Changes of Chemical Compounds off the Compost of Municipal Refuse;2. Changes in Nitrogen Compounds

In order to examine the seasonal variation of organic and inorganic nitrogen compounds, nitrogen compounds in compost were determined at various composting periods. Total nitrogen, organic nitrogen and biodegradable nitrogen contents in compost were almost not changed, while nonbiodegradable nitrogen contents were increased a little with the lapse of composting time. But effective contents of total nitrogen, organic nitrogen and biodegradable nitrogen were decreased with the progress of composting, while effective contents of nonbiodegradable nitrogen were not changed during composting. Ammonium nitrogen contents in compost were highest at the start of composting, and then the contents were decreased with the lapse of composting time. But after turning the contents were increased again, and thereafter the contents were decreased with the progress of composting. Nitrate contents showed a tendency adverse to ammonium nitrogen contents. Organic nitrogens in organic matter in compost were increased slowly within 9 weeks after composting, and thereafter the contents were increased rapidly to 21 weeks after composting. Total nitrogen contents determined by Method were higher than those determined by Kjeldahl Method. Total nitrogen contents determined by Kjeldahl Method were 6% higher than biodegradable nitrogen contents determined by Method. Loss of nitrogen in compost was highest at early periods of composting and its losses determined by Kjeldahl Method and Method in 30 weeks after composting were 50% and 48% of total nitrogen, respectively. Highly positive correlations were observed among total nitrogen determined by Kjeldahl Method, biodegradable nitrogen determined by Kjeldahl Method, total nitrogen determined by Method and biodegradable nitrogen determined by Method one another.