Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
As shown by Luz Cayuela et al. (
2012
), both methane and nitrous oxide (N
2
O)
can be generated during ordinary composting. The challenge is to maintain condi-
tions such that such releases are minimized, and/or the generated gases are subse-
quently changed to benign or beneficial forms before they can be released from the
pile. In the cited study methane emissions were detected during the whole com-
posting cycle, whereas the nitrous oxide was observed only during the first day
of composting, before thermal conditions had been properly established. Ideally
methane would tend to be oxidized to CO
2
during its filtration through over-lying
layers of the compost pile.
3.6
Concluding Statement
The recent publications reviewed in this article make it clear that interest in the sci-
ence and technology of composting is very strong. Lignocellulosic materials clearly
play a major role in composting systems, and this fact is reflected in the topics of
recent publications. A general picture that emerges from the literature is that com-
posting, if done with care, can be considered to be a relatively mature, reliable, and
environmentally sound technology. Composting is an appropriate means of han-
dling otherwise unwanted wastes from yards, agriculture, meat productions, sew-
age, and the like and converting well-balanced mixtures into a valuable component
for addition to soils.
References
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Tricho-
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