[USCC] RE Sulfur in compost

[Will Brinton]

Ron et al;

Our clients have occasionally employed elemental S successfully to 
reduce ammonia loss from high pH conditons, but there are some limtis to 
effective sulfur use in composts - as distinct from in soils. The 
sulfur-oxidizing Thiobacilli  require strictly aerobic, and mostly 
mesophilic and somewhat acidophilic conditions- there is only  limited 
evidence for higher temperature thiobacilli and little evidence that if 
the pH is very high they'll survive. Also, if the pile gets too wet, 
you'll get H2S odors from sulfate reduction as a side-effect.

Dr William Brinton

-- 
Woods End Laboratories
- Bioenergy &  Biocompost Testing -
Mt Vernon ME 04352
www.woodsend.org


To: "compost" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>


Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:28 AM

Subject: [USCC] Sulfur

Hello Compost World,

Has anybody out there had any 'real' success adding sulfur to compost to
reduce its pH?

Thanks,

Ron