what is the definition of anaerobic composting?

Answer 1

Anaerobic Compost is made with organisms that do not like air. These are the creatures that in nature do their work in the dank places we humans tend to avoid. Swamps, bogs, deep cold lakes etc. They will work on compost, but they work slowly. They tend to release noxious gases that are quite disagreeable. If you have ever left a bag of grass clippings and then tore it open a week later you have had a close encounter of the third kind with these creatures.

While anaerobic composting may be less labor intensive because you do not need to turn the pile, it is smellier, and takes a lot longer to finish out as the organisms do not have as high a metabolism. They do however tend to reduce the volume of the pile a lot less than the aerobic organisms. This means that more humus may be the result. To make an anaerobic pile gather the materials together and wet the pile. Cover it with the tarp and let it sit. The pile will initially be colonized by aerobic bacteria, but when they have used up the air and begin to die off, they will gradually be replaced by the anaerobic bacteria. All you have to do is monitor the moisture level of the pile. If the pile develops into a smelly mess it has too much nitrogen and you should add some carbon based material to it turning it as you do this. This will reduce the odors some and get it heating up again. But in a week or so it will again be an anaerobic pile.

Anaerobic piles will tend to have more likelihood to have an overabundance of nitrogen causing the dark slimy feel due to the fact that the organisms in such a pile have less of a need for nitrogen and high energy. They work slower, and the nitrogen will tend to convert to ammonia making a bit of a smelly mess. In the aerobic pile the bacteria use the nitrogen all the time, keeping such a condition from happening as much. In fact if the aerobic pile is getting smelly and slimy it is often enough to just turn it and renew the population of aerobic bacteria, they will quickly convert the nitrogen into nitrates and make the pile less offensive.

Answer 2

Definition Of Anaerobic

Answer 3

anaerobic composting is when your compost pile doesn't isn't getting oxygen. The biodegradation reactions all are completed without oxygen. This is slower and stinks more than aerobic composting which allows oxygen to circulate the pile.

Answer 4

Hi. Composting in the absence of air. : http://www.rivenrock.com/composttypes.htm