Effects of functional membrane coverings on carbon and nitrogen evolution during aerobic composting: Insight into the succession of bacterial and fungal communities

Carbon and nitrogen evolution and bacteria and fungi succession in two functional membrane-covered aerobic composting (FMCAC) systems and a conventional aerobic composting system were investigated. The micro-positive pressure in each FMCAC system altered the composting microenvironment, significantly increased the oxygen uptake rates of microbes (p < 0.05), and increased the abundance of cellulose- and hemicellulose-degrading microorganisms. Bacteria and fungi together influenced the conversion between carbon and nitrogen forms. FMCAC made the systems less anaerobic and decreased CH4 production and emissions by 22.16 %-23.37 % and N2O production and emissions by 41.34 %-45.37 % but increased organic matter degradation and NH3 production and emissions by 16.91 %-90.13 %. FMCAC decreased carbon losses, nitrogen losses, and the global warming potential by 7.97 %-11.24 %, 15.43 %-34.00 %, and 39.45 %-42.16 %, respectively. The functional membrane properties (pore size distribution and air permeability) affected fermentation process and gaseous emissions. A comprehensive assessment indicated that FMCAC has excellent prospects for application.