Compost: Difference between revisions

From Climate Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 13: Line 13:
Composting organisms require four equally important ingredients to work effectively:
Composting organisms require four equally important ingredients to work effectively:


*'''Brown Earth''' (carbon) provides energy; the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat required for other parts of the composting process. High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.
*'''Brown Earth''' (carbon) provides fuel; the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat required for other parts of the composting process. High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.
*'''Green Earth''' (nitrogen) helps grow and reproduce the organisms that oxidize the carbon. High nitrogen materials tend to be green and wet, but include colorful fruits and vegetables.
*'''Green Earth''' (nitrogen) feeds the microbiome driving this heat reaction through its growth + reproduction. High nitrogen materials tend to be green and wet, but include colorful foods.
*'''Water''' (any color) is necessary in the right amounts to maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.
*'''Air''' oxidizes the carbon, stoking the digestive fire. Aerobic bacteria typically need oxygen levels above 5% to compost.
*'''Air''' (oxygen) is required for oxidizing the carbon, the decomposition process. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen levels above 5% to perform the processes needed for composting.  
*'''Water''' nourishes the decomposition activity, although too much will cause anaerobic conditions.
<ref name = "USEPA"></ref><ref name = "Wikipedia">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost [accessed 2-2-23]</ref>
<ref name = "USEPA"></ref><ref name = "Wikipedia">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost [accessed 2-2-23]</ref>
==Feedstocks==
==Feedstocks==

Revision as of 17:17, 3 February 2023

As organic matter decomposes, it recomposes, yielding a composition known as compost. Compost is a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material. The production of compost involves a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch. Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile during the composting process. They use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to breathe.[1]

Definition

late 14c., compote, "mixture of stewed fruits, a preserve," from Old French composte "mixture of leaves, manure, etc., for fertilizing land" (13c.), also "condiment," from Vulgar Latin *composita, noun use of fem. of Latin compositus, past participle of componere "to put together," from com "with, together" (see com-) + ponere "to place" (see position (n.)).

The fertilizer sense is attested in English from 1580s, and the French word in this sense is a 19th century borrowing from English. The condiment sense now goes with compote, a later borrowing from French.[2]

Historical

Technical

Per the Practical Handbook of Compost Engineering the process of "composting" is, technically:

the biological decomposition and stabilization of organic substrates, under conditions that allow development of thermophilic temperatures as a result of biologically produced heat, to produce a final product [=compost] that is stable, free of pathogens and plant seeds, and can be beneficially applied to land. Thus, composting is a form of waste stabilization, but one that requires special conditions of moisture and aeration to produce thermophilic temperatures . . . considered to be above about 45°C (113°F). Maintenance of thermophilic temperatures is the primary mechanism for pathogen inactivation and seed destruction.[3]

Production

Composting organisms require four equally important ingredients to work effectively:

  • Brown Earth (carbon) provides fuel; the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat required for other parts of the composting process. High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.
  • Green Earth (nitrogen) feeds the microbiome driving this heat reaction through its growth + reproduction. High nitrogen materials tend to be green and wet, but include colorful foods.
  • Air oxidizes the carbon, stoking the digestive fire. Aerobic bacteria typically need oxygen levels above 5% to compost.
  • Water nourishes the decomposition activity, although too much will cause anaerobic conditions.

[1][4]

Feedstocks

GREENS + BROWNS

Reactors

Commons

Household

  • Bokashi

Ag / Industry

  • BEAM: Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management

- high in mycelium and carbon burial - alternative to "holistic management"

Application

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
  2. ↑ Online Etymology Dictionary, "Compost" https://www.etymonline.com/word/compost
  3. ↑ Haug, R.T. and Haug, H.T. (1993) Practical Handbook of Compost Engineering. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.
  4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost [accessed 2-2-23]
Retrieved from "https://climatewiki.earth/wiki/index.php?title=Compost&oldid=5072"