Reaction of Microorganisms to Long-Term Waste Reclamation of Soil Degraded by the Sulfur Mining Industry

The research was carried out to assess soil condition many years after waste introduction for reclamation purposes. The parameters of the activity of soil microorganisms responsible for the revitalization processes in degraded soils were used in the research. Soil material was derived from the area of the former sulfur mine. The results showed that even a single waste introduction to degraded soil caused long-lasting effects in the activity of soil microorganisms. The most favorable changes were caused by the addition of sewage sludge and the use of mineral wool in the form of a pad. The application of lime alone turned out to be the least beneficial for the revitalization processes, i.e., restoring the homeostasis of biological life in degraded soil. This research is a continuation of study that concerned the initial recultivation period. The obtained research results show the need for monitoring soils reclaimed with waste, not only in the initial period but also in the following years. These results allow evaluation of the usefulness of the parameters of soil microbial activity in monitoring soil environments subjected to strong human pressure. The results can be used to assess the risks associated with the introduction of waste into the environment.

Medical and healthcare waste generation, storage, treatment and disposal: A systematic review of risks to occupational and public health

Systems to safely store, handle, treat and dispose of medical (healthcare) waste are well developed in the 21st century. Yet across many parts of the Global South (low- and middle-income countries) such systems, resources and know-how are lacking; to the extent that medical waste could be posing a serious threat to the health, safety and lives of millions of healthcare workers and waste handlers who regularly interact with this material. We present here a novel scope and dimension to investigating the risks and hazards to people who come into contact with medical waste, focusing on activity types and established medical practice. Based on a systematic review of the evidence (PRISMA approach, adapted), we critically analyzed and comparatively summarized data, and identified prevalent combinations of hazards, exposure and risk with a global scope. Subsequently, we assigned indicative comparative risk scores for such combinations. Our critical analysis unveils extensive mismanagement of medical waste globally, including the co-disposal with municipal solid waste (MSW), burning in open pits, and dumping even on public streets. Alarmingly, a small but non-negligible trade in reused medical equipment is proliferated by a cohort of waste reclamation specialists (sub-group of waste pickers): they collect hypodermic needles, and other single use medial items for resale to substance abusers and back into the healthcare system. We also highlight the dilemma faced by medical waste handlers in many parts of the world where a difficult choice is made between creating hazardous emissions from burning waste in the open or discarding it on land (e.g. in dumpsites) from where it risks accidentally infecting people with pathogens.

Study on the biogas potential of anaerobic digestion of coffee husks wastes in Ethiopia

The poorly controlled discharge of coffee husks in Ethiopia causes severe environmental pollution and is a waste of resources. The volatile solid and carbon content in coffee husks waste indicates that it is rich in organic matter and has huge potential to produce biogas. This study investigated the feasibility of coffee husks to produce biomass through anaerobic digestion, based on temperature, initial pH, inoculum/substrate (I/S) ratio and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. The study demonstrated that the maximum production of biogas and methane reached 3359.6 ml and 2127.30 ml, respectively, under the conditions of mesophilic temperature (35±1°C), an initial pH of 7, an I/S ratio of 0.75 and a C/N ratio of 30. Based on this result, the effects of trace elements (Fe2+, Ni2+, Co2+) on biogas production and methane content were also explored. Compared with the group with no addition of trace elements, the experiment adding trace elements had significant enhancement effects on the production of biogas and methane, in which Fe2+ played a leading role ( p<0.05). Fe2+ promoted the hydrolysis and acidification of coffee husks, resulting in the production of a series of intermediates such as volatile fatty acids and the other kinds of dissolved organic matter. Furthermore, the cooperation of Ni2+, Co2+ and Fe2+ enhanced the activity of the enzyme system in methanogens, promoting methane production. The results in this paper show that coffee husks have clear biogas potential through anaerobic digestion, and its effective utilization could fulfill the dual purpose of solid waste reclamation and local environmental protection in Ethiopia.

Produksi Kompos Untuk Mendukung Keberhasilan Reklamasi Lahan Tailing Bekas Tambang Emas Rakyat

ABSTRAK Tailing bekas tambang emas rakyat di Kecamatan Menjalin Kabupaten Landak Kalimantan Barat merupakan lahan marginal yang didominasi oleh pasir, sehingga menjadi kendala untuk revegetasi. Revegetasi merupakan salah satu bagian penting dalam proses reklamasi lahan bekas tambang. Guna menjamin keberhasilan revegetasi, maka perbaikan fisik-kimia tailing sangat diperlukan dan penambahan bahan organik menjadi jalan keluarnya. Oleh karena itu, tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah pemberdayaan masyarakat Menjalin untuk memproduksi kompos, sehingga bahan organik berupa kompos tersedia secara cukup bahkan berlimpah guna mendukung kegiatan reklamasi tailing bekas tambang emas rakyat. Kegiatan KKN PPM menjadi jalan untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut, dan metode yang digunakan adalah partisipatif. Didalam kegiatan ini mahasiswa dilibatkan sebagai mentor yang mendampingi masyarakat selama sebulan penuh di lapangan. Peserta kegiatan adalah masyarakat petani dan karang taruna. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan masyarakat sangat antusias dalam mengikuti kegiatan ini. Hal ini terbukti dari partisipasi masyarakat yang sesuai target yaitu minimal 30 orang per lokasi kegiatan. Masyarakat selalu aktif di setiap tahap kegiatan pembuatan kompos berbahan dasar sampah organik mulai dari persiapan bahan, pembuatan starter mikroorganisme dekomposer, pembuatan bibit kompos, proses pengomposan sampai pengemasan kompos yang sudah jadi. Di akhir kegiatan ketrampilan masyarakat meningkat dan dihasilkan kompos yang dapat digunakan langsung untuk kegiatan revegetasi lahan tailing bekas tambang emas rakyat di sekitar masyarakat. Kata kunci: Kompos Berbahan Dasar Sampah Organik, Reklamasi, Tailing Bekas Tambang Emas. ABSTRACT Tailings ex community gold mine in sub-district of Menjalin district of Landak West Kalimantan is very marginal that dominated by sand, thus becoming an obstacle to revegetation. Revegetation is an important part of the mine reclamation process. In order to ensure the success of revegetation, the physical-chemical repairs of tailings are necessary and the addition of organic matter becomes the solution. Therefore, the objective of this activity was to empower the people of Menjalin to produce compost, so that the organic material in the form of compost was available sufficiently and abundantly to support the reclamation of tailings ex community gold mine. The activity of KKN PPM became a way to achieve that goal, with the method was participatory. In this activity students involved as mentors who accompany the community for a full month in the field. Participants were farmers and youth communities. The results showed that the community was very enthusiastic in following this activity. This is evident from the community participation that targeted of at least 30 people per location of activities. The community is always active at every stage of activity of composting made from organic waste, starting from material preparation, making of starter microorganism as decomposers, making of starter of compost, composting process until packaging of compost. Through this activity the skills of the community are increased and compost is produced which can be used directly for the revegetation of tailing ex community gold mine around these communities. Keywords: Compost Made From Organic Waste, Reclamation, Tailings Ex Gold Mine.