Evolution of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn during the composting process of chicken manure and their integrated potential ecological risk assessment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to ascertain the evolution of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn during the composting process of chicken manure and their integrated potential ecological risk. This study detected the total amounts of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn in 4 samples collected at four different stages in the composting workshop of an intensive chicken farm in Chengdu, China. Furthermore, the chemical fractionation of the four heavy metals was analyzed by the BCR (European Community Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure for each sample. At last, the integrated potential ecological risk of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn in the compost at four different stages was evaluated by the procedure of potential ecological risk assessment based on its results of chemical fractionation of Cr, Cu, Zn, and Mn. During the composting process, the total amounts of Cr, Cu, Zn and Mn presented an increasing trend, significantly. Nevertheless, the residual fraction (Res-F) percentage of Cr, Zn, and Cu increased, and the acid extractable fraction (Aci-F) percentage of Mn decreased. The value of integrated potential ecological risk of the four heavy metals in the final product was 9.91. These results indicated the integrated potential ecological risk of the four heavy metals is low. This study provided a support on the promotion and utilization of compost for the intensive chicken farms in China.