http://http://www.quietyoutube.cowww.quietyoutube.com/watch?m/watch?v=edH488k5Rngv=edH488k5Rng

So…

We can decay biomass (living matter)

by using composting!

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Let’s Talk About It!!

What is Composting?What is Composting? Composting is the transformation of Composting is the transformation of

biomass through decomposition into a soil-biomass through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost.like material called compost.

Invertebrates (insects and earthworms) Invertebrates (insects and earthworms) and micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) and micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) help in transforming the biomass into help in transforming the biomass into compost. compost.

Composting is a natural form of recycling Composting is a natural form of recycling which continuously occurs in nature.which continuously occurs in nature.

During decomposition, bacteria and fungi During decomposition, bacteria and fungi feed, reproduce and give off great amounts feed, reproduce and give off great amounts of heat.of heat.

Do you remember that Decay is a Chemical Change?

Do you remember evidence of chemical change? Bubbling? Fizzing? Foaming? Becoming colder “on its own”? Becoming hotter “on its own”? What evidence of chemical change do you see here?

http://www.compost.org/conf2006/4ResearchMatters/ExtractingHeatfromCompost.pdf

Do you see Do you see evidence of evidence of thermal thermal energy energy being being produced in produced in this this compost compost pile?pile?

http://www.css.cornell.edu/compost/why.html http://hotdogjam.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/compost_heap.jpg

Heat waterHeat water Run heated water Run heated water

under flooring to under flooring to keep houses warmkeep houses warm

Heat greenhouses Heat greenhouses to grow food in to grow food in winterwinter

What can you think What can you think of? of?

What if we What if we couldcouldcapture thatcapture thatthermal energy thermal energy and put it to and put it to use?use?

http://www.magicsoil.com/Heat/index.htm

So…So…CompostingComposting

cancanprovideprovideenergy –energy –

THERMAL ENERGY!THERMAL ENERGY!

After the biomass has decayed, it is now rich in nutrients (such as nitrogen) and can be added to soil to help plants grow.

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/images/g06956figure01.jpg

See the Whole ProcessSee the Whole Processon the Next Few Slides!on the Next Few Slides!

See the Whole Process on the Next Few Slides!

Reduces landfillsReduces landfills Decays biomass (which would be Decays biomass (which would be

trash)trash) Chemically changes bio-trash into Chemically changes bio-trash into

nutrient-rich soil, which can be used nutrient-rich soil, which can be used as fertilizeras fertilizer

Produces thermal energy, which can Produces thermal energy, which can be harnessedbe harnessed

So…..So…..Why is Composting Why is Composting Good?Good?

To promote the breakdown of organic materials, you need 3 things:A good carbon:nitrogen ratio (4 parts carbon:1 part nitrogen)

Sources of carbon (“browns” or dry, hard materials) are dry leaves, sawdust, shredded newspaper, hay, straw, and eggshells.

Sources of nitrogen (“greens” or wet, soft materials) are manure, green plants, grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, and tea bags.

Water, which you add whenever you add new dry materials to the pileMicroorganisms, which are introduced by adding a few shovelfuls of dirt to the pile

What to compost:

Leftover cooked food (it attracts animals, contains fats and oils that are slow to break down, and contains salt that is harmful to plants)

Meats (raw or cooked) and cheeses (they attract animals, contain fats and oils that are slow to break down, and contain salt that is harmful to plants)

Inorganic material like plastic or metal (it won’t break down)

Cloth and glossy paper (they take too long to break down and contain chemicals that are harmful to plants )

Pet waste (it makes it smell bad and can introduce disease)

Living weeds with roots (they may grow in your bin)

What not to compost:

The plant materials should decompose into compost within 4 months in warm weather, longer under cool or dry conditions.

The smaller the pieces of material, the faster they will compost. Shred newspaper, crumble eggshells, dry leaves, etc.

Warning signs: If the pile is not hot, it lacks either nitrogen or moisture. If the pile smells like ammonia, it is too wet or too tightly packed

for oxygen circulation. If the compost is slow to break down, the pieces you added may be

too large, or it’s too cold outside. When the compost looks like dirt, remove it from the pile

and distribute to lawn and plants in your yard. Distribute evenly on top of dirt; don’t let the compost touch

the stems of plants (unless they have bark) because the compost will weaken the structure of the stems.

Important InformationImportant Information