Beer's Effect on the Rate of Decomposition of Compost
Chelsea Baus, Andrea Grover, Lindsey Sauerzopf, Andrew Washicheck
Introduction
Method
Results and Discussion
More Information
Watershed
Paper
According to “Composting as a Waste Management Technique,” composting “dates back to the history of early agriculture” (Cornell Composting). The specific purpose of our composting experiment was to determine whether beer increased the decomposition process.
We were interested in:
the process of decomposition
the benefits of composting
how beer affects the decomposition of leaves and waste
how composting can reduce the amount of leaves and waste products that find
their way into Lake Wingra, or
that would otherwise end up in surrounding landfills.
We layered (3 layers each) lake vegetation and mulched leaves for the basic composting material.
After each layer of lake greens, we watered the compost pile until they were damp enough to have water drip out when the leaves were squeezed.
We put temperature loggers in each one of the composting bins. These temperature gauges digitally logged a reading every half hour.
Two temperature loggers were placed in each bin: one at the bottom, and the second halfway between the bottom and the top of the compost.
Then we added Busch Light beer to each bin.
o Bin 1 = No Beer
o Bin 2 = 2 cans/24 oz.
o Bin 3 = 20 cans/240 oz
o Bin 4 = 40 cans/480 oz
o Bin 5 = 80 cans/960 oz
We were able to turn the bins
when weather permitted. This was done to ensure that all material was mixed up
and aerated.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
-The temperatures in the bins were highest early in the experiment (at the end
of November).
(See
Graph)
-Bin #5 initially recorded the highest temperature readings.
-During the winter months, bins #4 and #5 recorded the lowest temperatures.
-Last week of the experiment, (end of March), bins #4 and #5 started to increase.
-Our results support our hypothesis when outside temperatures are warmer, and when the compost is more active.
Conclusions and Suggestions
The composting process can be improved throughout the community by using beer as
a composting accelerator during the warmer and active months. Future research
could look into which ingredients in beer are responsible for the accelerated
process. In looking through a previous composting experiment we can conclude
that it is beneficial to add materials such as food waste, beer, and animal
waste in order to increase the composition rate.
• Backyard Conservation
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• The Treetures
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• Cornell Composting
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/technique.html
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