Re: California Composters Face New Air Pollution Rules

From: Elaine Ingham (Soilfoodweb@AOL.COM)
Date: Thu Jan 16 2003 - 12:13:22 EST


This might convince composting operations that they have to keep the compost
aerobic, and turn when the compost needs to be aerated, rather than on a time
clock. What is stink? Anaerobic gases, that what the smells are.

"But we turn once a week, whether the compost needs it or not". No wonder
the stuff goes anaerobic and stinks.

And if it stinks, it is not compost. Composting is, by definition, an
AEROBIC process. Composting is NOT an anaerobic process.

If "compost" goes anaerobic, what happens to your N? Lost as ammonia. So,
why do people think "compost" doesn't have adequate N? Because people who
don't understand microbiology have been making and testing "compost".

Why would you think stinky, smelly stuff would be good to grow plants in?

If the "compost" goes anaerobic, what happens to your S? Lost as hydrogen
sulfide gas. Yep. Into the atmosphere. You gonna grow plants? After you
have lost the fertility as a gas?

Allowing organic matter to become anaerobic is not a good idea. Piles must
be turned based on temperature and oxygen (or CO2). Not because the pile is
supposed to get turned every second Tuesday. Asking for trouble.

Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
www.soilfoodweb.com


.



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Mon Apr 21 2003 - 15:26:37 EDT