Deciphering the structural characteristics and molecular transformation of dissolved organic matter during the electrolytic oxygen aerobic composting process

Electrolytic oxygen aerobic composting (EOAC) effectively treats organic solid waste by using in-situ electrolytic oxygen for aeration. However, the fundamental mechanism of compost maturity is still unclear. Therefore, we comprehensively characterized dissolved organic matter (DOM) transformation closely related to compost maturity during EOAC. Excitation-emission matrix-parallel factor (EEM-PARAFAC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed that EOAC quickly decreased organic matter and increased humus substances, accelerating the compost humification process compared with conventional aerobic composting. Electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) analysis reveals that the double bound equivalent and aromaticity index during EOAC are higher than in conventional aerobic composting (CAC), suggesting more aromatic compounds in EOAC. DOM's detailed transformation investigation suggested that low O/C and high H/C compounds were preferentially decomposed during EOAC. Our investigation firstly extends the in-depth molecular mechanisms of humification during EOAC, and reveals its practical engineering applications. [Display omitted] •DOM molecular changes in EOAC are studied by FT-ICR MS combined spectral analysis.•EOAC preferentially decomposes low O/C and high H/C compounds.•EOAC degrades labile DOM faster and forms humus-like substances.•The DOM of EOAC had higher aromaticity and humification than CAC.