Author
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Adler, Paul |
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Sikora, Lawrence |
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Submitted to: Biocycle
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 9/14/2004 Publication Date: 11/15/2004 Citation: Adler, P.R., Sikora, L.J. 2004. Composting fish manure from aquaculture operations. Biocycle. 45:62-66. Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required. Technical Abstract: Although land application of liquid manure has a long history of being an effective and practical technology, since it cannot occur year-round, anaerobic storage is a necessary component of the whole system. Composting increases the value of manure and can be a practical system alternative to storage in a lagoon, giving the farmer more flexibility in time of application. A layered mesophilic compost system was developed which allows the manure to be stored and treated on land, without investment in expensive infrastructure. Since building infrastructure, such as a pad, is not necessary to the success of this system, it can be located on cropland and periodically moved so crops can utilize any leached nutrients for crop growth rather than allow them to build up to high levels in the soil. Mesophilic composting of high liquid content manures does not require excess carbon to reduce its water content as is needed with thermophilic composting, reducing carbon needs by up to almost 30 times. This mesophilic composting system is a less resource intense system than standard composting technology and is a practical technology that could be readily adopted on fish farms, and other farms with liquid manure systems, using current equipment. |
