[USCC] Compost nitrogen forms
Will Brinton
will at woodsend.org
Tue Jul 3 15:05:41 CDT 2007
Hi Steve
One really can not compare or say "soil and compost" in the same breath particularly
as regards testing nitrogen - in any form. Soils are relatively stable- composts, the
opposite.
Soil and composts differ by orders of magnitude in many nutrient (and carbon)
categories, and a compost will change in a week perhaps more than a soil is likely to
do in a year or certainly a season.
Example: ranges of soil NO3 could be 0 - 100, in compost more likely 0 to 2,000 mg/kg
dry basis
Ranges of ammonium (NH3 + NH4) in soil 0 - 150, in compost 0 - 50,000
Range of ammonia gas (NH3) in soil, 0 - 10, in compost 0 - 30,000.
Have you ever looked at the Solvita kit: it shows volatile ammonia (headspace of
compost) separately from dissolved ammonium
and is sensitive over the range of 0 - 25,000 ppm. Just today we had two biosolids
composts register 20,000 ppm ammonia.
That'll grow big corn but probably damage your veges!
Will Brinton
compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com wrote:
QUESTION:
I'm looking for interpretive guides to understanding
ammonium-nitrogen in comparison to nitrate-nitrogen on
lab tests for soils and composts.
For example, what are the normal ranges for L, M, H, VH.
Interpretive numbers on NO3-N is easy to find, but
guidelines on NH4-N seems to be scarce.
And then how do you interpret the numbers in relation to
soil/compost activity when one is 2x-4x higher than the
other.
It appears that NH4-N is normally performed for
manure analysis as part of a nutrient management
plan.
Much appreciated,
Steve Diver
William F Brinton jr President
Woods End Laboratories, Inc.
William F Brinton jr President
Woods End Laboratories, Inc.
290 Belgrade Road Mt Vernon ME 04352
www.solvita.com
207 293 2457 ext 17
207 322 7361 cell
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> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
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> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Soil texture analysis lab procedure (frank)
> 2. Re: Soil texture analysis lab procedure (Greg Evanylo)
> 3. Re: How much C&D wood waste & drywall & is being composted?
> (KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us)
> 4. Re: Soil texture analysis lab procedure (Tamara Thomas)
> 5. Re: Hose reel wear & tear (Craig Coker)
> 6. Re: Soil texture analysis lab procedure (Severtson, Peter (ECY))
> 7. Soil test levels for nitrogen in compost (Steve Diver)
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure
> From:
> frank <frank at compostlab.com>
> Date:
> Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:50:18 -0700
> To:
> Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> Craig,
> Most particle size analysis for silt and clay is based on the settling
> of rock density material in water over time. Organic particles do not do
> this so will give erroneous results.
>
> So you can remove the organic fraction (float it out, ash it, digest in
> acid) then measure the inorganic fraction . Or you can measure the
> organic particles along with the inorganic particles using a particle
> analyzer that uses a light beam into a beaker, magnetic stir bar and
> mixing. Or get an idea of size under a microscope.
>
> Then we have the problem with measurement. Most require a size
> distribution based on weight. But you can see the problem when you have
> light woody materials along side heavy rock materials. And when
> reviewing the methods above you can see a few are based on weight and
> others comparing size. Some methods we use call for removing organic
> matter first. Some want shell material removed and other 'life' caused
> material removed to get size of the parent material.
>
> There are some procedures based on volume of material but they are
> mostly for > 63 um size.(sand).
>
> Frank
>
>
>
>
>
> Craig Coker wrote:
>
>> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
>> Show
>> Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
>> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
>> of the composting and organics recycling industry.
>> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
>> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
>> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Colleagues:
>>
>>
>>
>> Can anyone recommend soil texture testing procedures other than the
>> Bouyoucos Hydrometer method? A client of mine is making up manufactured
>> specialty soils from their compost plus rock fines from a nearby quarry.
>> Apparently, this texture analysis procedure is giving false readings
>> on Clay
>> content in the manufactured soil sample due to the turbidity of the water
>> (the finest of the rock fines) in the hydrometer, which is causing the
>> soil
>> mix to not meet the landscape architect's spec of no more than 5% clay
>> content.
>>
>>
>>
>> Many thanks!
>>
>> Craig
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Craig Coker
>>
>> Coker Composting & Consulting
>>
>> 3331 Glade Creek Blvd. Ste. 7
>>
>> Roanoke, VA 24012
>>
>> (540) 904-2698 Fax: (540) 904-6732
>>
>> Cell: (540) 874-5168
>>
>> <mailto:craigcoker at cox.net> craigcoker at cox.net
>>
>> <http://www.cokercompost.com> www.cokercompost.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
>> Show,
>> February 8 - 12th, 2008 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland,
>> California. Check it out at www.compostingcouncil.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>>
>> This month's sponsor of the USCC Discussion List is:
>>
>> Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy
>> e-mail alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry
>> professionals.
>> Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com
>>
>> _______________________________________
>> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
>> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>>
>> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
>> Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>>
>> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
>> website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>>
>> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have
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>>
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>> send a message to the List Manager at
>> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure
> From:
> Greg Evanylo <gevanylo at vt.edu>
> Date:
> Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:15:25 -0400
> To:
> compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>
> To:
> compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>
>
> An alternative to the hydrometer method is the pipette method, which was
> developed in the early 1920's and adopted by the International Society
> of Soil Science in 1929. This sedimentation procedure was modified with
> time, especially with regard to dispersion, and included in the initial
> ASA Methods of Soil Science: Day, P.R. 1965. Particle fractionation and
> particle-size analysis. p. 545-567. In C.A. Black et al. (ed.) Methods
> of soil analysis: Physical and mineralogical properties, including
> statistics of measurements and sampling. Agronomy 9. American Society
> of Agronomy.
>
> The monograph was revised and updated in 1986.
>
> greg
>
> At 11:56 AM 6/30/2007, Craig Coker wrote:
>
>> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
>> Show
>> Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
>> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
>> of the composting and organics recycling industry.
>> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
>> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
>> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>
>> Colleagues:
>>
>>
>>
>> Can anyone recommend soil texture testing procedures other than the
>> Bouyoucos Hydrometer method? A client of mine is making up manufactured
>> specialty soils from their compost plus rock fines from a nearby quarry.
>> Apparently, this texture analysis procedure is giving false readings
>> on Clay
>> content in the manufactured soil sample due to the turbidity of the water
>> (the finest of the rock fines) in the hydrometer, which is causing the
>> soil
>> mix to not meet the landscape architect's spec of no more than 5% clay
>> content.
>>
>>
>>
>> Many thanks!
>>
>> Craig
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Craig Coker
>>
>> Coker Composting & Consulting
>>
>> 3331 Glade Creek Blvd. Ste. 7
>>
>> Roanoke, VA 24012
>>
>> (540) 904-2698 Fax: (540) 904-6732
>>
>> Cell: (540) 874-5168
>>
>> <mailto:craigcoker at cox.net> craigcoker at cox.net
>>
>> <http://www.cokercompost.com> www.cokercompost.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
>> Show,
>> February 8 - 12th, 2008 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland,
>> California. Check it out at www.compostingcouncil.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>>
>> This month's sponsor of the USCC Discussion List is:
>>
>> Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy
>> e-mail alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry
>> professionals.
>> Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com
>>
>> _______________________________________
>> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
>> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>>
>> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
>> Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>>
>> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
>> website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>>
>> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have
>> their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and
>> information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other
>> options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>>
>> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems,
>> send a message to the List Manager at
>> compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>
>
> Greg Evanylo
> Professor and Extension Specialist
> Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences (0403)
> 426 Smyth Hall, Virginia Tech
> Blacksburg, VA 24061
> Ph: 540/231-9739; Fax: 540/231-3075
> gevanylo at vt.edu
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] How much C&D wood waste & drywall & is being composted?
> From:
> KPowell at kdhe.state.ks.us
> Date:
> Mon, 2 Jul 2007 10:45:06 -0500
> To:
> Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> In Kansas we have one facility which adds drywall to their compost mainly
> for disposal purposes. We do not track the quantity of drywall on a basis
> which would give any concrete number. You might try contacting the folks
> at Construction & Demolition Recycling Magazine. Not sure if they can
> help, but it is the best source for information I have found.
>
>
> Ken Powell
> Environmental Scientist
> SW Processing Facilities Unit
> Kansas Department of Health & Environment
> Bureau of Waste Management
> 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
> Topeka, KS 66612-1366
> Phone: (785) 296-1121
> Fax: (785) 296-1592
> E-mail kpowell at kdhe.state.ks.us
> www.kdheks.gov/waste
>
>
>
>
>
> Peck.Cara at epamail
> .epa.gov
> Sent by: To
> compost-bounces at m compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> ailman.cloudnet.c cc
> om
> Subject
> [USCC] How much C&D wood waste &
> 06/21/2007 11:46 drywall & is being composted?
> AM
>
>
> Please respond to
> Compost
> Discussion List
> <compost at mailman.
> cloudnet.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show
> Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of
> the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> Does anyone know any sources of where to find out how much construction
> and demolition debris (typically in the form of wood waste and drywall)
> is being composted annually in the US? This is in an effort to increase
> the accuracy of C&D diversion measurement. Any help would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
> Cara Peck
> U.S. EPA Region 9
> Office of Pollution Prevention and Solid Waste
> (415)972-3382
> Peck.Cara at epa.gov
>
>
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> This month's sponsor of the USCC Discussion List is:
>
> Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy e-mail
> alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry
> professionals.
> Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com
>
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation,
> or the Board of Directors.
>
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website
> at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
> posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information
> regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to:
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
> message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure
> From:
> "Tamara Thomas" <tnthomas at terre-source.com>
> Date:
> Mon, 2 Jul 2007 10:49:56 -0700
> To:
> "'Compost Discussion List'" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> "'Compost Discussion List'" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> Craig,
> There is an engineering test - Atterberg Limits that analyzes for
> the behavior of the soil based on clay content. It provides an empirical
> result that relates to the plasticity of the clay fines. You could try
> that, but I couldn't guess whether the LA would accept those results or not.
> You could at least make the argument. Any engineering soils lab can do the
> testing for you.
>
> Tamara Thomas, P.E.
> Terre-SourceLLC
> Helping Compost Happen!
> 360-336-3536 Office
> 360-336-3530 FAX
> 425-844-6068 Field
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Craig Coker [mailto:craigcoker at cox.net]
> Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 8:57 AM
> To: 'Compost Discussion List'
> Subject: [USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure
>
> Colleagues:
>
>
>
> Can anyone recommend soil texture testing procedures other than the
> Bouyoucos Hydrometer method? A client of mine is making up manufactured
> specialty soils from their compost plus rock fines from a nearby quarry.
> Apparently, this texture analysis procedure is giving false readings on Clay
> content in the manufactured soil sample due to the turbidity of the water
> (the finest of the rock fines) in the hydrometer, which is causing the soil
> mix to not meet the landscape architect's spec of no more than 5% clay
> content.
>
>
>
> Many thanks!
>
> Craig
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Craig Coker
>
> Coker Composting & Consulting
>
> 3331 Glade Creek Blvd. Ste. 7
>
> Roanoke, VA 24012
>
> (540) 904-2698 Fax: (540) 904-6732
>
> Cell: (540) 874-5168
>
> <mailto:craigcoker at cox.net> craigcoker at cox.net
>
> <http://www.cokercompost.com> www.cokercompost.com
>
>
>
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show,
> February 8 - 12th, 2008 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland,
> California. Check it out at www.compostingcouncil.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Hose reel wear & tear
> From:
> "Craig Coker" <craigcoker at cox.net>
> Date:
> Mon, 2 Jul 2007 14:54:27 -0400
> To:
> "'Compost Discussion List'" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> "'Compost Discussion List'" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> Tim:
>
> Thanks, I appreciate your insights. My client is the Mecklenburg County
> (NC) Solid Waste Dept. which operates a 80,000 tpy yard waste composting
> facility in Charlotte. We are working on a master plan for an upgrade and
> expansion, and I'm trying to convince them of the wisdom of irrigating
> windrows with captured storm water (prior to PFRP).
>
> Would it be possible to see your irrigation system sometime? I've seen the
> one in use at Novozymes in Franklinton, NC and am helping Ken Newman at
> Royal Oak install one at his facility this summer, but am always interested
> in seeing how others have done it.
>
> Many thanks,
> Craig
>
> Craig Coker
> Coker Composting & Consulting
> 3331 Glade Creek Blvd. Ste. 7
> Roanoke, VA 24012
> (540) 904-2698 Fax: (540) 904-6732
> Cell: (540) 874-5168
> craigcoker at cox.net
> www.cokercompost.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
> [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of
> tim.lcllc at verizon.net
> Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 11:54 AM
> To: Compost Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [USCC] Hose reel wear & tear
>
>
> Craig, I have used an irrigation reel on and off for the past 5 years and
> have had no significant wear to date. The only issue I have experienced is
> to replace the small engine used in the takeup mechanism.
>
> Tim Hutchinson
> Loudoun Composting
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> Re: [USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure
> From:
> "Severtson, Peter (ECY)" <PSER461 at ECY.WA.GOV>
> Date:
> Mon, 2 Jul 2007 11:31:20 -0700
> To:
> "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> "Compost Discussion List" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> Has the soil prep been done correctly? The hydrometer method is pretty
> accurate if done right, however the organic matter and iron needs to be
> properly removed prior to performing the test. A hydrogen peroxide
> digestion should be run twice on the sample for organic matter removal
> (even three times if significant foaming is achieved on the second
> digestion), and then a citrate buffer and sodium dithionate digestion
> for iron.
>
>
> Peter Severtson
> Department of Ecology
> 15 West Yakima Avenue
> Yakima, WA 98902
> (509) 575-2605
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
> [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Craig Coker
> Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 8:57 AM
> To: 'Compost Discussion List'
> Subject: [USCC] Soil texture analysis lab procedure
>
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
> Show Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
> of the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
> www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ______
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
> [USCC] Soil test levels for nitrogen in compost
> From:
> Steve Diver <steved at ipa.net>
> Date:
> Mon, 2 Jul 2007 16:12:40 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
> To:
> Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
> To:
> Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
>
>
> I'm looking for interpretive guides to understanding
> ammonium-nitrogen in comparison to nitrate-nitrogen on
> lab tests for soils and composts.
>
> For example, what are the normal ranges for L, M, H, VH.
>
> Interpretive numbers on NO3-N is easy to find, but
> guidelines on NH4-N seems to be scarce.
>
> And then how do you interpret the numbers in relation to
> soil/compost activity when one is 2x-4x higher than the
> other.
>
> It appears that NH4-N is normally performed for
> manure analysis as part of a nutrient management
> plan.
>
> Much appreciated,
> Steve Diver
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> This month's sponsor of the USCC Discussion List is:
>
> Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy e-mail alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry professionals.
> Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com
>
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
>
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
>
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
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