Application of gel permeation chromatography for determination of ripeness of compost

Abstract

The formula of composting municipal refuse and sewage sludge is given the attention of the public in recent years. However, the marker of determination of ripeness was yet unknown and determination was been based on experience. Author studied the change of water soluble substances in fermenting compost by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The results as follows. (1) The changes of substances in compost easily can be detected by GPC. (2) Changes of molecules from 10 to 5000 and from 5000 to 100000 reveal the processes of first and the second fermentation, respectively.