title: Characterization of Odorant Compounds from Mechanical Aerated Pile Composting and Static Aerated Pile Composting.
abstract: We studied airborne contaminants (airborne particulates and odorous compounds) emitted from compost facilities in South Korea. There are primarily two different types of composting systems operating in Korean farms, namely mechanical aerated pile composting (MAPC) and aerated static pile composting (SAPC). In this study, we analyzed various particulate matters (PM10, PM7, PM2.5, PM1, and total suspended particles), volatile organic compounds and ammonia, and correlated these airborne contaminants with microclimatic parameters, i.e., temperature and relative humidity. Most of the analyzed airborne particulates (PM7, PM2.5, and PM1) were detected in high concentration at SAPC facilities compered to MAPC; however these differences were statistically non-significant. Similarly, most of the odorants did not vary significantly between MAPC and SAPC facilities, except for dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and skatole. DMS concentrations were significantly higher in MAPC facilities, whereas skatole concentrations were significantly higher in SAPC facilities. The microclimate variables also did not vary significantly between MAPC and SAPC facilities, and did not correlate significantly with most of the airborne particles and odorous compounds, suggesting that microclimate variables did not influence their emission from compost facilities. These findings provide insight into the airborne contaminants that are emitted from compost facilities and the two different types of composting agitation systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea.
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea.
authors.forename: Joonhee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea ; Resourcification Research Center for Crop-Animal Farming (ReCAF), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Lim
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Ammonia; Compost; Manure; Microclimate Variables; Odorant; Volatile Organic Compounds