Thermal and spectroscopic characterization of composts from municipal solid wastes

Six composts from municipal solid wastes (MSW) were sampled after composting times of 3, 7, 15, 45, 60 and 350 days and analyzed by chemical analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy in emission, excitation and synchronous scan modes, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, without carrying out any organic matter extraction. Thermal and spectroscopic techniques appeared to be powerful tools to investigate the evolution of MSW organic matter during composting, and provided evidence that the chemical transformations occurring in these heterogeneous materials yield products with molecular complexity and stability, similar to humic substances. © Copyright Taylor & Francis.