COMPOSTING OF SEIZED CIGARETTE TOBACCO AND INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE SLUDGE WITH SAWDUST OR GARDEN PRUNING

Resumen

The composting of seized cigarette tobacco (SCT) and industrial sewage sludge (ISS) mixed with sawdust or garden pruning was evaluated using physical-chemical, phytotoxic and spectroscopic parameters. The temperatures reached peaks above 55ºC in the five windrows and were sufficient to achieve the stability of the compounds. The moisture content remained mostly in the range of 50 to 70% indicated for efficient microbial activity during the decomposition process. The pH remained between 7.0 and 9.0, considered ideal for the stability of microorganisms that act in the various stages of composting. The loss of organic matter indicated an increase in the mineralization of the compost. After 180 days, the seed germination index (SGI) was above than 50% in the five windrows. The E₂/E₄, E₄/E₆ (UV-Vis) and 1650/2930 cm^-1, 1650/2850 cm^-1 and 1650/1711 cm^-1 (FTIR) ratios indicated the degradation of lignin, formation of aliphatic structures, oxygenated groups and aromatic carbon at different stages of maturation of the compounds. The windrow composting process was efficient to degrade different proportions of SCT and ISS, resulting in matured compounds.