Ecotoxicity tests for compost applications

Anu Kapanen, Merja Itävaara

Research output: Contribution to journalReview Articlepeer-review

149 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Interest in the ecological effects of composting has been growing recently. However, no established methods are available for testing the toxicity of composted materials. Despite this, international and national quality requirements define that compost shall not contain any environmentally harmful substances. Safety requirements have to be fulfilled if the produced compost is intended for agricultural use. This literature review focuses on methods that could potentially be used to evaluate the ecotoxicity of compost. The toxicity test methods discussed are those employing microbes, enzymes, soil fauna, and plants.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-16
JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume49
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001
MoE publication typeA2 Review article in a scientific journal

Keywords

  • compost
  • composting
  • compost quality
  • biodegradation
  • ecotoxicology
  • toxicology
  • biotest

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