@article{NadaVanRensburgClaassensetal.2012,
  author    = {Nada, Wael Mohamed Abdel-Rahman and Van Rensburg, L. and Claassens, Sarina and Blumenstein, Oswald and Friedrich, A.},
  title     = {Evaluation of organic matter stability in wood compost by chemical and thermogravimetric analysis},
  series = {International journal of environmental research},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {International journal of environmental research},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Theran},
  address   = {Tehran},
  issn      = {1735-6865},
  pages     = {425 -- 434},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {This study investigated maturation and stability levels during composting of Quercus robur (QR) woodchips mixed with different nitrogen sources (horse manure, HM and lake mud, LM) for potential agronomic utilisation. The woodchips were mixed with HM and LM, respectively, at mixing ratios of 1QR:2HM or QR:2LM. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse over 100 days. During composting, organic carbon and its fractioning and humification constituents were quantified. In the final compost product, pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and selected available nutrients were measured. Thermostability of compost, compared with that of soil and compost mixed with charcoal were also quantified. Results showed OM evolution during the composting process with total organic and extractable carbons and humification indices decreasing, while the degree of humification increased. Compost produced from the 1QR:2HM mix resulted in the highest available nutrients, CEC and OM content values in the final product. Thermogravimetric profiles indicated that compost OM thermostability was higher than that in soil and higher for the 1QR:2HM than the 1QR:2LM mix. Application of charcoal revealed no additional stabilising effect of OM in wood compost.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NadavanRensburgClaassensetal.2011,
  author    = {Nada, Wael M. and van Rensburg, Leon and Claassens, Sarina and Blumenstein, Oswald},
  title     = {Effect of vermicompost on soil and plant properties of coal spoil in the Lusatian Region (Eastern Germany)},
  series = {Communications in soil science and plant analysis},
  volume    = {42},
  journal   = {Communications in soil science and plant analysis},
  number    = {16},
  publisher = {Taylor \& Francis Group},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {0010-3624},
  doi       = {10.1080/00103624.2011.591469},
  pages     = {1945 -- 1957},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different wood vermicompost application rates on some soil physical and chemical properties as well as on growth parameters of a grass seed mixture (RSM 7.2.1) in tertiary sand contaminated with coal spoil. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse over a period of 42 days. Soil was mixed with vermicompost at ratios of 0.0, 3.0, 12.5, and 25.0\% and sown with the grass seed mixture. Soil samples and plant material were analyzed to determine the effect of different vermicompost application rates on the physical and chemical properties. Results revealed that the physical and chemical properties of the soil improved with increasing application rates of vermicompost. In addition, soil treated with vermicompost showed significant increases in fresh-and dry-matter yields of the grass, as well as enhanced uptake of nutrients by the grass. This indicated that treatment of contaminated soils with vermicompost may be beneficial for reclamation processes by facilitating revegetation of disturbed areas.},
  language  = {en}
}