composting
DESCRIPTION
Composting. How soil forms in nature…. Definition Organic compounds… are broken down into soil. Composting: The controlled decomposition of kitchen and yard waste to increase nutrients of soil. Browns and Greens Tree products, fruits and vegetables…. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Composting
How soil forms in nature…
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DefinitionOrganic compounds… are broken down into soil.
• Composting: The controlled decomposition of kitchen and yard waste to increase nutrients of soil.
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Browns and GreensTree products, fruits and vegetables…
• Browns: Carbon based compounds from trees; energy for microbes (carbohydrates).
• Greens: Nitrogen and carbon compounds from fruits and vegetables (source of protein).
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Temperature
• Temperature is a function or decomposition rate. Higher the temperature, the quicker it decomposes.
• As microorganisms decompose the organic materials, their body heat causes the temperature in the pile to rise dramatically.
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Heat changes things…
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Decomposition is like Respiration:CO2 + H2O+nutrients+heat released…
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Oxygen
Aerobic Bacteria-> CO2 +H2O + nutrients+ heatFasterNo smellDecomposes matterWith oxygen present…Soil/surface water
Anaerobic Bacteria->CH4 + H2S + nutrients +heatSlowerSmells Methane/hydrogen sulfide (toxic)Decomposes matter with no oxygen…Landfills/undergroundSeptic Tanks
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Moisture
• Too dry and nothing happens…• Too wet and it stinks it becomes anaerobic
Ideally, home compost piles would contain 40 - 60% moisture. It should feel as moist as a wrung out sponge. Dry carbon layers can be watered as the pile is built, then with each turning, add more water as necessary.
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Soil pH
• pH range from 6-8 pH unitsFor living organisms.First the compost may turn Acidic and then neutralize over Time. Anything with Sugar Will ferment and turn sour…
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Soil Food Web
Energy flows from plant materials through these organisms and the nutrients are left for plants to absorb and use.
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Primary Consumers
They break down the organics into nutrients in the soil. Aerobic Bacteria do most of the work.
• Fungi also break down waste (cellulose) stuff tough for bacteria to digest.
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Secondary Consumers
• Protozoans (Diverse) Protozoa obtain their food from organic matter in the same way as bacteria do but also act as secondary consumers ingesting bacteria and fungi.
1. Rotifers : 2. Ciliates( Paramecium):
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Secondary Consumers(Continued)
3. Amoebas:
4. Flagellates:
They consume bacteria (controlling populations) and release that nitrogen into soil for plants.
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Tertiary Consumers
• These organisms eat protozoans and return that nitrogen to the soil for plants…
Nematodes:
Insects:
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Finished Compost
• Just like nature, composting improves soils…• Benefits:• 1. Plant growth nutrients in compost include
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.• 2. fixes soil structure• 3. Adds beneficial microbes to better cycle
nutrients• 4. Reduces plant diseases