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Pyrolysis‐Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry of the Four Phases of Cow Manure Composting
Author(s) -
Bochove Eric,
Couillard Denis,
Schnitzer Morris,
Schulten HansRolf
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1996.03615995006000060024x
Subject(s) - chemistry , mesophile , pyrolysis , wax , phenols , thermophile , mass spectrometry , manure , monomer , organic chemistry , chicken manure , organic matter , food science , chromatography , agronomy , biology , bacteria , raw material , genetics , enzyme , polymer
Pyrolysis‐field ionization mass spectrometry (Py‐FIMS) was used to analyze organic matter formed by the composting of cow manure. Analyses were done on samples withdrawn during the four characteristic phases (mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling, and maturation) of the composting process. The organic components that were identified included carbohydrates, phenols, monomeric and dimeric lignins, n‐C 38 to n‐C 51 n‐alkyl monoesters, n‐C 15 to n‐C 34 fatty acids, sterols, and heterocyclic N. Sterols of animal and plant origins were detected in relatively large amounts. Among the heterocyclic N forms, indole predominated. During the thermophilic phase, carbohydrates and n‐fatty acids increased. During the cooling phase, concentrations of carbohydrates increased, while dimeric lignins degraded to monomeric lignins and complex plant waxes to n‐fatty acids. The maturation phase was characterized by decreases in concentrations of all identifiable components, indicating the formation of chemically more complex structures.