CHANGES IN ORGANIC-MATTER DURING STABILIZATION OF COMPOST FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID-WASTES

Stabilization of the organic matter contained in two static piles of compost derived from municipal solid wastes was followed for 55 days during both winter and summer. The degree of humification, i.e. the ratio between the humified fractions and total extractable carbon, increased steadily in compost stabilized during winter, while the transformation was less obvious during summer composting. Electrofocusing analyses of the organic extracts from both winter and summer piles of compost from municipal solid wastes showed a definite trend in the humification processes, not only during winter but also during summer composting.