Table of Contents

Abstract I.

Chapter 1
The Problem and Its Scope Introduction Background of the Study Objectives of the
Study Significance of the Study II.
Chapter 2:
Review of Related Literature Related Literature 2 Hypotheses Scope and Limitations III.

Chapter 3:
Research Methodology Experimental Design Research Environment Research
Procedures IV.
Chapter 4:
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data Data Presentation and Analysis
Interpretation of Data V.
Chapter 5:
Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations Findings Conclusions Recommendations
VI.
Chapter 6:
Bibliography Bibliography Acknowledgement

Minglanilla National Science High School

Poblacion Ward 1, Minglanilla, Cebu

Production of low-level acid Biofertilizer from Biosolids

Mel Raymond Salma

Vincent Mindo

Abstract

A biofertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied

to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes
growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation,
solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growthpromoting substances.
It can be expected to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The microrganisms in
bio-fertilizers restore the soil's natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Through the
use of bio-fertilizers, healthy plants can be grown, while enhancing the sustainability and the
health of the soil. Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of
domestic sewage in a treatment facility.
When treated and processed, these residuals can be recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve
and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth. We have biosolids as a result of the
wastewater treatment process. Water treatment technology has made our water safer for
recreation and seafood harvesting. Thirty years ago, thousands of American cities dumped their
raw sewage directly into the nation's rivers, lakes, and bays. Through regulation of these
dumping, local governments now required to treat wastewater and to make the decision whether
to recycle biosolids as fertilizer, incinerate it, or bury it in a landfill.

CHAPTER 1: The Problems and Its Scope

Introduction
Backround of the Study:
Nowadays, our country has big problem about our economy. Everyone to solve it, what
do you think are the possible ways to prevent this crisis? We suggest that being practical is one of
the solution to this problem. As students, we can be practical by using our knowledge instead of
wasting our money. These projects do not need much time and money because we can make our
biofertilizer with a low-acid level within a short period of time. The basic ingredients are soils,
wastes from the different animals from the poultry (animals that fed with wheat gluten
(powdered type), soy bean (taho), white and green broccoli, wheat germ and dried almond).
Biofertilizer is the general name for depletion in the essential minerals of the soil which are not
fertilizers which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or
solid, colonizes the rhizoshpere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the
supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biosolids is a new term used to
describe municipal treatment plant solids which are tested and determined to be safe for land
application. The researchers will use sludge which is a generic term that most people use to refer
to some type of unprocessed waste material. There is still some interchange of these two words,
but biosolids always refers to processed wastewater solids that have met specific criteria and are
suitable for land application.
This will prolong the shelf life of the nutrients in the soil and wont erode easily because of the
ammonium sulfate in a low-acidity level. The biosolis that the researchers will use in the
experiment is the wastes from the wastes of the animal poultry farms which are commonly used
but these wastes are treated and selected animals that eat with wheat gluten (powdered type), soy
bean (taho), white and green broccoli, wheat germ and dried almond. Some of the biofertilizer
are employed commercially for us to increase the productivity by using various fertilizers like
insecticides and pesticides but with the tremendous use of these products. The soils will be in a
good condition for the soil will gain a low-acidity level in the depletion in the essential minerals
of the soil. So to overcome this problem, it has become important for all of us to use a different
remedy for the production of various fertilizer but the Biofertilizers with a low-acidity level from
biosolids are the best at economic value.

Objectives of the Study

Would the biosolids with the ammonium sulfate content produce a low-level acid
bofertilizer?
Are the biofertilizers from biosolids with ammonium sulfate content better than
the commercial biofertilizer?
Can the biosolids with ammonium sulfate content produce a non-hazard,
environmental-friendly and efficient: low-level biofertilizer?

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study that the researchers can produce a biofertilizer with a lowacidity level without wasting much time and money,
For example, your house is very far from the community distributor of some home
economic objects which is useful like biofertilizers that are rare to be acquired nowadays. You
can produce biofertilizer instead of traveling very far from your house to the community
distributor just to buy or acquire the expensive effective biofertilizer. This project can help not
only students but also those who dont have permanent job because it can be additional source of
income.

CHAPTER 2
Review of Related Literature
Biosolids are created through the treatment of domestic wastewater generated from sewage
treatment facilities. The treatment of biosolids can actually begin before the wastewater reaches
the sewage treatment plant. In many larger wastewater treatment systems, pre-treatment
regulations require that industrial facilities pre-treat their wastewater to remove many hazardous
contaminants before it is sent to a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treatment facilities
monitor incoming wastewater streams to ensure their recyclability and compatibility with the
treatment plant process.
Biofertilizers help to get high yield of crops by making the soil rich with nutrients and useful
microorganisms necessary for the growth of the plants. It has been replaced the chemical
fertilizers as chemical fertilizers which are not beneficial for the plants. They decrease the
growth of the plants and make the environment polluted by releasing harmful chemicals.
Once the wastewater reaches the plant, the sewage goes through physical, chemical and
biological processes which clean the wastewater and remove the solids. If necessary, the solids
are then treated with lime to raise the pH level to eliminate objectionable odors. The wastewater
treatment processes sanitize wastewater solids to control pathogens (disease-causing organisms,
such as certain bacteria, viruses and parasites) and other organisms capable of transporting
disease.
After treatment and processing, biosolids can be recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve and
maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth. The controlled land application of biosolids
completes a natural cycle in the environment. By treating sewage sludge, it becomes biosolids
which can be used as valuable fertilizer, instead of taking up space in a landfill or other disposal
facility.
With the ammonium sulfate content which is a strong acid (H2SO4) and weak base (NH3), its
solution is acidic; pH of 0.1 M solution is 5.5.
Biofertilizers will retain its fertility which wil bebeneficial for the plants as well as the
environment, because will be protected from getting any disease and environment will be free of
pollutants.

Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis
There will be a significant potential shown for biosolids with ammonium sulfate content to create
a low-level acid biofertilizer compared to a commercial fertilizer.

Alternative Hypothesis
Ther is no significant potential shown for biosolids with ammonium sulfate content to create a
low level acid biofertilizer compared to a commercial fertilizer.

Scope and Limitations

This study has the following scope and delimitations:

1. This study used only biosolids from animals that fed with wheat gluten
(powdered type), soy bean (taho), white and green broccoli, wheat germ and dried
almond to create a biofertilizer with a low-acidity level.
The first experiment, the researchers used the different wastes which is controlled by the
animals which exerts the wastes that ate the different kinds of vegetables and fruits which
produces the given wastes with ammonium sulfate. The researchers try to use it as a
biofertilizer and create a low-acidity level of biofertilizer from biosolids.

CHAPTER 3: Research Methodology

Experimental Design
A full technical scale municipal sewage treatment plant with a flow of about
0.70m x 0.30m was the source of substrates and the base for evaluation of results.
Supernatant of anaerobically digested surplus activated sludge was the main
substrate used for experiments on ammonium sulfate with the aim of calcium
nitrate within a relatively narrow range. The concentration of ammonium sulfate
varied between 20 to 25 mg (NH4)2SO4 Ammonium Sulfate. Precipitation was based on
batch tests, carried out in large 2 or 5 litre beakers. Tests were performed for
digested sludge liquor and the digested sludge discharged directly from the digester

before dewatering. To supply phosphates, superphosphate or phosphoric acid was applied.

Superphosphate added, was a technical grade, commercially available product.
All reagents have been added as dry products. After addition, according to the chosen
procedure samples have been mixed for 30 minutes. Some of the tests for digested dung have
been mixed for 24 hours to assure complete dissolution of the reagents and the expected
reactions. Determinations of ammonium sulfate and calcium nitrate were done according to
Standard Methods. Potassium and magnesium were measured by atomic absorption
spectrometry. Before performing of the chemical determinations, samples have been filtered on a
medium paper filter.

Average measured range of

parameters

Research Environment

Municipal Sewage Sludge (MSS): Sewage sludge was taken from sewage treatment community
at Linao-Lipata Herd Assosiation, Linao-Lipata, Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines. In this study, 25
kg of different dry sewage sludge was used as a feeding substance for the earthworms or within
seven days vermicomposting period.

Research Procedures
Material

Biosolids added with ammonium sulfate from common animal wastes (Cow dung) in the
farm fields in different parts of the Municipality of Minglanilla will be used as a starting
material.
paper waste
plantain peel
cow dung and swine dung
poultry manure

Wastes Preparation
The wastes will be pre-treated and digested anaerobically for a period of 5 days. The gas
production for each system will be monitored until gas production ceased. The effluents from
these systems will be dried in the open sun for about 5 days and this formed the bio-fertilizer. Is
an inorganic salt with a number of commercial uses (The most common use for a soil fertilizer) It
contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur.
Soil experiments
The soil had a change in composition and nutrients due to the Ammonium Sulfate from
the biosolids. The biosolids was really successful in the experiment. Also, with the biofertilizers
low-acidic quality. The soil was full of safe nutrients that could not be a danger to humans. As
we measure the acidity of the biofertilizer. We assume that biosolids as biofertilizer is sufficient.

CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION

Data Analysis
The use and effectiveness of bio fertilizers depends upon the climatic conditions in the region
and other criteria such as fertility of the soil.

A detailed study of nature of the soil and the fertility of soil, which will help to get a
deep insight.

A comprehensive approach towards factors impacting the application of bio fertilizers

to the soil such as soil erosion, lack of organic matter in the soil for the area under
cultivation in different countries of the region.

The weight of the system and chemical parameters of substrate were measured
in all treatments before introducing earthworms and after experimenting for seven
days. The earthworms were separated by hand at the end of the period. The growth
rate of composting earthworms in this system was then analyzed according to the
method.

Statistical Analysis:
One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the significant differences among different
vermicomposters for studied parameters. Tukeys test was performed to identify the
homogeneous type of vermicomposters for the various parameters. The probability levels used
for statistical significance of tests were p < 0.05.

Data Presentaion

Observation in using the biofertilizer

Wastes from:

Observations:

Cow dung

constantly give a good performance on have a lowacidity level biofertilizer

Horse dung

constantly give an excellent performance on have a

low-acidity level biofertilizer

Chicken dung

constantly give an effective performance on have a

low-acidity level biofertilizer

Human dung

not really effective because of uncontrolled food

taken by the human.

Interpretation of Data
Observation in preserving and improving used to prolong the shelf life of the
biofertilizer with a low-acidity level.

CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS

Conclusions and Recommendations

The biosolids with the ammonium sulfate content produce a low-level acid
bofertilizer.

The biofertilizers from biosolids with ammonium sulfate content better than the
commercial biofertilizer

The biosolids with ammonium sulfate content produce a non-hazard,

environmental-friendly and efficient: low-level biofertilizer.

The production of biofertilizers from bioslids had met with our expectations with
it. Since, our goal of making it a low-level acid biofertilizer had been sought. The
low-level acid biofertilizer will leave a huge impact on the fertilizer world.

Findings
It can produce a low level acid biofertilizer from biosolids with ammonium sulfate.
The commercial fertilizers can be replaced with the invented biofertilizer from biosolids
with ammonium sulfate content which is better that the commercial
It can produce a non-hazard, environmental-friendly and efficient: low-level biofertilizer
from biosolids with ammoniumsulfate.

Recommendations
The following recommendation was given:
1. Perform further study in producing other biosolids wich are rich in good chemicals with a
low-acidity level.
2. Test other waste that can be used to lengthen the shelf life of the biofertilizer.
3. Do further study to improve the quality of the biofertilizer with a low-acidity level.

CHAPTER 6: BiBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography

http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/wastewater/treatment/biosolids/genqa.cfm

http://repository.qatar.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.2/270/Report.pdf?sequence=1

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp126-c1-b.pdf

http://repository.qatar.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.2/270/Report.pdf?sequence=1

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/ammonium-sulfate-lawn-fertilizer-42722.html

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank first our beloved family for all the support that they have given us for this
task. Their wisdom and their knowledge were one of the keys that helped us unlock this marvelous and
majestic gate. We would also like to thank Mdm. Jade Bacon, Sir. Ryan Manubag and Mdm. Romine
Sanchez for all of the help that they have given us there words and wisdom were also keys to this
Investigatory Projects success.
We noticed that every successful person whether man or woman. They would always stand for
something they believed in and this Investigatory Project is a stepping stone for all of us to arrive to the
point that we would one day stand up and fight for what we believe in with the right set of evidence and
paperwork of course. To understand all of that from such a long struggle is really something. This kind of
experience is really something that must be sought through to the end. Luckily, we may be a part of those
that arrived at the end.
So, for that we would also thank every single person that ever made an impression in our lives,
even those who we just got to know. For they all left something in our experience and in our minds that
made us who we are today. This is not an ordinary task. For this is a task worth bragging on to the whole
world. To test what we couldnt believe in.
Lastly, well end this with a large, heartfelt and truly the last Thank You and may others see the
beauty of this activity as well.