Aerobic Digestion
Aerobic digestion is the biological decomposition of organic substances by various micro-organisms, whose development depends on the presence of oxygen[1]. Carbon dioxide, (CO2), water (H2O) and heat are released during the metabolization process with the level of heat generated dependant on the level of metabolic activity[1].
Composting is an example of aerobic digestion as the organic substances in garden and food waste are broken down over time via various microorganisms in the presence of oxygen. The resultant material is a nutrient-rich ‘compost’ which can be spread or added to land/soil to be used in place of a synthetic fertiliser.