Composting physics: A science behind bio-degradation of lignocellulose aquatic waste amended with inoculum and bulking agent.

The composting is a proven technology to manage various organic wastes and reduces organic matter, heavy metals and harmful pathogens. The current research work provides the insight on the physics involved in composting of lignocellulose aquatic waste amended with inoculum and the bulking agent that plays a crucial role in handling, management, and utilization of waste product to an application of an end product in agriculture production. The physical parameters (temperature, bulk density, porosity, free air space, and particle density) during composting of E Crassipes, inoculum and bulking agent (in the ratio 6:3:1) were evaluated. The study indicated an advanced thermophilic temperature (52.3 °C) with 24% reduction in moisture content. As a result of volume reduction, the bulk density was found to be increasing whereas free airspace observed as 59% at the end of the composting process. The various physical parameters also exhibited the strong relationship to each other, which was derived using statistical analysis. The free air space correlated positively with bulk density and volatile solids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]