Compost

Compost Testing & Analysis

We work with consultants and waste generators to determine the appropriate alternatives to landfill. By testing for chemical and physical characteristics we can determine a by-product's suitability for use as a compost feedstock. Constituents tested include carbon, nitrogen, moisture, nutrients, metals, pathogens, and more. From the results of these tests, an optimum composting formulation can be determined.

Additionally, the compost can be monitored with suitable adjustments made during the composting process to maximize stability. Composting criteria covering a wide range of feedstock include livestock, fish/poultry waste and residuals, wood waste, yard waste, industrial biomass, municipal solid waste, mixed paper, kitchen and garden waste, commercial organic waste, brewery and other biosolids, sludges, mushroom production, and vermicomposting.

What is Compost?

Compost is a product that has gone through microbial degradation of readily available organic matter resulting in a stabilized material suitable for distribution in the environment with causing detrimental effects.

Compost Material- Microbiology Services in Watsonville, CA

Final Product

Final Product

Why Test?

Before marketing the product for sale it should be tested to ensure it is safe regarding public health, has the properties suitable for the intended use, and to provide information to aid in determining application rates.

Test Packages

Finished Compost Package (Code = FINISH-compost, $300)

  • Determines the quality of a finished product based on physical, chemical, biological properties and health-safety issues. Aids in marketing, application rates, and product development.
  • See Example Report

Size Distribution and Inerts (PART-compost, $48)

  • Determines the make-up of each fraction (heavy or light), if screening would improve nutrients, if screened material should be re-composted, presence of contaminants.
  • See Example Report

Nutrients: Agricultural constituents (NUTRIENTS-compost, $135)

  • Aids in determining application rates, uses for the end product and agricultural quality.
  • See Example Report

Microbial Microscopic Analysis (BIOLOGICAL-compost, $275)

  • Determines the microbial distribution which can infer the degree of curing, the potential of disease suppression, and release of available nutrients.
  • The report presents the active and total population of the microbial community of a compost. Includes: active and total bacteria and fungi, nematodes, and protozoa.

Stability (STABILITY-compost, $150)

  • Determines if the compost pile is optimized for microbial activity and the degree the carbon has been stabilized.
  • See Example Report

Maturity (MATURITY-compost, $75)

  • Determines if phytotoxins are present in the compost.
  • See Example Report

Herbicide Indicators (CLOPY-compost, $75)

  • Determines if a compost is contaminated with a herbicide at concentrations likely to cause problems under normal use.
  • See Example Report

Metals (MET-compost, $150)

  • Satisfies Regulation for toxic metals, calculates loading rate for agricultural soil.
  • See Example Report

Metals & Bacteria (SAFETY-compost, $175)

  • Satisfies Regulation for toxic metals, calculates loading rate for agricultural soil.
  • See Example Report

Fecal Coliform (FECAL-compost, $50)

  • Satisfies regulation, indicator of the presence of toxic microbes.

Salmonella (SAL-compost, $50)

  • Satisfies regulation, indicator of the presence of toxic microbes.

Viable Weed Seed Test (WEED-compost, $135)

  • Satisfies regulation, indicator of the presence of toxic microbes.

Application Rates for Soils (RATES-compost, $175)

  • We calculate an application rate based on obtaining optimum nutrients without salts becoming excessive. Results are in tons per acre, cubic yards per acre, pounds per cubic yard or any other convenient measurement you request.
  • See Example Report

Feedstock/Formulation

Feedstock/Formulation

What is Feedstock Analysis?

Feedstocks are the different materials that go into the starting recipe of a compost pile. When formulated to provide the proper mineral content and textural properties degradation occurs quickly allows composting to reach completion, producing a stable end product which will be suitable for the intended use. A Complete Feedstock analysis gives us the information to determine if a feedstock is suitable to aid in producing the type of end product you want.

Tests that Make Up Our Feedstock Analysis ($135)

  • C:N Ration
  • Nitrogen
  • Total Nitrogen
  • Organic Nitrogen
  • Ammonia Nitrogen
  • Nitrate Nitrogen
  • Organic Carbon (%)
  • Organic Matter (%)
  • Phosphorus (P2O5)
  • Potassium (as K2O)
  • pH
  • Conductivity (EC)
  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Sodium (Na)
  • Chloride (Cl)
  • Sulfate (as SO4)
  • Carbonates (% as CaCO3)
  • Moisture (%)
  • Ash (%)
  • Bulk Density
  • Void Space - Aids in formulating a mix having proper air and water flow.
  • Ag Index - (Nitrogen + Phosphorus + Potassium) / (Sodium + Chloride)
  • Judges whether the salt content (sodium and chloride) of the compost will limit the final compost application rates to the point that insufficient nutrients will be provided.

Monitoring

Monitoring

Testing Throughout the Composting Process

Five to 15 samples are taken during the composting process from start to finish. Results are plotted depicting mass loss or gain of organic matter, nitrogen (total, organic, ammonia, nitrate), and particle breakdown. Also; changes in C/N ratio, pH value, moisture, and soluble salts. Graphs illustrate the time into the process when changes occur. Aids in determining when the process has stalled and the reason why, when the process has stabilized and clues as to improving the process. Cost shown is per each sample taken.

Tests in Our Monitoring Package ($135)

  • C:N Ration
  • Nitrogen
  • Total Nitrogen
  • Organic Nitrogen
  • Ammonia Nitrogen
  • Nitrate Nitrogen
  • Organic Carbon (%)
  • Organic Matter (%)
  • Phosphorus (P2O5)
  • Potassium (as K2O)
  • pH
  • Conductivity (EC)
  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Sodium (Na)
  • Chloride (Cl)
  • Sulfate (as SO4)
  • Carbonates (% as CaCO3)
  • Moisture (%)
  • Ash (%)
  • Bulk Density
  • Void Space - Aids in formulating a mix having proper air and water flow.
  • Ag Index - (Nitrogen + Phosphorus + Potassium) / (Sodium + Chloride)
  • Judges whether the salt content (sodium and chloride) of the compost will limit the final compost application rates to the point that insufficient nutrients will be provided.

Compost Teas

Compost Teas

Compost Tea Chemistry (Code = TEA-compost, $235)

Determines quality and shelf life, plus aids in judging application rates.

List of analytes in testing package:

  • Nitrogen
  • Total Nitrogen
  • Organic Nitrogen
  • Ammonia Nitrogen
  • Nitrate Nitrogen
  • Organic Carbon (%)
  • Phosphorus (P2O5)
  • Potassium (as K2O)
  • pH
  • Conductivity (EC)
  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Sodium (Na)
  • Chloride (Cl)
  • Sulfate (as SO4)
  • Percent Solids
  • Nutrient Trace Elements
  • Suspended Solids
  • Turbidity
  • Humic Acid
  • Redox Potential
  • Respiration Rate

Compost Tea Biology (Code = TEABIO-compost, $275)

The quantity and distribution of microbes indicate the biological quality of a tea.

List of analytes in the testing package:

  • Bacteria Assay - active bacteria & total bacteria
  • Fungi Assay - active fungi & total fungi
  • Protozoa
  • Nematodes
  • E. coli & Total Coliforms

Compost Tea Chemistry AND Biology (Code = TEACHEMBIO-compost, $370)

Correlates tea biology and chemistry to aid in making adjustments & solving problems.

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