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Because of the different uses to which municipal refuse compost is put, end-products of different quality are needed. The quality of the end product can be assessed from its maturity. The methods of determination of compost maturity can be grouped according to the underlying principles involved into the following categories: (1) respirometry; (2) analysis of biodegradable constituents - total organic carbon, polysaccharides; (3) the study of biochemical parameters - APT, enzyme activity. For methods grouped under (1) and (2), well equipped and specialized laboratories are generally required. Other techniques directly usable at composting plants and providing rapid information on compost maturity are: simplified respirometry, C/N ratio, chromatography, colorimetry, and phytotoxicity tests.

A technique has yet to be found which will allow the overall control of composting with an assessment of the stage of …