[USCC] technical definitions of finished compost
J Appel
design at landscapehouston.com
Thu Nov 29 16:37:21 CST 2007
Jennifer Appel RLA, LI, CSFIA
Landscape Architect # 1930
Licensed Irrigator # 4951
Certified Soil Food Web Advisor
713.263.1682 office
Downloadable specifications can be found at www.landscapevitamins.com
FINISHED BIOLOGICAL COMPOST SPECIFICATIONS
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 Compost must be made from organic materials approved by the State Of Texas as specified in Chapter 332 of the Health & Safety Code as listed in the Texas register.
1.2 Compost must contain less than 1% by dry weight of inert contaminants such as glass, plastic, rocks, etc.
1.3 Industrial or hazardous waste can not be used in the production of the compost (i.e. boiler ash, rice hull ash, etc.) in addition the compost shall be free of fillers such as rich hulls or pine bark.
1.4 Compost shall not exceed the heavy metal limits as specified in the US EPA Part 503 Regulations.
1.5.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE: SUBMITTALS: Furnish copies of manufacturer’s literature, certifications, sources, samples, or labo¬ratory analytical data for the following items:
A. Certificates of Inspection: Certificates of inspection required for trans¬portation shall accompany invoice for each shipment of materials. File copies of certificates with Landscape Architect after acceptance of material.
B. Testing:
1. Chemical and Physical - All compost components shall be tested by one of the following testing laboratories for conformity to the specifications:
Texas Plant and Soil Lab
5115 West Monte Cristo
Edinburg, Texas 78539
(956) 383-0739
A&L Plains Agricultural Laboratories, Inc.
302 34th Street
Lubbock, Texas 79404
(806) 763-4278
Soil and Plant Laboratory, Incorporated
Post Office Box 153
Santa Clara, California 95052
(408) 243-0330
2. Biological :
Soil Food Web
1128 NE 2nd Street Suite 120
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
(541) 752-5066
3. If herbicide contamination is suspected, then a radish/rye-grass growth trial must be performed.
4. For delivered material, test one grab sample for each fifty (50) cubic yards of bulk material delivered to the site.
5. Testing will be at the expense of Contractor.
6. Deviations greater than plus or minus twenty (20%) percent from control data may be grounds for rejection of mixes tested. Non-conforming materials shall not be used. Materials which do not conform to standards specified herein shall be removed from the site.
PART 2 – BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL SPECIFICATIONS
2.1 BIOLOGICAL Specifications
A. Stability/Maturity (Carbon Dioxide Evolution Rate)
1 - Less than 8 mg CO2-C per g OM (organic matter) per day
2 - Greater than 6.0 on the SolvitaTM Compost Maturity Test
3 - minimum 80%, relative to positive control Seed Emergence and Seedling Vigor (Bioassay) as required by the Landscape Architect.
B. Biological components:
1. Bacteria (active) - minimum of 15-150 micrograms per gram of compost
2. Bacteria (total) - minimum of 1500 micrograms per gram of compost
3. Fungus (active) - minimum of 15-25 micrograms per gram of compost
4. Fungus (total) - minimum of 20 micrograms per gram of compost
5. Fungus (hyphal diameter) – should be greater than 3um
6. Protozoa
a. flagellates – 8,000 or higher per gram of compost
b. amoebae – 8,000 or higher per gram of compost
c. ciliates – 5 or lower per gram of compost
7. Root Feeding Nematodes should not be present (beneficial nematodes are a benefit)
2.2 PHYSICAL Specifications
A. Moisture Content – 30-60%, wet weight basis
B. Moisture Holding Capacity – 75-200% of dry weight
C. Organic Matter Content – 30-70% (40-50% preferred), dry weight basis
D. Particle Size:
Standard Grade Compost - 100% passing through a 1” rectangular mesh screen or smaller
Fine Grade Compost - 100% passing through a 3/8” rectangular mesh screen or smaller
E. Bulk Density – 700-1,200 (800-1,000 preferred), pounds per cubic yard
F. Electrical Conductivity (Soluble Salt Concentration) - 10 dS/m (mmhos/cm.) maximum, (2.0-3.6 or less preferred)
2.3 CHEMICAL Specifications
A. pH 6.0-8.5
B. Total Salinity - 2,000 ppm or lower
C. Chemical components (H2O extraction)
1. Nitrogen – 10 ppm or higher
2. Phosphorus – 100 ppm or higher
3. Potassium – 400 ppm or higher
4. Calcium – 2000 ppm or higher
5. Magnesium – 200 ppm or higher
6. Zinc – 6 ppm or higher
7. Iron – 25 ppm o higher
8. Manganese – 8 ppm or higher
9. Copper – 1 ppm or higher
10. Sodium – 1000 ppm or less
11. Sulfur – 10 ppm or higher
12. Boron – 1 ppm or higher
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Cathy Gill" <cathy at athenaes.com>
Reply-To: Compost Discussion List <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:57:32 -0500
>Hi all!
>
>You've been so helpful in the past so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering a couple of more questions for me.
>
>What is the technical definition of when compost is "finished"? does it have to reach a certain temperature and then cool? Or is it based on levels of microorganisms that are active? I am very interested in knowing the science behind this.
>
>Also, I have read somewhere that, at least in a home setting, compost that is finished may still need to be cured. How does one know when it is cured? What happens during the curing process?
>
>Thanks in advance!
>
>Cathy Gill
>
>AthenaES
>1450 S. Rolling Road
>Baltimore, MD 21227
>410-455-6319
>www.athenaes.com
>cathy at athenaes.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
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>_______________________________________
>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
>
________________________________________________________________
Sent via the WebMail system at mail.landscapehouston.com
More information about the Compost
mailing list