Ex situ customization and calculation of degradation capacity of soil under selected physical environmental conditions (P-0775) (MFN 3891)

Abstract

Waste management is major issue in Pakistan that needs special attention, mechanisms, technology, strategies and implementation to control its grim consequences. This research has been carried out in Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) where improper waste management is now causing significant problems in the vicinity. The research is based on degradation of waste as a remedial action to waste disposal. Experimentations on silty loam soil are carried out by controlling the two most important physical environmental factors i.e pH and osmolarity to determine soil has potential to degrade. Aluminium, paper and bio-degradable plastic are used as waste samples and are buried in soil for three weeks. After aging time period samples are analyzed and calculated to determine percentage degradation using “grid analysis method”. The study shows different results upon varying soil pH and moisture content. In natural conditions physical and chemical degradation usually have a very little role in degradation of waste. Biodegradation is the dominant type since soil contains many indigenous micro-organisms e.g. bacteria and fungi. Some macro-organisms e.g. earthworms, maggots, and mites also helps in the process. Biodegradation predominates when the pH and osmolarity of soil is maintained between the normal ranges because soil with neutral pH 7.5 contained adequate microbial communities to support bio-degradation. Similarly, water content between 25% to 35% has shown to assist bio-degradation. Soil osmolarity is directly related to available space and air for micro-organisms, so the aspect has significant importance to study various soil properties including degradation capacity. This research can help scientists to study soil degradation capacity under varying physical environmental conditions with innovative scope and better way to find new solutions to the current waste management problems in Pakistan.