This informal paper argues that composting should be a more widespread practice, especially in developing countries. It reviews past composting experiences and provides an outline for municipal managers to use when evaluating composting programs within an integrated municipal waste management system.
HOORNWEG, D. THOMAS, L. OTTEN, L. (2000): Composting and Its Applicability in Developing Countries. (= Urban Waste Management Working Paper Series , 8 ). Washington, D.C.: The World Bank URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]Library
The aim of this publication is to present and discuss the design drawings, from which a struvite precipitation reactor can be built. In addition, a breakdown of the building costs and some suggestions for improvements are presented.
ZANDEE, M. ETTER, B. (2011): Low-cost Struvite Reactor - Construction Manual. Duebendorf: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG) URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]Volume II of the Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater provides information on the assessment and management of risks associated with microbial hazards and toxic chemicals. It explains requirements to promote the safe use of wastewater in agriculture, including minimum procedures and specific health-based targets, and how those requirements are intended to be used. It also describes the approaches used in deriving the guidelines, including health-based targets, and includes a substantive revision of approaches to ensuring microbial safety.
WHO (2006): Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater excreta and greywater. Volume II. Wastewater Use in Agriculture. Geneva: World Health Organisation URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019] PDFPoster presentation on initial research findings on the development of synthetic terra preta that could be as effective in promoting plant growth and in sequestering carbon as terra preta.
CHIA, C. H. ; JOSEPH, S. D. ; MUNROE, P. ; LIN, Y. ; HOOK, J. ; SHASHA, A. ; ZWIETEN, L. van ; KIMBER, S. ; COWIE, A. ; SINGH, B. ; LEHMANN, J. ; HANLEY, K. ; BLACKWELL, P. ; CARTER, E. ; MANNING, D. A. C. ; FIALIPS, C. I. A. (2009): Development of Synthetic Terra Preta (STP): Characterisation and Initial Research Findings. In: Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Biochar Conference 2009, Gold Coast Australia 17 to 20 May, 2009. Australian and New Zealand Biochar Researchers Network: URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]This document contains a short review on biogas technology and an overview on the green productivity concept and community development. It also contains a detailed construction manual for fixed-dome biogas plant at the household level for the digestion of animal dung. An operation manual is also given and wide information on biogas appliances, such as cooking stoves and reuse of remaining compost from the digesters.
KOOTTATEP, S. OMPONT, M. HWA, T.J. (2004): Biogas: GP Option for Community Development. Asian Productivity Organization (APO) URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]PDF presentation about condominium-level biogas digesters for the transformation of human faeces. Biogas basics as well as two case studies (from Germany and India) are presented.
MUENCH, E. (2008): Overview of anaerobic treatment options for sustainable sanitation systems. In: BGR Symposium "Coupling Sustainable Sanitation and Groundwater Protection": URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]Detail calculations of the potential of carbon sequestration by the production of bio-char (charcoal or biomass-derived black carbon) and its application to soil is proposed to establish a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide are given and discussed.
LEHMANN, J. ; GAUNT, J. ; RONDON, M. (2006): Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems– a review. In: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change : Volume 11 , 395-419. URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]Technical information on the advantages and main technologies of anaerobic digestion treatment for wastewaters in developing countries.
NATURGERECHTE TECHNOLOGIEN ; Bau- und Wirtschaftsberatung (TBW) GmbH (2001): Anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater treatment. (= Technical Information W3e ). German Agency for Technical Cooperation GmbH (GTZ) and German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE) URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]The document gives an overview on the combined composting of (faecal) sludges and organic solid waste based on a pilot project in Kumasi, Ghana. Results of the investigation should help the city’s waste management department to develop its biosolids management strategy and enable the project team to develop guidelines for planners and engineers on the option of co-composting.
STRAUSS, M. DRESCHER, S. ZURBRUEGG, C. MONTANGERO, A. OLUFUNKE, C. DRECHSEL, P. (2003): Co-composting of Faecal Sludge and Municipal Organic Waste. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG), Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]This booklet reflects seven years of experience of the Biogas Extension Service (BES) of CAMARTEC (Centre for Agricultural Mechanization and Rural Technology) in Arusha/Tanzania, which was carried out in cooperation with the GTZ from 1983 to 1986. It is meant as a teaching aid in agricultural colleges and as a reference book for professionals working in the field of rural biogas extension.
SASSE, L. (1991): Improved Biogas Unit for Developing Countries. German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE) and German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) GmbH URL [Accessed: 05.06.2019]Technical information on the advantages and main technologies of anaerobic digestion treatment for wastewaters in developing countries.
GATE (2001): Anaerobic Methods of Municipal Wastewater Treatment. Technical Information W3e. Frankfurt (Germany): GATE Information Service and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]The introduction of oxygen into wastewater for nitrification requires a large amount of energy. Furthermore, the carbon source is often limited in wastewater, so purchasing of carbon source (typically methanol) is necessary too. A newly discovered anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) may circumvent the limitations and open up a new possibility for nitrogen removal from wastewater. The alternative approach is a microbiological involved activity, which requires less energy and enables more efficiency on N removal.
XING, Y. CLARK, I.D. (n.y): Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation in Waste Water - An Isotope Hydrological Perspective. Ottawa: University of Ottawa URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]This article gives an overview of the Anammox process and how it was discovered.
SHIVARAMAN, N. ; SHIVARAMAN, G. (2003): Anammox – A Novel Microbial Process for Ammonium Removal. In: Current Science: Volume 84 , 1507-1508. URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]The purpose of this manual is to provide updated, state‐of‐the‐technology design guidance on nitrogen and phosphorus control at municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). This manual contains extensive information on the principles of biological nutrient removal and chemical phosphorus removal to serve as the basis for design. A detailed description of technologies, both conventional and emerging, serves as a resource for preliminary technology selection.
U.S. EPA (2010): Nutrient Control Design Manual. Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]The Anammox reaction was discovered and validated to be mediated by microbes in the early nineties. In 1999, the responsible bacteria were positively identified. These slowly growing microorganisms belong to the order Brocadiales and are affiliated to the Planctomycetes. Cultivation of these bacteria at sufficient biomass density and rate, as well as the lack of pure cultures, has challenged the study of these extraordinary organisms. Membrane reactors have made the cultivation of up to 95% enriched cell suspensions of Anammox bacteria possible.
KUENEN, J.G. KARTAL, B. JETTEN, M.S.M. (n.y): The Discovery of the Anammox Process and Beyond. Pasadena: The Agouron Institute URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]