Composts - Determination of Respiration Rate

Standard CAN/BNQ 0413-220
Organic Soil Conditioners - Composts - Determination of Respiration Rate - Respirometric Method

The use of compost as a soil conditioner is an excellent fertilization method that is inexpensive and effective. However, producers must ensure that compost is safe for human health and the environment, in particular by measuring its respiration rate. To that end, the BNQ developed the CAN/BNQ 0413-220 standard, for compost producers. This national standard specifies a method for determining the respiration rate of a compost using respirometry. The respirometric method proposed has been adapted from a method developed by the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) and uses a respirometer to determine the amount of oxygen consumed by the metabolic activity of aerobic microorganisms in a sample of compost over a given period. The method proposed in the standard applies to composts from various sources used as organic soil amendments, and it deals with seven areas:

• principle;
• equipment and reagents;
• apparatus;
• samples (sampling and sample storage);
• procedure (safety measures, calibration, test prerequisites, test portion preparation and testing);
• calculating and expressing the results;
• test report.