Vermicomposting as a sustainable procedure for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract

The burning of wood to dispose thereof generates large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the critical greenhouse gases. However, vermicomposting of woodchips is a desirable and safe disposal method that requires no combustion and has the additional benefit of being a potential organic ameliorant. This study evaluated the cumulative amount of CO2 produced during vermicomposting of Quercus rubra (QR) and Pinus sylvestris (PS) compared to the amount of CO2 that evolved from burning the wood. The experiment was conducted over a period of 100 days in plastic pots in a greenhouse. The compost temperature, CO2 produced, degree of biodegradation and ash content were measured during the composting period. Also, the amount of CO2 evolved by combustion of wood was determined. The results show that CO2 produced increased over the decomposition period. Higher cumulative amounts of CO2 were produced from QR compared to PS wood compost. The cumulative amount of CO2 produced for both types of wood over the composting period, was lower than that produced by combustion. Ash content, used as an indicator of compost stability, increased over the incubation period; this trend was more pronounced for the QR than the PS wood compost. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________