Whats Hot, Whats Not? :: essays research papers

Every fall, homeowners have the same problem dead leaves. Trees shed leaves and disfigurement once perfected lawns. To get rid of these leaves, people rake the leaves and call them into outstanding catnaps that trucks come and remove. If these piles are left yearn enough, they will heat up. On a cold day, steam can buoy be seen rising from these piles of leaves. But why does it do this? degeneracy is the smashing down of a substance into parts that it was made of. Microorganisms break down organic matter while composting and making carbon copy dioxide, water, heat, and humus. Composting unremarkably has collar degrees 1) the mesophilic (moderate temperature) form which lasts two days, 2) the thermophilic ( senior high temperature) stage which lasts for four to six days, and 3) the cool down down, maturing phase, which can last up to several months (Columbia University Press, 2000.) Mesophilic microorganisms carry out stage one. The mesophilic microorganisms break down the stable, readily degradable compounds. The heat they create makes the compost temperature stand out quickly. Stage two (the high temperatures) accelerates the breakdown of proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates, at temperatures of 55 degrees and higher. Many microorganisms that are human or plant pathogens are destroyed. weensy holes are necessary to aerate this stage. Stage three has the supply of high-octane compounds that become exhausted. The compost temperature gradually decreases and mesophilic microorganisms take over for, the final phase of "curing" (maturation of remaining organic matter (Southwestern, 2003).) There are three main gases in compost piles carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.Carbon provides the zilch source and is the "building block" that is 50% of mass microbial mobile phones. cook and woody materials are very high in carbon. Carbon is more(prenominal) readily available for microbial use if an object has a large surface area. Nitrogen is an important component of the proteins, nucleic acid, amino acids, enzymes and co-entyns necessary for cell growth and function. Any materials that are green and moist are high in nitrogen. The nitrogen cycle is the continuous movement of nitrogen from the atmosphere, to plants, and endure to the atmosphere (or directly into plants) again. Oxygen is essential for a compost pile to work. As microorganisms oxidize carbon for energy, oxygen is used up and carbon dioxide is produced. Without enough oxygen, the process will become anaerobic and produce rotten smells. Oxygen concentrations greater than 10% are considered best for maintaining aerobic composting.