Laboratory scale evaluation of Effective Microorganisms in the control of odor of organic waste from a market in the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

Abstract

Inadequate waste management and poor storage conditions are a problem that still affects the population and environment. In the city of Riobamba (Chimborazo, Ecuador) some people feel affected by odor pollution generated by the accumulation of waste in landfills near to markets, corners, and public places. For minimizing this problem, the present work analyzed the potential odor reduction of organic waste from a market located in Riobamba, using Effective Microorganisms: Lactobacillus plantarum, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Streptomyces albus, and Aspergillus oryzae. Four combinations of cocktails were formed subsequent to evaluating the antagonism of microbial strains. The odor sensory evaluation was carried out by 40 people using the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers odor scale, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, and color were measured in the treatment which reached imperceptible odor intensity. In this way, the cocktail formed by the four strains of Effective Microorganisms presents a reduction in the values of the physicochemical parameters of the leachate compared to the sample without the microorganisms, and furthermore, that cocktail controls bad smell produced by the decomposition of organic matter. Therefore, the application of Effective Microorganism opens up a possibility for the treatment of organic waste within local garbage collection stations.