RESPIRATION ACTIVITY OF FLY ASH MIXED WITH COMPOST

Respiration activity of fly ash mixed with compost is associated with total oxygen demand or the rate of carbon dioxide evolution. It is also affected by temperature, humidity, vegetation cover, organic matter content, pH, as well as the type and rate of fertilizers. The objective of this study was to determine the respiration activity, measured as carbon dioxide emission from fly ash and mixtures of fly ash with compost, under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The relationships between respiration activity and the pH and organic carbon content of substrates were also analyzed. It was found that carbon dioxide emission was significantly affected by compost dose, incubation temperature and the moisture content of substrates. The research revealed a negative correlation between CO sub(2) emission and the organic carbon content of substrates.