introduction
By composting
leaves one is able to reduce the amount of Phosphorous in Lake Wingra by
preventing the leaves from entering the lake.
The purpose of our experiment was to measure the effects that mixing brown
(leaves) and green (lake weeds) material to compost would have on the rate of
decomposition.
Material consistency (mulched v. unmulched) was also considered to be a factor.
In building a compost pile one needs to layer brown and green material in a 2:1
ratio.
We think that the bin with the combination of brown and green materials and
mulched leaves will decompose the fastest.
The faster the microorganisms break down the waste, the more heat energy they
give off thus increasing the temperature of the compost pile.
End product of composting is called “Humus” and is a nutrient-rich soil.