Biomicrometeorological Measurements of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Composting of Green Waste and their Relationship to Turbulence Using Multiple Techniques

Potential sourcing of greenhouse gases from alternative renewable agricultural practices is an issue that needs to be studied as sustainable agriculture becomes prevalent. Emissions of methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide from the composting of green waste are being measured with flux chambers, gradient sampling of pore space air within piles, and using a micrometeorological integrated horizontal flux (IHF) technique. Measurements are being carried out over individual piles as they progress through the composting process, during different climatic/seasonal conditions. Gas fluxes over the life cycle of a compost piles are presented as a function of environmental variables and turbulent measures. The results from the different measurement methods are compared.