A Comparative Study of Compost and it's Raw Material Olive Mill Solid Waste

Abstract

Abstract: Olive oil processing mills produces huge amount of waste like olive mill solid waste (OMSW) and olive mill waste water (OMWW). The aim of the study is to manage and recycle the olive mill solid waste. For management, we need to analyze them. In this research paper, we analyzed OMSW and compost. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductance, Total organic carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, phosphorous and micronutrients were determined in OMSW and compost. OMSW analysis showed that it has slightly acidic pH 6.4. It is a nutrient rich compound like potassium 3.3 g/kg, total organic carbon 50.3 %, iron 112 mg/kg, zinc 7.8 mg/kg. It contains high amount of organic carbon which can be toxic for plants. We recycled OMSW through composting. The resultant compost has slightly alkaline pH 7.3, rich in organic carbon 40%, macronutrients Nitrogen 2.1 %, Potassium 8.5 g/kg and micronutrients Iron, Copper, Zinc and Manganese. C/N ratio of compost was 19.0. The comparative study demonstrated that the mature compost has significant reduction in organic pollutants and increases level of nutrients availability.