Abstract

The purpose of this study was to collect the nutrients contained in human urine (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) by compostint with grass leaves and fruit peel and to increase the compost activity by decreasing the C:N ratio. Compost temperature was used as an indicator of compost activity. The test demonstrated the importance of the structure in the material for good aeration of the compost, as ground raw material maintained lower temperatures than non-ground. Adding urine increased the nutrient content of the compost. Some of the nitrogen was lost as ammonia emissions but there was still more nitrogen and presumably more other macro- and micronutrients in the compost after urine addition. Addition of approximately 10-15% urine to the wet weight of the compost material increased the compost reaction and rendered a higher top temperature of the treatment. Thus, adding urine to the compost process can render better sanitised and stable mature compost in a shorter time period compared to when no urine is added

Keywords

Composting; fertiliser; human urine; plants; nutrients; temperature

Published in

Title: Ecosan - closing the loop proceedings of the 2nd international symposium, 7th - 11th april 2003, Lübeck, Germany
ISBN: 3-00-012791-7
Publisher: The 2nd International Symposium on Ecological Sanitation, Incorporating the 1st IWA Specialist Group Conference on Sustainable Sanitation

Conference

The 2nd International Symposium on Ecological Sanitation, Incorporating the 1st IWA Specialist Group Conference on Sustainable Sanitation

SLU Authors

• Vinnerås, Björn

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/4215