Optimizing green coconut shell composting: a sustainable approach to waste management and nutrient recovery
摘要
Improper disposal of coconut water extraction residues, such as green coconut shells, poses environmental risks. This study evaluated different composting formulations as a sustainable management approach for these residues. The experiment was conducted at Fazenda Reunidas Socôco® in Santa Izabel do Pará, Amazon region, Brazil, using a randomized block design with five treatments (T1: Crushed Coconut Shells (CCS); T2: CCS + 3% Poultry Litter (PL); T3: CCS+Inoculant (IN); T4: CCS + 3% PL + IN; T5: CCS + 5% PL) and being analyzed at six composting times (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 days), with four replicates. Laboratory analysis showed reductions in the Carbon/Nitrogen ratio (C/N), total organic carbon (TOC), and organic matter, alongside increases in N, P, Fe, Al, and ash content for all treatments. Treatments T2, T4, and T5 achieved optimal C/N ratios within 36 days, with higher nutrient values. Principal Component Analysis indicated that C/N reduction was linked to mineralization processes. These findings demonstrate that adding poultry litter to coconut shell composting accelerates C/N reduction, cutting down composting time and associated costs.