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Carbon Turnover and Ammonia Emissions during Composting of Biowaste at Different Temperatures
Author(s) -
Eklind Ylva,
Sundberg Cecilia,
Smårs Sven,
Steger Kristin,
Sundh Ingvar,
Kirchmann Holger,
Jönsson Håkan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2006.0253
Subject(s) - compost , mineralization (soil science) , decomposition , ammonia , chemistry , chemical process of decomposition , nitrogen , carbon fibers , environmental chemistry , nitrogen cycle , mesophile , biomass (ecology) , pulp and paper industry , waste management , materials science , ecology , organic chemistry , bacteria , biology , composite number , engineering , composite material , genetics
The effects of different process temperatures (40, 55, and 67°C) during composting of source‐separated household waste were studied in a 200 L compost reactor at an oxygen concentration of 16%. The overall decomposition measured as carbon mineralization, decomposition of different carbon constituents, and the dynamics of nitrogen mineralization and the microbial community, are reported. Ammonia emissions at 67°C were more than double those at lower temperatures, and they were lowest at 40°C. The decomposition rate, measured as CO 2 emission, was highest at 55°C. Decomposition of crude fat was slower at 40°C than at 55 and 67°C. The peak in microbial biomass was largest in the run at 40°C, where substantial differences were seen in the microbial community structure and succession compared to thermophilic temperatures. Biowaste composting can be optimized to obtain both a high decomposition rate and low ammonia emissions by controlling the process at about 55°C in the initial, high‐rate stage. To reduce ammonia emissions it seems worthwhile to reduce the temperature after an initial high‐temperature stage.