Management of Organic Residuals, Soil Improvers and Growing Media

Assessment, processing and recycling of organic residuals have been a matter of concern ever since the advent of settled communities. This book considers the different approaches to the management of these materials, the characteristics that make them useful and the technologies that are available for their treatment, recycling or disposal. Hazards associated with organic residuals are described, and a chapter is devoted to risk management. Chemical, physical and biological methods of analysis - critical for the purposes of either monitoring, use or disposal - are detailed. Additional chapters cover life cycle assessment and legislative matters.

1. Historical perspective 2. Features, characteristics and benefits 3. Inorganic, organic and biological hazards 4. Risk evaluation and management 5. Chemical, physical and biological analysis 6. Treatment processes 7. Recycling - land application and other beneficial uses 8. Disposal - commodity or waste? 9. Life cycle assessments 10. International legislation 11. New developments and future technologies References Index