title: Effect of light Sphagnum peat on odour formation in the early stages of biowaste composting.
abstract: In the present study, we investigated the effects of two bulking materials, Sphagnum peat and pine wood chips, on the early stages of biowaste composting in two pilot-scale processes. Emphasis was placed on studying the formation conditions of malodorous compost gases in the initial phases of the processes. The results showed that gas emission leaving an open windrow and a closed drum composting system contained elevated concentrations of fermentative microbial metabolites when acid Sphagnum peat (pH 3.2) was used as a bulking material. Moreover, the gas emission of the peat amended drum composter contained a high concentration of odour (up to 450,000oum(-3) of air). The highest odour values in the outlet gas of peat amended composts coincided with the elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds such as acetoin and buthanedion. We conclude that the acidifying qualities of composting substrates or bulking material may intensify odour emission from biowaste composts and prolong the early stages of the composting process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73 C, FIN-15140, Lahti, Finland. Jukka.Kurola@Helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Jukka M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kurola
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Merja H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kontro
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talves
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romantschuk
mesh_terms: D000093:Acetoin / Q000032:analysis; D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005387:Finland; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D044003:Sphagnopsida / Q000378:metabolism*; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D012987:Soil; D000093:Acetoin