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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
14:34
Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
Published on: May 6, 2010
Biodegradability of fecal nitrogen in composting process.
Shinya Hotta1, Naoyuki Funamizu
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita-13, Nishi-8, Sapporo, Japan. zhenye@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Bioresource Technology
|June 15, 2007
Summary
This study investigated fecal nitrogen biodegradability during composting. Approximately 34% of initial fecal nitrogen remained as biologically inert organic nitrogen in the compost material.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Fecal nitrogen management is crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.
- Understanding nitrogen transformation during composting is essential for nutrient recycling and reducing environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the biodegradability of fecal nitrogen during the composting process.
- To differentiate between inert and biodegradable fractions of fecal nitrogen.
- To assess the formation of biologically inert organic nitrogen during composting.
Main Methods:
- Fecal nitrogen was fractionated into an originally inert component (N(XI)) and a slowly biodegradable component (N(XS)).
- The composting process was monitored to evaluate the transformation of nitrogen fractions.
- Endogenous respiration of heterotrophic microorganisms was considered for the formation of inert organic nitrogen (N(XIB)).
Main Results:
- Fecal nitrogen comprised 75% slowly biodegradable (N(XS)) and 25% originally inert (N(XI)) fractions.
- Approximately 9% of the initial fecal nitrogen was converted into a new inert form (N(XIB)) through microbial activity.
- A total of approximately 34% of the initial fecal nitrogen remained in the compost as biologically inert organic nitrogen (N(XI) + N(XIB)).
Conclusions:
- Composting significantly reduces the biodegradable fraction of fecal nitrogen.
- A substantial portion of fecal nitrogen is converted into a stable, biologically inert form during composting.
- This inert nitrogen fraction has reduced potential for environmental loss, contributing to nutrient retention in compost.
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