Suwimon Buaprom - Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Noppawan Semvimol - Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Onanong Phewnil - Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Thanit Pattamapitoon - Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kasem Chunkao - Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Chulabut Chanthasoon - The King’s Royally Initiated Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, Chaipattana Foundation, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Watcharapong Wararam - Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

Purpose Soil is an important accelerator for biodegradable processes. Soil resource circulation concept by using the compost from the previous crop as cover materials for the recent composting mass was evaluated as it contained soil and amorphous Fe as an energy source. Therefore, this research was focused on the possibility and the changes in the electron acceptors in the organic waste composting process.Method The ۲ experiments using different covering materials: paddy soil as a control (T۱) and compost (T۲) in a completely randomized design. An amount (۶۷۰ g) of organic wastes was altered with ۲۱۰ g of materials covered in ۳ layers with ۶۰ mL of water added every ۷ days during a period of ۳۰ days. The physico-chemical parameters, redox potential (Eh), and electrical conductivity (EC) were studied beside the basic soil parameters including electron acceptors such as NO-۳, MnO۲, Fe۲O۳, and SO۴-۲.Results The changes in physical and chemical properties during the degradation process were not different. The Eh reacted intensely and continuously in the same direction. The T۲ compost product contained the highest SO۴-۲ level compared to T۱ but there were no significant differences in the organic carbon and C/N ratio, though the quality of T۱ was better.Conclusion Covering the organic waste with compost improved the nutrient content in the compost products. Therefore, compost can be used as a cover material instead of soil in the composting process. However, to increase the number of electron acceptors, cover materials should be mixture of soil with compost for greater efficiency. 

compost, Organic waste, Electron acceptors, Redox potential (Eh)