The composting process

Oshins, Cary; Michel, Frederick C.; Louis, P. L.; Richard, Tom L.; Rynk, Robert

doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-85602-7.00008-x

Cited by 16 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The curing process takes place at mesophilic temperatures. If the active composting stage is reduced or poorly managed, the significance of curing will grow [ 36 ]. Immature compost may include high quantities of organic acid, a high C : N ratio, and other harmful properties to plants and crops [ 37 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On-Farm Composting of Agricultural Waste Materials for Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan

et al. 2022

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Agriculture is the economic backbone of Pakistan. 67% of country’s population resides in rural areas and primarily depends on agriculture. Pakistan's soils are poor in OM and have a low C : N ratio, and the overall fertility status is insufficient to support increased crop yields. Compost is an excellent alternative solution for improving soil OM content. However, this excellent alternative supply in Pakistan has yet to be used. Mass volumes of leaves, grass clippings, plant stalks, vines, weeds, twigs, and branches are burned daily. In this study, different compost piles (P1, P2, and P3) of compost were made using different agricultural and animal waste combinations to assess temperature, pH, and NPK. Results revealed that P3 demonstrated the most successful composting procedure. The temperature and pH levels throughout the composting process were determined in a specified range of 42–45oC and 6.1–8.3, respectively. Total nitrogen content ranged from 81.5 to 2175 ppm in farm compost. Total phosphorus concentrations range from 1.33 to 13.98 ppm, and potassium levels, on the other hand, range from 91.53 to 640 ppm in farm compost. The overall nitrogen concentration grew progressively between each pile at the end of a week. The varied concentrations revealed that adding various forms of agricultural waste would result in a variation in the quantity of NPK owing to microbial activity. On-farm composting has emerged as an effective technique for the sustainability of agricultural activities, capable of resolving crucial problems like crop residues and livestock waste disposal. Based on this study’s results, the pile (P3) combination shows the best NPK value performance and is recommended for agricultural uses to overcome the OM deficiency.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On-Farm Composting of Agricultural Waste Materials for Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan

et al. 2022

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“…For example, smaller and more frequent watering events (e.g., weekly before turning) during the initial to the thermophilic phase would likely yield sufficient moisture content (~ 0.50 to 0.65%w/w H 2 O) while minimizing O 2 consumption 12 . Turning events stimulate aerobic conditions which favors CH 4 oxidation and reduces methanogenesis; turning also lowers the likelihood of high temperatures that hamper microbial activity and reduce the quality of the compost 12 , 67 , 68 . Reducing watering events towards the end of the composting process could minimize the formation of anaerobic conditions, particularly favorable at this time where the highest bulk density (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the climate change mitigation potential from food waste composting

Pérez

Vergara

Silver

2023

Sci Rep

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Food waste is a dominant organic constituent of landfills, and a large global source of greenhouse gases. Composting food waste presents a potential opportunity for emissions reduction, but data on whole pile, commercial-scale emissions and the associated biogeochemical drivers are lacking. We used a non-invasive micrometeorological mass balance approach optimized for three-dimensional commercial-scale windrow compost piles to measure methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continuously during food waste composting. Greenhouse gas flux measurements were complemented with continuous oxygen (O2) and temperature sensors and intensive sampling for biogeochemical processes. Emission factors (EF) ranged from 6.6 to 8.8 kg CH4–C/Mg wet food waste and were driven primarily by low redox and watering events. Composting resulted in low N2O emissions (0.01 kg N2O–N/Mg wet food waste). The overall EF value (CH4 + N2O) for food waste composting was 926 kgCO2e/Mg of dry food waste. Composting emissions were 38–84% lower than equivalent landfilling fluxes with a potential net minimum savings of 1.4 MMT CO2e for California by year 2025. Our results suggest that food waste composting can help mitigate emissions. Increased turning during the thermophilic phase and less watering overall could potentially further lower emissions.

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“…However, the temperature/time relationship is an almost universal parameter. In order to achieve the desired effect in pathogen destruction, the required temperatures must be reached and stayed for enough time at these temperature values (Oshins and Michel, 2021;Xiao et al, 2017). USEPA indicates that the threshold temperature to destroy pathogens must achieve above 55 • C for three days in the aerated static pile or in-vessel composting process.…”

Section: Parametermentioning

confidence: 99%