Spent coffee grounds, activated sludge, chicken manure, and agricultural waste-derived biochar were used to manufacture eco-friendly and functional compost via the bioaugmentation of white rot fungus and plant growth that promotes beneficial microorganisms. Six lab-scale composting reactors were established to perform composting. After composting was completed over 45 days, the composts were analyzed for major elements, physico-chemical characteristics, compost maturity, and compost effectiveness on crop growth and quality. Concentrations of T-N and PO4 3− significantly increased in the composts that had been amended with biochar and/or white rot fungus compared to the control, while those of NO3 −-N, TOC and TOC/T-N had significantly decreased, indicating the occurrence of effective composting. Besides, the germination indices of these composts were also generally higher than the control by 10-34%, indicating that the composts were mature. The four composts amended with biochar and/or white rot fungus (TR-3, TR- 4, TR-5, TR-6) also appeared to stimulate more growth in lettuce compared to commercial organic fertilizers (by 36- 104%). Besides, composts TR-3 and TR-4 respectively enhanced DPPH scavenging activity in lettuce leaves by 58% and 49%, while TR-4 and TR-5 respectively enhanced the total phenolic content (TPC) by 44% and 37%. This implies that the amendment of biochar and the bioaugmentation of white rot fungus could facilitate the composting process for the production of quality functional compost that is able to enhance the antioxidant content in crops. Quality composts could better compete with the commercially available fertilizers in the market, leading to the eco-friendly recycling of organic wastes such as spent coffee grounds, sludge, chicken manure, and agricultural waste.

Recycling of food wastes was tried based on fermenting and composting food wastes using a microbial consortium. Manufactured compost (using 11.3% food waste) turned out to be effective in increasing soil fertility and crop growth (radish; Raphanus sativus). More specifically, the treatment of the composted food wastes enabled a stimulated growth of radish leaves by 80% and an increased uptake of δ15NAIR by 250% compared with a commercial organic compost. Moreover, the compost derived from the wastes appeared to allow a sustainable management of nitrogen fertilizer compared with the chemical fertilizer, minimizing nitrogen pollution. The microbial community analysis showed significant difference in the microbial community pattern in soil treated with the composted food wastes relative to soil treated with a commercial organic fertilizer or a chemical fertilizer. The results may indicate that the wastes processed by the consortium could result in an efficient recycling of the nuisance materials such as food wastes and other organic solid wastes.

본 연구에서는 선박에서 발생하는 오․폐수의 처리를 위하여 SBR공정에 유효미생물을 주입하는 변법을 이용하여 Lab scale 실험을 수행하였다. 유해물질 유입에 따른 생물학적 처리 장치의 효율 저하 문제를 해결하기 위하여 SBR공정에 유효미생물을 주입하는 변법은 크루 즈선이라는 특수 환경과의 접목성과 생물학적 처리 시 야기될 수 있는 문제를 대비하기 위한 대안으로 선박환경에 매우 적합한 공정으로 평가 되었다. 슬러지 관찰 결과 기존의 활성슬러지에 유효미생물의 주입함으로써 슬러지의 안정성을 확보할 수 있었으며, 슬러지의 EPS 함량도 40% 이상 높아진 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 슬러지의 미생물 분석 결과 유효미생물 주입으로 인해 수처리에 유리한 미생물종이 다수 출현 하여 휘발성 유기화합물과 같은 유기 유해물질이 생분해되어 안전한 물질로 전환되는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며. 중금속과 같은 무기 유해물질 도 중금속의 종류와 유입농도에 영향을 받지 않고 70% 이상의 안정적인 처리 효율도 확보할 수 있는 것으로 확인되었다.

Lactobacillus sp., Acetobacter sp. and yeast were the most dominant organisms in the EM stock culture and subculture product. Lactic acid bacteria and yeast were able to grow in the fermentation process utilizing seawater. EM treatment of higher concentrations using EM stock culture and EM clay balls (1% or 4%) contributed to an early removal of malodor and an increase of DO in the polluted sediments, indicating an odor-removing activity of EM. The EM treatment of higher concentrations (1% or 4%) somewhat appeared to modify the microbial communities within the sediments, which was confirmed by existence of a few unique fragments from the stock culture based on PCR-DGGE. It still remains to be elucidated that EM cultures were directly involved in the malodor removal and potential sediment bioremediation.