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BIOCONVERSION OF
DRIFTED SEAWEED BIOMASS INTO ORGANIC COMPOST COLLECTED FROM THE KARACHI
COAST
TOOBA HAQ*, FAROOQ
AHMED KHAN, RAZIA BEGUM AND ALIA BANO MUNSHI
Abstract:
Present
bioconversion studies were carried out to convert drifted seaweed
biomass into bioactive organic compost. Chemical analysis of the
collected seaweed biomass from the Karachi coast revealed 60.30 %
organic matter. Aerobic composting method i.e., windrow composting
technique was applied for the conversion of collected seaweed biomass
into organic compost. Employing this technique almost 70% biomass was
converted into organic compost. On analysis, the compost obtained by the
above method showed 2.3% Nitrogen, 0.86% Phosphate and 1.8% Potassium.
Results for the analysis of heavy metals showed Mercury 0.05 mg / kg,
Arsenic BDL Cadmium 0.080 mg / kg and Copper 7.1 mg / kg. Results for
the biological evaluation of seaweed compost showed 78% germabilty while
the Biogold and cow dung showed 83 and 60% germabilty.
PCSIR Labs Complex,
Shahra-E-Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, off University Road Karachi- 75280,
Pakistan.
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