Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:44:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Caroline_Monique_Tietz_Soares.pdf: 2157190 bytes, checksum: 32d21cdfdc58d09a662671da5cc6fa2f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The anaerobic digestion process has been applied for the treatment of effluents both in developed countries as well as underdeveloped countries. Amongst the most predominant factors that affect the efficiency of this process is the temperature, considering the microorganisms development and the biogas production constitutes the temperature biodigester operational function. This study aimed at verifying the influence of temperature variation in the production of biogas from dairy cattle manure, in a Bioköhler biodigester covered with greenhouse plastic film. The experiment was performed in a 20 m3 biodigester located in the Antonio Carlos dos Santos Pessoa Experimental Station belonging to UNIOESTE Marechal Cândido Rondon Campus, during the period between 08/03/2014 to 02/07/2015. Data from the internal biodigester temperature and the greenhouse was obtained in conjunction with the external biodigester temperature, affluent and effluent density, total solid values, fixed and volatile, biogas volume produced and the concentration of CH4 present in this biogas. The results indicated that the microorganisms acted in the mesophilic layer and there was the indication that the production of biogas was influenced by temperature variability, nevertheless, the greenhouse avoided sudden alterations at this temperature. The results also evidenced that the medium capacity expected in the production of biogas surrounded 12 m3 per day and came across with an average of 57,33% of CH4 in this biogas. There was satisfactory volatile solid removal / O processo de digestão anaeróbia tem sido aplicado para o tratamento de efluentes tanto em países desenvolvidos como naqueles em desenvolvimento. Dentre os fatores mais importantes que afetam a eficiência deste processo está a temperatura, pois o desenvolvimento dos micro-organismos e a produção de biogás é função da temperatura operacional do biodigestor. Este trabalho buscou verificar a influência das variações da temperatura na produção de biogás a partir de dejetos da bovinocultura de leite, em biodigestor Bioköhler protegido por uma estufa plástica. O experimento foi realizado em um biodigestor de 20 m3 localizado na Estação Experimental Antonio Carlos dos Santos Pessoa, pertencente à UNIOESTE Campus de Marechal Cândido Rondon, no período de 03/08/2014 a 07/02/2015. Foram obtidos dados de temperatura interna ao biodigestor e a estufa, bem como de temperatura externa ao biodigestor, densidade dos afluentes e efluentes, valores de sólidos totais, fixos e voláteis, volume de biogás produzido e teor de CH4 presente neste biogás. Os resultados indicaram que os micro-organismos atuaram na faixa mesofílica e houve indício de que a produção de biogás foi influenciada pela variabilidade da temperatura, entretanto, a estufa evitou alterações bruscas nesta temperatura. Os resultados também evidenciaram que a capacidade média esperada de produção de biogás esteve em torno de 12 m3 por dia e obteve-se uma média de 57,33% de CH4 neste biogás. Houve remoção de sólidos voláteis e esta foi satisfatória

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A cultura da melancia é uma das mais importantes no Estado de Roraima, com uma área plantada de aproximadamente 1000 ha-1 irrigados e produtividade média de 8.017 kg ha-1 de frutos. Essa produtividade é considerada baixa, levando em conta o potencial da cultura; e as razões disso são o manejo inadequado, principalmente, da adubação. Neste estudo, testaram-se três sistemas de sucessão de cultura combinados com seis doses de Nitrogênio com o objetivo de avaliar os benefícios da sucessão das culturas e doses de nitrogênio sobre a produtividade de frutos da melancia. Foram instalados dois experimentos (2010 e 2012) no delineamento de blocos ao acaso no esquema de parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, testaram-se as sucessões de cultura (mucuna preta, feijão-caupi e vegetação espontânea) e, nas subparcelas, as doses de nitrogênio (0 a 250 kg ha-1). A cultura cv Crimson Sweet foi irrigada por sulcos no espaçamento de 1,0m x 3,5m. Avaliou-se a produtividade de frutos comerciais na área útil das subparcelas (7 plantas), número, porcentagem de frutos, massa média de frutos, sólidos solúveis totais e relação polpa-casca. Os dados foram analisados por anova (p<0,05), e as médias referentes aos efeitos das doses de N foram estimadas por análise de regressão polinomial. As espécies de plantas de cobertura não afetaram a produtividade nem a qualidade de frutos de melancia, independentemente do ano de cultivo. As doses 114,77 e 115,49 kg ha-1 de N proporcionaram o maior número de fruto, (6.900 e 4.889 frutos ha-1) e massa média de frutos (9,49 e 13,15 kg fruto-1), no primeiro e no segundo ano decultivo, respectivamente. A porcentagem de frutos não foi influenciada pelas plantas de cobertura e nem pelas doses de N, independentemente do ano de cultvo. Os sólidos solúveis totais e a relação polpa/casca do fruto de melancia não foram influenciados pelas espécies de plantas coberturas nem pelas doses de N. A maior produtividade de frutos (64,02 e 55,05 Mg ha-1) obtidas com doses de 125,11 e 155,31 kg ha-1 de N, no primeiro e no segundo ano de cultivo, respectivamente. / The watermelon crop is one of the most important in the State of Roraima, with a planted area of approximately 1000 ha-1 and yield of irrigated 8.017 kg ha-1 fruit. This productivity is considered low, taking into account the potential of the crop, and the reasons are inadequate management mainly fertilization. In this study, we tested three systems of succession culture combined with six doses of nitrogen in order to evaluate the benefits of crop succession and nitrogen on fruit yield of watermelon. Two experiments were established (2010 and 2012) in a randomized block design in a split-plot with four replications. In the plots, we tested the crop sequence (velvet bean, cowpea and spontaneous vegetation) and the subplots, the nitrogen levels (0 to 250 kg ha-1). The culture cv Crimson Sweet was irrigated by furrows spaced at 1.0 m x 3.5 m. We evaluated the Commercial fruits in the useful area of the subplots (7 plants), number, percentage of fruits, average fruit weight, soluble solids and pulp-peel. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (p <0.05), and the averages on the effects of N rates were estimated by polynomial regression analysis. The species of cover crops did not affect productivity or quality of watermelon fruits, regardless of the crop year. Doses 114,77 and 115,31 kg ha-1 N gave a higher number of fruit (6900 and 4889 fruits ha-1) and average weight of fruits (fruit 9.49 and 13.15 kg-1), the first and second decultivo years, respectively. The percentage of fruits was not influenced by cover crops and not by N, regardless of the year of cultvo. The total soluble solids and pulp / fruit rind of watermelon were not affected by plant species or coverages by N The highest fruit yield (64.02 and 55.05 Mg ha-1) obtained with doses of 125,11 and 155.31 kg N ha-1, the first and second year of cultivation, respectively.

Pratylenchus brachyurus é um dos nematóides mais disseminados na cultura do algodão nas áreas produtoras do Brasil. Sua patogenicidade ao algodoeiro, entretanto, é pouco estudada. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: i) correlacionar níveis populacionais iniciais crescentes de P. brachyurus (0, 12.000, 30.000 e 75.000 exemplares/ planta) com os danos causados ao algodoeiro \'Delta Opal\'; ii) avaliar a patogenicidade de populações de P. brachyurus em algodoeiros \'Delta Opal\' e \'Fibermax 966\'; iii) testar cultivares de algodão em relação à reprodução de três populações de P. brachyurus ; iv) caracterizar a relação parasito-hospedeiro (em termos de suscetibilidade/resistência) de alguns adubos verdes, coberturas vegetais e pastagens a Pratylenchus brachyurus; v) caracterizar molecularmente populações de P. brachyurus, através de PCR-RFLP e seqüenciamento da região ITS-1 do rDNA. Os resultados sugerem que P. brachyurus é patógeno pouco agressivo da cultura do algodão, já que não se verificaram danos significativos às plantas em densidades populacionais do nematóide inferiores a 12.000 exemplares/ planta. Em relação às cultivares, todas foram suscetíveis a P. brachyurus . Entre as espécies vegetais testadas, as que se mostraram resistentes a P. brachyurus foram Crotalaria spectabilis, C. breviflora, amaranto \'BRS Alegria\', nabo forrageiro \'Comum\' e as cultivares de aveia preta Campeira Mor, IPFA 99006, Comum, CPAO 0010 e Garoa. As análises de PCRRFLP revelaram variabilidade genética entre as diferentes populações de P. brachyurus estudadas, em função dos diferentes padrões de bandas encontrados para as populações estudadas. O seqüenciamento da região ITS-1 do rDNA confirmou a variabilidade observada pela digestão enzimática, além de evidenciar heterogeneidade das regiões 18S e ITS-1 do rDNA de P. brachyurus / Although Pratylenchus brachyurus is widespread in Brazilian cotton fields, information about its importance as a cotton pathogen is scarce. The objectives of this work were: i) correlate crescent initial population densities (0; 12,000; 30,000; and 75,000 nematodes/ plant) with damage on cotton \'Delta Opal\'; ii) measure the pathogenic effect of P. brachyurus on cotton \'Delta Opal\' and \'Fibermax 966\'; iii) characterize the reaction of cotton cultivars to three populations of P. brachyurus ; iv) characterize the host reaction (in terms of susceptibility/ resistance) of some green manures, cover crops and pastures to two populations of P. brachyurus; v) characterize different populations of P. brachyurus by PCR-RFLP and sequencing of ITS-1 rDNA region. Results suggest that P. brachyurus is an eventual pathogen of cotton, since high population levels were necessary to reduce plant growth (< 12,000 nematodes/ plant). All cotton cultivars tested were rated as susceptible to P. brachyurus In relation to crop species tested, Crotalaria spectabilis, C. breviflora, amaranth \'BRS Alegria\', oil radish \'Comum\', and the black oat cultivars Campeira Mor, IPFA 99006, Comum, CPAO 0010, and Garoa were resistant to P. brachyurus PCR-RFLP showed intraspecific variability for different population of P. brachyurus studied. Sequencing of the ITS-1 rDNA region confirmed the results of the enzymatic digestion and demonstrated heterogeneity of 18S and ITS-1 rDNA regions of P. brachyurus.

O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo avaliar o desempenho de um reator anaeróbio híbrido (RAnH) em escala piloto no tratamento da fração líquida de estrume bovino, visando à remoção de matéria orgânica e à produção de biogás. O RAnH estudado apresentava volume total 6,2 m3 e foi composto por manta de lodo, na qual a biomassa encontrava-se suspensa, e leito fixo, no qual utilizou-se Biobob&#174; como material suporte para imobilização da biomassa. Para dar suporte a partida do RAnH, a água residuária em estudo foi submetida a teste de biodegradabilidade visando avaliar a influencia da inoculação do reator no potencial de biodegradabilidade e de produção de metano. No teste, a inoculação mostrou-se adequada, apresentando biodegradabilidade de 57 &#177; 4% e produção de metano de 344 &#177; 26 mL CH4. g SV-1. A operação do RAnH foi realizada por 260 dias e foi dividida em duas etapas: etapa inicial, na qual se procedeu a adequação da operação do reator, e etapa experimental, na qual se avaliou o desempenho do reator perante o aumento progressivo da carga orgânica aplicada. Durante a operação do reator foi alcançada a aplicação de COV bruta total de 25,50 &#177; 2,53 kg DQO.m-3.d-1 e a COV solúvel total de 7,69 &#177; 0,02 kg DQO.m-3.d-1, sendo atingido o TDH de 1,27 &#177; 0,004 d. O RAnH apresentou eficiência de remoção média de 65 &#177; 4 % durante a etapa experimental. A produção média de metano foi de 0,310 &#177; 0,095 m3 CH4. m-3.d-1 e 0,098 &#177; 0,018 m3 CH4. kg SVad, com 89 &#177; 3% de metano na composição do biogás. O potencial de produção de energia elétrica estimada com base no reaproveitamento metano produzido no RAnH foi de 0,89 kWh.m-3. O aproveitamento desta energia em sistema com vazão de 3.500 m3.d-1 geraria energia suficiente para abastecer 615 residências e uma economia mensal de R$ 11.835,09. / The main objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of a pilot-scale anaerobic hybrid reactor (RAnH) in the treatment of the liquid fraction of dairy manure, in order to remove organic matter and produce biogas. The applied RAnH had a total volume of 6.2 m3 and was composed of sludge blanket, in which the biomass was suspended, and fixed bed, in which Biobob&#174; was applied as a support material for biomass immobilization. In order to support RAnH startup, the wastewater under study was submitted to a biodegradability test to evaluate the influence of reactor inoculation on the biodegradability potential and methane production potential. In the test the inoculated condition presented appropriate biodegradability (57 &#177; 4%) and higher methane production potential (344 &#177; 26 mL CH4.gVS-1). The RAnH operation was performed for 260 days and was divided into two stages: initial stage, in which the reactor operation was adjusted, and the experimental stage, in which the reactor performance was evaluated with the progressive increase of the applied organic load. During the reactor operation was reachead total raw VOC application of 25.50 &#177; 2.53 kg COD m-3.d-1 and total soluble VOC of 7.69 &#177; 0.02 kg COD m-3.d-1, with the HRT of 1.27 &#177; 0.004 d. The RAnH presented average removal efficiency of 65 ± 4% during the experimental stage. The average methane production was 0.310 &#177; 0.095 m3 CH4.m-3.d-1 and 0.098 &#177; 0.018 m3 CH4. kg VSad, with 89 &#177; 3% of methane in the biogas composition. The potential of electric energy production estimated based on the reuse of the methane produced in the RAnH was 0,89 kWh.m-3. The use of this energy in a system with a flow of 3,500 m3.d-1 would generate sufficient energy to supply 615 homes and a monthly saving of R$ 11,835.09.

This thesis links papers reporting field measurements, modelling studies and reviews of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their abatement from agriculture, in particular from livestock production. The aims of the work were to: quantify GHG emissions from litter-based farmyard manures; evaluate means by which GHG emissions from agricultural production may be abated; assess synergies and conflicts between the abatement of other N pollutants on emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O); analyse two records of soil temperature from 1976-2010 from Wolverhampton (UK) and Vienna (Austria). Agricultural emissions of GHGs are not readily abated by ‘end of pipe’ technologies. Large decreases in agricultural GHG emissions may require changes in the production and consumption of food that could have unwelcome impacts on both consumers and producers. However, identifying and prioritizing both modes and locations of production, together with utilizing inputs, such as N fertilizer and livestock feeds, more efficiently can reduce GHG emissions while maintaining outputs. For example, GHG emissions from livestock production may be lessened by increasing the longevity of dairy cows, thereby decreasing the proportion of unproductive replacement animals in the dairy herd. Sourcing a larger proportion of calves from the dairy herd would decrease emissions of GHGs from beef production. The distance between the region of food production to that of consumption has relatively little impact on total GHG emissions per tonne of food product. Due to greater productivity or lesser energy inputs, importing some foods produced in other parts of the world may decrease GHG emissions per tonne compared with UK production, despite the additional emissions arising from long-distance transport. Manure application techniques to abate ammonia (NH3) emissions do not axiomatically increase emissions of N2O and may decrease them. Soil temperature measurements from 1976 to 2010 were consistent with the warming trends reported over the last 40 years.

The greenhouse gases (GHG) emission in annual crops depends on soil conditions, climate and management of each site. Even the importance of no-till system in the grain production in the southern region of the country, the agricultural practices effect in the emission of the main greenhouse gases (CO2, N¬O and CH4) it is still little known, especially in Latossolos. Even more scarce are the works involving the use of pig slurry (PS) as fertilizer, the injection of PS or the use of nitrification inhibitors on GHG emissions under these conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the GHG emissions in a Latossolo that is representative of Planalto of Rio Grande do Sul, in response to PS application method (injection x surface application) with or without the use of nitrification inhibitor Dicyandiamide (DCD). A field experiment was conducted in a Latossolo Vermelho aluminoférrico típico, near UFSM Campus in Frederico Westphalen, RS, from June 2014 to April 2015 with the wheat/corn no-till cropping system. The experimental was a randomized block design with four replicates with the following treatments: control (TEST), Mineral fertilizer (NPK), liquid pig slurry (PS) applied to surface (SUP), PS applied on surface with nitrification inhibitor DCD (SUP + IN), DLS injected into the soil (INJ) and PS injected with DCD (INJ + IN). GHG emissions were evaluated by static cameras, with GHG concentrations determined by gas chromatography . Most of the emissions of CO2 and N2O occurred in the summer during maize crop. The PS application increased N2O emission five times compared with TEST, regardless of PS application method. When DCD is used with manure N2O emissions were reduced by 50% with PS surface application and 32% when it was injected into the soil. The N2O emission factor ranged from 0,08 to 0.66% and it is lower than the average of 1 % of N applied established by IPCC. The CO2 emission was not affected by manure application during wheat crop season while increase until 69% in maize crop season. The higher emission was in SUP treatment and we realize that occurred additive effect of reapplication treatments. The soil is a CH4 sink independent treatment, with an average uptake of 277 g C-CH4 ha-1 in wheat crop and 266 g C-CH4 ha-1 in maize crop. The results of this study indicate that PS injection in Latossolo at a wheat/corn no-till cropping system does not increases the emission of CO2, N2O and CH4 in relation to surface application. Also, the addition of nitrification inhibitor DCD to PS helps to mitigate N2O emissions, regardless of the PS application method. / A emissão de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) em cultivos anuais depende das condições do solo, clima e do manejo de cada local. Apesar da importância na produção de grãos e do sistema de plantio direto (SPD) na região Sul do País, o efeito de práticas agrícolas sobre a emissão dos principais gases de efeito estufa (CO2, N2O e CH4) ainda é pouco conhecido, sobretudo em Latossolos. Ainda mais escassos são os trabalhos envolvendo o uso de dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS) como fertilizante, a injeção dos DLS ou o uso de inibidores de nitrificação sobre a emissão de GEE nessas condições. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a emissão de GEE em um Latossolo representativo do Planaltodo Rio Grande do Sul, em resposta ao modo de aplicação dos DLS (injeção x aplicação superficial) associado ou não ao uso do inibidor de nitrificação dicianodiamida (DCD). Um experimento de campo foi conduzido em um Latossolo Vermelho aluminoférrico típico, junto ao campus da UFSM em Frederico Westphalen, RS, de junho de 2014 a abril de 2015 com a sucessão trigo/milho em SPD. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições dos seguintes tratamentos: Testemunha (TEST), Adubação Mineral (NPK),Dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS) aplicados em superfície (SUP), DLS aplicados em superfície, com inibidor de nitrificação DCD (SUP+IN),DLS injetados no solo (INJ) e DLS injetados, com DCD (INJ+IN). As emissões de GEE foram avaliadas através de câmaras estáticas, com as concentrações de GEE determinadas por cromatografia gasosa. A maior parte das emissões de CO2 e N2O ocorreu no verão, durante o cultivo de milho. A aplicação dos DLS aumentou a emissão de N2O em relação tratamento TEST em cinco vezes, independente do modo de aplicação. Com o uso da DCD as emissões de N2O foram reduzidas em 50% com a aplicação superficial dos DLS e em 32% com a sua injeção no solo. O fator de emissão de N2O variou de 0,08 a 0,66%, sendo inferior ao estabelecido pelo IPCC, de 1% do N aplicado. A emissão de CO2 não foi afetada pela adição de dejetos no primeiro cultivo e sofreu incremento de até 69% no cultivo de milho, com a maior emissão no tratamento SUP, indicando efeito aditivo da reaplicação dos tratamentos. O solo atuou como dreno de CH4 independente do tratamento, com influxo médio de C-CH4 de 277 g ha- 1 no cultivo de trigo e 266 g ha-1 no milho. Os resultados deste trabalho indicam que a injeção dos DLS em Latossolo, na sucessão trigo/milho em SPD, não aumenta a emissão de CO2, N2O e CH4 em relação à aplicação superficial e que a adição do inibidor de nitrificação DCD aos DLS contribui para mitigar as emissões de N2O, independentemente do modo de aplicação dos DLS no solo.

Management-induced degradation of soil chemical and microbial quality is one of the most pressing concerns and a considerable threat to the sustainability of agroecosystems. However, information on this important issue is limited and largely based on short-term studies. A long-term experiment initiated in 1939 at the University of Pretoria provided a unique opportunity to assess the direct and residual effects of manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil chemical properties, microbial components and maize yield in rotation with field pea. Long-term addition of manure resulted in increased total organic C (TOC), total N and available P levels in the soil. Seasonally, these nutrients exhibited variations that appeared to be related to influences of crop rotation. Soil N content in an adjacent native site remained relatively constant but tended to increase in the control and manured plots. Soil microbial biomass C, N and P and microbial populations were affected by previous manure application as well as by crop rotation. Microbial biomass and numbers were generally higher in the manured plots. Manure application also had substantial residual effects and resulted in maize grain yields higher than in the control. Long-term NPK application resulted in decreased TOC and basic cation contents, and lowering of soil pH. The decrease in TOC was greater in single fertilizer treatments whereas basic cation contents and pH declined more in the balanced fertilizer treatments. Soil microbial biomass and numbers were influenced by, and exhibited qualitative changes in response to, long-term fertilization. Crop rotation also exerted effects on chemical and microbial properties of the soil. Maize grain yield showed significant increases in response to balanced fertilizer treatments. Response of maize to simple fertilizer applications was not beneficial in terms of yield returns. These results suggest that judicious use of inorganic fertilizers may, in the long-term, maintain soil quality and productive capacity. A comparison of the effects of residual manure and NPK fertilizers on the content of selected nutrients, microbial properties, C and N inputs, tissue nutrient concentration and crop yield showed differences due to treatments. TOC, total N and available P levels were increased due to residual manure alone or in combination with NPK fertilizers. C and N inputs and tissue P concentration were also generally higher in manured than in the NPK treatment. However, the higher increase in nutrient contents of manured plots was not reflected in microbial properties of the soil. Despite lower nutrient levels, the NPK treatment resulted in relatively greater increases in microbial properties of the soil. The differential responses were largely due to differences in quality and decomposability of organic material. Organic material in the NPK treatment appeared to have a higher decomposition and turnover rate than in other treatments, suggesting that C limitation in soils of low C but good nutrient supply may be compensated by high turnover rates of the available organic materials. The beneficial effect of residual manure on microbial properties and crop yield was decreased by application of supplemental N fertilizer but remained unaffected by application of supplemental K fertilizer. The depressive effect of excess soil P levels on soil microbial properties and crop yield was exacerbated by supplemental N fertilizer and mitigated by supplemental manure and K fertilizer applied to residual P. The decrease in available P levels due to supplemental K application implies that this may serve as a viable alternative to ameliorate soils with excess P levels. / Thesis (PhD (Plant Production and Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

No description available.

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which organic carbon is converted into biogas in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Both of these products are greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Therefore if anaerobic reactors are improperly maintained and biogas is leaked or intentionally released into the atmosphere because biogas production exceeds household demand, these reactors may become generators of greenhouse gas emissions instead of sustainable energy producers. The objective of this research was to develop a framework to assess if the demand for biogas by a rural adopter of an anaerobic digester matched with the associated local gas production. A literature review of the energy required to prepare commonly consumed food of rice and beans was conducted to establish required household biogas volumes. This review determined that 0.06 m3 of methane was required to prepare a half a kg of rice (on a dry weight basis) and 0.06 m3 of methane was required to prepare a half a kg of beans (on a dry weight basis). Furthermore an analysis of occupants of a rural Panamanian town was performed along with a design model for rural anaerobic reactor gas production to determine if an overproduction of biogas would occur if anaerobic reactors were built for families who owned swine. It was determined using this approach that all of the fifteen household would experience an overproduction of biogas based on household demand of methane and therefore would risk the release of greenhouse gases. Household size ranged from one to seven occupants and swine ownership ranged from one to fifteen per household. The differences of biogas supply with respect to demand from these fifteen situations ranged from 0.09 to 0.35 m3 of a biogas with 40% methane and 0.27 to 6.17 m3 of excess biogas with a methane content of 70% per household per day. An average of 0.45 m3 of a biogas with 40% methane per household per day was calculated and 0.87m3 for 70% methane for all fifteen households, excluding one outlier. However, because this research uses a model based on plug flow reactor mechanics, results may produce varied results from other studies concerning small scale anaerobic digestion.

Soil amended with manure has been implicated as a source of produce contamination leading to foodborne gastrointestinal-disease outbreaks. While current composting guidelines require temperatures ≥ 55°C for 3 days to destroy bacterial pathogens, these requirements have not been evaluated for all pathogens. Investigation of parasite survival in manure required development of a flow cytometry method integrating the cell-impermeant viability dye SytoX for simultaneous quantification and viability assessment of Cryptosporidium and Giardia oocysts/cysts. Further studies will be required to apply this method to investigate thermal reduction in parasites. Studies conducted with bacterial pathogens indicated that E. coli O157:H7 survived longer than other pathogens at 50°C to 55°C. Listeria monocytogenes survived significantly better in chicken manure compared to cow manure at 50°C to 55°C. Results suggest composting guidelines are adequate for bacterial pathogen reduction; however, testing for E. coli O157 along with Salmonella may increase confidence in compost safety.