Abstract

Composting can be a source of N2O and CH4 production. In this investigation, different compost heaps of organic household waste were monitored with the focus on potential formation of CH4 and N2O in the heaps and emission of these gases from the heaps. The studied compost heaps had different compost ages, turning intervals and compost sizes. The analysed compost gases contained between 1-3421 mu L of N2O-N L-1 and 0-470 mL of CH4 L-1. The emission rates of N2O and CH4 from the compost heaps were between 1-1464 mg N2O m(-2) day(-1) and 0-119 000 mg CH4 m(-)2 day(-1). These very large differences in compost gas composition and emission indicate the importance of compost management. The results also give an understanding of where in the composting process an increasing emission of N2O and CH4 can occur.

Keywords

compost profiles; compost gas composition; decomposition; greenhouse gases; volatile fatty acids

Published in

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
2000, Volume: 62, number: 3, pages: 317-331
Publisher: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL

SLU Authors

• Beck-Friis, Barbro

  • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Pell, Mikael

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sonesson, Ulf

  • Department of Agricultural Engineering, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jönsson, Håkan

  • Department of Agricultural Engineering, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kirchmann, Holger

  • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006245227491

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/44208