matter w16x. As the total final concentrations do not exceed
the above limits, the compost produced can be used for soil conditioning.
Fig. 4 shows the changes in the O.M. during the composting process for all the
compost samples. At the final stage, the O.M. was greater in sample S1 and in the
co-composting product S6 followed by S5, S4, S3 and S2. It is obvious that as the
amount of organic fraction of municipal waste increases in the initial mixture, the O.M.
in the co-composting products seems to be at higher levels. The final CrN ratios after
the 150 days were 11.53 for S0, 13.17 for S1, 13.04 for S2, 11.07 for S3, 12.93 for S4,
12.62 for S5, and 11.73 for S6. The CrN ratio for this stabilized compost is considered
to be very satisfactory for its agricultural use.

4. Conclusions

It can be concluded that the sewage sludge contained low concentration of humic
substances. The OFMSW contained higher concentration of humics, lignin, and cellulose
than sewage sludge. The co-composting of the DASPSS and OFMSW increased the total
amount of the humic substances in the final product. The compost quality with respect to
agricultural use depends on its inorganic nitrogen content. This should not exceed 10%
of the total nitrogen and ammonia content should be less than 0.04% of the dry matter.
The CrN ratio for this stabilized compost is acceptable for use in agriculture. The final
product contained low concentrations of heavy metals. As the amount of the added
natural zeolite Žclinoptilolite. increased, the concentration of heavy metals in the final
compost decreased. It was found that when using 20–25% of clinoptilolite during the
composting process, 28–45% of Cu, 10–15% of Cr, 41–47% of Fe, 100% of Cd,
9–24% of Mn, 50–55% of Ni and Pb, and 40–46% of Zn, can be taken up by the
zeolite.
It is also observed Žin Table 3. that most of the final parameters such as moisture, pH,
O.M., and TP, appear to be similar and this is because the same final chemical
composition was reached. Readily degradable materials decompose first are followed by
the least degradable regardless of their initial concentration in the mixtures. According
to the figures, all parameters reached relatively constant values after 80 days Žapproxi-
mately.. This consistency indicates the maturity of the final products. S5 and S6 samples
which contained 40% and 50% of OFMSW and 20–25% of clinoptilolite seem to
mature faster than the others and especially the S0 sample due to the fact that the
OFMSW has the ability as a bulking agent to increase the porosity. This is the result of
the faster decomposition. Although by the application of the composting process the
reduction in dry mass are 29% for S0, 40% for S1, 25% for S2, 29% for S3, 32% for S4,
36% for S5, and 35% for S6.

References
w1x A.A. Zorpas, A.G. Vlyssides, M. Loizidou, Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 7 Ž1998. 383–508.
w2x A.A. Zorpas, E. Kapetanios, A.G. Vlyssides, M. Loizidou, Technical Report in Communitie and
Municipality in Attica Region, 1997.
 A.A. Zorpas et al.r Journal of Hazardous Materials B77 (2000) 149–159 159

w3x J.W.C. Wong, S.W.Y. Li, M.H. Wong, Environmental Technology 16 Ž1995. 527–537.
w4x M. Furhacker, R. Haberl, Water Science and Technology 32 Ž11. Ž1995. 121–125.
w5x M.S. Finstein, J. Cirello, D.G. Suler, M.L. Morris, P.F. Strom, Journal of Water Pollution Control
Federation 52 Ž11. Ž1980. 2675–2685.
w6x E. Epstein, The Science of Composting, Technomic Publishing, Pennsylvania, USA, 1997, pp. 137–170.
w7x C. Constantopoulou, M. Loizidou, Z. Loizou, N. Spyrellis, Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear
Chemistry 178 Ž1. Ž1994. 143–151.
w8x E. Kapetanios, M. Loizidou, ACTA Horticultural, International Society for Horticultural Science 302
Ž1992. 63–74.
w9x M. Loizidou, Heavy Metals in the effluents of the metal plating industries and their removal by zeolites,
Heavy Metals in the Environment, 7th International Conference, Geneva, 1989.
w10x M.S. Finstein, F.C. Miller, S.T. MacGregor, K.M. Psarianos, ACTA Horticultural, International Society
for Horticultural Science 302 Ž1992. 75–86.
w11x American Public Health Association ŽAPHA., Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater, APHA, Washington DC, 1989, pp. 479–480.
w12x A. Dean, V. Water and Wastewater Examination Manual, Lewis Publishers, Michigan, USA, 1990, pp.
45–47, 121–139, 186–188.
w13x M. Schnitzer, Methods of Soil Analysis, 9th edn.,1982, Part 2, Madison, USA.
w14x D. Maliou. Heavy metal removal from waste waters solution using natural zeolite. PhD Thesis, National
Technical University of Athens. Athens, Greece. 1994.
w15x J.K. Taylor, Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis, Lewis Publishers, FL, USA, 1990, pp. 42–45,
66–68.
w16x F. Zucconi, D. Bbetroldi, International Sym. On Compost Production Quality and Use Ž1988. .
w17x D.J. Wagner, G.D. Bacon, W.R. Knocke, M.S. Switzenbaum, Environmental Technology 11 Ž1990.
949–960.
w18x K. Krabe, Definition of compost-quality. A need of environment prodection, commision of the European
communities, Compost Processes In Waste Management Ž1988. 91–124.
w19x M. Lineres, M. Petruzzelli, Some environmental problems connected with the use of town refuse
compost, commision of the European communities, Compost Processes in Waste Management Ž1988.
125–136.