ASTM D5975-96(2004)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Stability of Compost by Measuring Oxygen Consumption
Standard Test Method for Determining the Stability of Compost by Measuring Oxygen Consumption
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A measurement of compost stability is needed for several reasons. It aids in assessing whether the composting process has proceeded sufficiently far to allow the finished compost to be used for its intended application. A different compost stability may be required for different applications of the compost.
A measurement of compost stability also is needed to verify whether a composting plant is processing the waste to previously agreed levels of stability. This measurement is useful in the commissioning of composting plants and the verification of whether plant operators are satisfying permit requirements.
The level of compost stability also will indicate its potential to cause odors if the compost is stored without aeration, as well as the level to which it has been hygienized and how susceptible the compost is to renewed bacterial and possible pathogenic activity. Compost stability is an important parameter with regard to phytotoxicity and plant tolerance of the compost.
The determination of compost stability will allow the selection of well performing composting technologies, as well as the safe application of compost in its various markets. The method indicates a degree of stability, but does not necessarily indicate that one level is preferable over another level of stability.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the stability of a compost sample by measuring oxygen consumption after exposure of the the test compost to a well-stabilized compost under controlled-composting conditions on a laboratory scale involving active aeration. This test method is designed to yield reproducible and repeatable results under controlled conditions that resemble the end of the active composting phase. The compost samples are exposed to a well-stabilized compost inoculum that is prepared from municipal solid waste or waste similar to the waste from which the test materials are derived. The aerobic composting takes place in an environment where temperature, aeration, and humidity are monitored closely and controlled.
1.2 This test method yields a cumulative amount of oxygen consumed/g of volatile solids in the samples over a four-day period. The rate of oxygen consumption is monitored as well.
1.3 this test method is applicable to different types of compost samples including composts derived from wastes, such as municipal solid waste, yard waste, source-separated organics, biosolids, and other types of organic wastes that do not have toxicity levels that are inhibitory to the microorganisms present in aerobic composting systems.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 there is no similar or equivalent ISO method.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 8.
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Designation:D5975–96(Reapproved2004)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Stability of Compost by Measuring Oxygen
1
Consumption
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5975; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method covers the stability of a compost 2.1 ASTM Standards:
sample by measuring oxygen consumption after exposure of D515 Test Methods for Phosphorus in Water
the test compost to a well-stabilized compost under controlled- D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
composting conditions on a laboratory scale involving active D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
aeration.Thistestmethodisdesignedtoyieldreproducibleand D1888 Test Methods for Particulate and Dissolved Matter
repeatableresultsundercontrolledconditionsthatresemblethe in Water
end of the active composting phase. The compost samples are D2908 Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in
exposed to a well-stabilized compost inoculum that is prepared Water by Aqueous-Injection Gas Chromatography
from municipal solid waste or waste similar to the waste from D3590 Test Methods for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
which the test materials are derived. The aerobic composting D4129 Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water
takesplaceinanenvironmentwheretemperature,aeration,and by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric De-
humidity are monitored closely and controlled. tection
1.2 This test method yields a cumulative amount of oxygen D5338 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegrada-
consumed/g of volatile solids in the samples over a four-day tion of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting
period. The rate of oxygen consumption is monitored as well. Conditions
1.3 This test method is applicable to different types of 2.2 APHA-AWWA-WPCF Standards:
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compost samples including composts derived from wastes, 2540 D Total Suspended Solids Dried at 103°–105°C
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such as municipal solid waste, yard waste, source-separated 2540 E Fixed and Volatile Solids Ignited at 550°C
organics, biosolids, and other types of organic wastes that do
3. Terminology
not have toxicity levels that are inhibitory to the microorgan-
3.1 Definitions of terms in this test method appear in
isms present in aerobic composting systems.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Terminology D883.
standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 There is no similar or equivalent ISO method.
4.1 This test method consists of the following:
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.1 Selecting a compost sample for the determination of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the stability.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.2 Producing a fully stabilized compost from a similar
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
waste stream under well-controlled laboratory conditions.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
statements are given in Section 8.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.03 onTreatment, the ASTM website.
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Recovery and Reuse. “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,” 17th
Current edition approved Sept. 28, 2004. Published October 1996. DOI: Edition,1989,AmericanPublicHealthAssociation,1740Broadway,NewYork,NY
10.1520/D5975-96R04. 19919.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5975–96 (2004)
4.1.3 Exposing the compost test samples to the fully stabi- as the safe application of compost in its various markets. The
lized compost under controlled composting conditions. method indicates a degree of stability, but does not necessarily
4.1.4 Measuring the oxygen consumption rate and deter- indicate that one level is preferable over another level of
mining the cumulative oxygen consumption. stability.
4.2 Obtaining the level of stability from the cumulative
oxygen consumption. 6. Apparatus
6.1 Stabilized-CompostInoculumPreparationBin (seeFig.
5. Significance and Use
1):
5.1 A measurement of compost stability is needed for
6.1.1 Astabilized-compost inoculum preparation bin with a
s
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