Composting Summative- Ranveer, Anoushka and Ayaan
Stage one: the mesophilic phase
What happens in this stage?
What is the role of the microbes in this stage?
What is getting composted?
There are 2 parts for Composting. Nitrogen (Green) and Carbon (Brown). Some things to Compost in Nitrogen are Green leaves, flowers, egg shells, vegetable + fruit peels, Tea leaves and Garden waste.
Some things to compost in Carbon are Dry leaves, paper egg cartons, paper napkins, Dried grass, Shredded newspaper, and Sawdust.
Stage 2: the thermophilic phase
What happens at this stage?
During the thermophilic phase, high temperatures quicken the actinomycetes breakdown proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates. The amount of the high energy compounds become weaken, which results in the temperature of the compost gradually decreasing. In addition, the mesophilic microorganisms once again take over for the final phase of cooling.
What is the role of the microbes in this stage
Stage 3: the cooling phase
What happens in this stage?
What is the role of the microbes in this stage?
The mesophilic bacteria can include E.Coli and other types of bacteria from the human intestinal area. There is a huge number of molds, yeasts, and mushrooms in the mesophilic phase. Also, the mesophilic microbes return to the active states. The mesophilic bacteria go wrong insoluble, voluntarily degradable compounds. (Like starches and sugars).
Stage 4: the curing phase
The final stage of composting is known as the curing stage. This stage is very long and yet crucial. The duration of this stage can be up to 4 months long.
What is the role of the microbes in this stage?
Once the organic refuse begins to experience the process of composting, then the Mesophilic bacteria increase. The compost in the mesophilic phase is between 20°C to 40°C.
The cooling phase is when the microorganisms that have been executed by the thermophiles return to the compost and start being active again, digesting some more organic materials. This phase is also known as the several-month phase
The microorganisms start absorbing the materials. Some macro-organisms like earthworms and sow bugs also appear.