title: Low pH as an inhibiting factor in the transition from mesophilic to thermophilic phase in composting.
abstract: During composting of household waste, the acidity of the material affects the process during the initial phase of rising temperature. In this study, the effects of temperature (36-46 degrees C) and pH (4.6-9.2) on the respiration rate during the early phase of composting were investigated in two different composts. A respiration method where small compost samples were incubated at constant temperature was used. The respiration rate was strongly reduced at 46 degrees C and pH below 6, compared to composts with a higher pH or lower temperature. The combination of high temperature and low pH is a possible adverse factor in large-scale composting of food waste.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biometry and Engineering, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7032, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. cecilia.sundberg@lt.slu.se
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sundberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smårs
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jönsson
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D005735:Garbage; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D012987:Soil; D013548:Sweden; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide