• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.269-273
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• 2007

Occurrence of malodor could cause adverse impacts on human health and increase public interest. Therefore, scientific methods to decrease odor is required. Endeavor to decrease odor from compost however has not fully been successful. The purpose of this research is assessment of some amendments to reduce $NH_3$ from immature composts. Calcium hydroxide was applied to composts due to it's characteristics to increase pH. Activated carbon and zerovalent iron (ZVI) were selected because of their adsorption properties. The research results were as follows: Calcium hydroxide, activated carbon, zerovalent iron increased the composting temperature above $60^{\circ}C$. The addition of calcium hydroxide, activated carbon, and ZVI to compastry process increased pH 8.6 - 8.8 from $1^{st}$ day to $14^{th}$ day. During the 14 days of composting, addition of calcium hydroxide, activated carbon and ZVI changed EC from $2.15-0.66dS\;m^{-1}$, $1.48-1.11dS\;m^{-1}$, respectively and $1.77-0.68dS\;m^{-1}$. The difference in EC of the compost was due to irregularities of samples. Organic matter in the compost decreased through out theexcept control. The $NH_4-N/NO_3-N$ ratio of all experimental compost increased through the process. The addition of activated carbon, calcium hydroxide and ZVI decreased $NH_3$ from 0.1ppm, 0.7ppm and 1.7ppm more than the control (pig manure and sawdust), 9.3ppm, in 30 days of composting. In conclusion, odor from prematured compost decreased by addition of chemicals like calcium hydroxide, activated carbon, zerovalent iron. Moreover, use of these $NH_3$ reducers alone or together combined at different periods of composting etc. could decrease $NH_3$.