Composting Science and Technology

Tentative outline of the planned contents for "Compost Science and Technology: Trends and Advances," including chapter titles and brief descriptions of their scope:
I. Composting Dynamics: Microbial, Ecological, and Genetic Perspectives:

1. Microbial Ecology of Thermophilic Composting (J.A. López-González, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain)

2. Hyperthermophilic Composting Accelerates the Removal of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Mobile Genetic Elements in Sewage Sludge (Yongguan Zhu, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China)

3. Role of Fungi in Composting: Investigating the contribution of fungal communities to organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and the overall stability of compost (Gregory Bonito, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, MI, USA)

4. Microbial Biofilms and Their Role in Composting: Exploring the formation and function of microbial biofilms in composting systems (Romain Briandet, Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France)

5. Metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses of thermophilic composting reveal key bacterial players and their metabolic interactions (João Carlos Setubal, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil)

6. Thermophilic bacteria and their thermozymes in composting processes (Annarita Poli, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Naples, Italy)

7. Horizontal gene transfer and shifts in linked bacterial community composition are associated with antibiotic resistance genes during composting (Sara Domingues, Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-458 Coimbra, Portugal)

8. Microbial risk assessment and dissemination mechanism of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence genes in composts (Gal Winter, School of Science and Technology, The University of New England, Armidale New South Wales, Australia)
II. Composting Innovations: Advancements in Technologies and Systems

1. Investigating the integration of sensors, automation, and data analytics to optimize composting processes and improve efficiency (Ludovıca Marıa Olıverı, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95123, Catania, Italy)

2. Exploring the development of modular systems that allow for scalability, flexibility, and customization in composting operations (Iria Villar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain)

3. Examining innovative techniques such as cold composting or vermicomposting that operate at lower temperatures to compost organic waste efficiently while minimizing energy consumption (Rakshak Kumar, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India)

4. Investigating novel aeration methods, such as forced aeration or passive aeration, to enhance oxygen transfer rates, microbial activity, and decomposition rates in composting (Ashok Pandey, Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India)

5. Exploring technologies such as biofilters, activated carbon systems, or microbial inoculants designed to mitigate odors and emissions from composting facilities. (Xiaowei Li, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, China)

6. Assessing strategies to capture and utilize carbon dioxide emissions from composting processes for beneficial purposes such as greenhouse gas reduction or carbon sequestration (Allegra Mayer, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA)

7. Investigating the application of microbial biostimulants to enhance microbial activity, accelerate decomposition, and improve compost quality in various composting systems (Nunzio Fiorentino, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055, Portici, Italy)

8. Hybrid Composting Systems: Exploring integrated composting systems that combine different composting methods to maximize organic waste conversion rates and resource recovery (Yen Wah Tong, Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore)

9. Ultra-high temperature aerobic fermentation pretreatment composting (Lihua Ye, School of Automotive and Traffic Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

10. Bioreactor Design and Engineering: Researching novel bioreactor designs (e.g., in-vessel reactors, aerated static pile systems) and engineering innovations (e.g., forced aeration, passive aeration, leachate recirculation) to optimize composting conditions and accelerate organic waste decomposition (Tatyana S. Tikhomirova, nstitute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, Moscow, Russia)
III. Compost Quality Monitoring: Integrating Novel Indicators and Advanced Techniques

1. Meta-Omics Approaches for Microbial Indicator Discovery in Compost Quality Assessment (Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa)

2. Assessment of Hygiene and Safety Risks in Compost: Odor Emissions and Microbial Pathogen Investigation (Jose Domingo, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain)

3. On-Field Compost Maturity Detection: Development of an Electrochemical Sensor System (Mun'delanji C. Vestergaard, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 1-21-24, Japan)

4. Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Real-Time Assessment of Compost Maturity Degree (M. G. Abaker, University Aix-Marseille, Marseille, Lunel, France)

5. FT-NIR Spectroscopy for Monitoring Olive Oil Solid Waste Composting Process (Y. Kavdir, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey)

6. Advancements in Sensor Technologies for Real-Time Compost Monitoring and Optimization (Cormac Fay, SMART Infrastructure Facility, Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

7. Automation and Control Systems Integration in Composting Facilities: Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability (Jingxin Zhang, China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201306, China)

8. Microwave-Assisted Composting: Rapid Organic Waste Treatment and Pathogen Inactivation (Klaus Zimmerman, Danube BioSolutions, Pressbaum, Austria)

9. Synergistic Remediation: Phytoremediation-Assisted Composting for Contaminated Soil Treatment (Marc Amyot, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Marie-Victorin, 90 Vincent d'Indy, Montreal, QC H2V2S9, Canada)

10. Algal Biorefineries Integration in Composting: Nutrient Recycling and Value-Added Product Generation (Raul Muñoz, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain)
IV. Next-Generation Compost Utilization: Advancements and Breakthroughs

1. Investigating the development and performance of next-generation mulching films made from compostable materials to enhance soil health and reduce plastic pollution (Yu Li, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

2. Investigating the use of compost blends as amendments for soil remediation and land reclamation projects to mitigate environmental contamination and restore degraded ecosystems (Vicenç Carabassa, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Catalonia, Spain)

3. Exploring the development of biodegradable plastics and bio-based materials derived from compostable feedstocks for packaging, construction, and other applications, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate plastic waste (Zvanaka S. Mazhandu, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa)

4. Investigating the use of compost-derived biostimulants (e.g., humic substances, microbial inoculants) to enhance plant stress tolerance, root development, and nutrient absorption in commercial crop production and sustainable agriculture (Everlon Cid Rigobelo, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil)

5. Examining the integration of compost-derived nutrients and organic matter into aquaponics and hydroponics systems to enhance nutrient cycling, improve water quality, and promote sustainable food production in controlled environment agriculture. (Qi Ni, Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Shanghai 200092, China)

6. Investigating the feasibility of using compost-based filter systems for decentralized wastewater treatment (Lucía Lijó, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

7. Compost-Assisted Erosion Control: Assessing the effectiveness of compost blankets, erosion control mats, and vegetative covers in stabilizing slopes, controlling sediment runoff, and promoting vegetation establishment in disturbed landscapes, construction sites, and revegetation projects (Raina M. Maier, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, United States)

8. Compost-Enhanced Green Infrastructure: Examining the integration of compost-enhanced green infrastructure into urban stormwater management plans to mitigate runoff pollution, reduce flooding, and improve water quality in urban watersheds and coastal areas (Stephanie Hurley, Dept. of Plant and Soil Science, Univ. of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA).