March 10, 2018. She is a certified Master Gardener, Master Composter, and Master Entomologist. They are very efficient in turning waste into compost. You want to improve soil structure and fertility in a future garden bed. There are two classifications for the types of bacteria that will break down organic matter. It is often stated that heaps are either aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic composting is decomposition of organic matter using microorganisms that require oxygen. In anaerobic composting, the … In an anaerobic system the majority of the chemical energy contained within the starting material is released by methanogenic bacteria as methane. Aerobic composting produces compost, water (both gaseous vapor and liquid leachate), and volatilized gases (ammonia, carbon dioxide and, occasionally, gases perceived as odors). Soil is the lynchpin to life as we know it. Aerobic composting works quickly but requires a high amount of maintenance, as the moisture and temperature need to be monitored closely. Most importantly, they both keep waste out of landfills. Aboveground aerobic decomposers can withstand higher temperatures than their anaerobic counterparts, and they generate heat as a byproduct of their activity. The general term “aerobic” comes from the word “air”, and specifically, “oxygen”. It sanitizes the feedstock/ waste which is put through it, as long as the temperature is held above a required temperature for a pre-defined time period. The process involves collection of feedstock, grinding of large woody material into smaller chips, and processing on concrete pads that trap any water runoff. Anaerobic composting works without oxygen. Aerobic bacteria requires oxygen to survive. The microbes responsible for composting are naturally occurring and live in the moisture surrounding organic matter. Anaerobic composting is more suitable for large corporate and industrial operations. Compost piles take about a month or so to complete the process of decomposition. Two broad categories of microorganisms consume and decompose organic matter: those that need air (aerobic) and those that don’t (anaerobic). On project specific factors, anaerobic digestion (AD) is a good bet economically and technically in some situations, and composting (and sometimes … Most folks who compost rely on aerobic, aboveground decomposition. To overcome these limitations external (artificial) heat is normally added. It depends. Anaerobic decomposition in backyard compost piles is generally undesirable due to objectionable odors that result. Anaerobic decomposers get right to work, with no need for fresh O2. Aerobic composting vs. vermicomposting: which to choose? The Chinese anaerobic methodology was developed as an above ground, layered system, designed for the incorporation of human waste composting over a period of three years. However, as organisms deplete the supply of oxygen from the existing spaces and pores between bits of organic matter, the decomposition process slows. When free of contaminants, it is an excellent soil fertilizer as it increases its humus content. Additionally, CO2 is only 1/20th as harmful to the environment as methane (the main by-product of anaerobic degradation). “Anaerobic” means the opposite: needing little or no oxygen. A well-constructed compost pile doesn’t smell bad. The three major segments of composting are anaerobic composting, aerobic composting, and vermicomposting. but the 'cold' or anaerobic form I'm finding a little tougher to understand, and had to do a quite a bit of research. Wednesday, 5 February 2014 | HOTBIN Composting. 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