Aerobic & Anaerobic Composting
Composting is the process of mixing together various organic material and encouraging it to rapidly decompose. It mimics what nature does over a long time. With sufficient oxygen, aerobic bacteria do much of the work. However, if there is not enough oxygen, or if it is used up, then anaerobic bacteria continue the composting process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Turning the Compost
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Aerobic bacteria live wherever oxygen is available. By turning a compost pile regularly, you provides fresh air for the bacteria to work, which creates high temperatures in the pile. If the pile is not turned, it soon creates conditions where aerobic bacteria cannot thrive. This also happens when a compost pile is compressed, such as when excessive leaves are stuffed into a compost bin.
Odors
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If aerobic bacteria are present, and the correct ratio of carbon-based and nitrogen-based material are mixed together, the compost will have a sweetish odor similar to that of a forest floor during autumn. Anaerobic bacteria produce an odor that is much more unpleasant, and more like manure.
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Time
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Anaerobic bacteria work much slower than aerobic bacteria, but they will eventually turn the organic material into compost. They do not use as much energy as aerobic bacteria so the finished compost will retain much of its bulk.
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References
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