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Application of Pit Humus and Compost

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'''Compost is the soil-like substance resulting from the controlled aerobic degradation of organics. Pit humus is the term used to describe the material removed from a double pit technology (S.4, S.5 or S.6) because it is produced passively underground and has a slightly different composition than compost. Both products can be used as soil conditioners.'''

The process of thermophilic composting generates heat (50 to 80 °C) which kills the majority of pathogens present. The composting process requires adequate carbon, nitrogen, moisture, and air. The [[Double Ventilated Improved Pit|Double VIP ]] (S.4), [[Fossa Alterna|Fossa Alterna ]] (S.5) or [[Twin Pits for Pour Flush|Twin Pits for Pour Flush ]] (S.6) are ambient-temperature variations of high-temperature composting. In these technologies, there is almost no increase in temperature because the conditions in the pit (oxygen, moisture, C:N ratio) are not optimized for composting processes to take place. Because of this, the material is not actually ‘compost’ and is, therefore, referred to as ‘pit humus’. The texture and quality of the pit humus depends on the materials which have been added to the excreta (e.g., soil added to a Fossa Alterna) and the storage conditions.

WHO guidelines on excreta use in agriculture stipulate that compost should achieve and maintain a temperature of 50 °C for at least one week before it is considered safe to use. Achieving this value, however, requires a significantly longer period of composting. For technologies that generate pit humus, a minimum of 1 year of storage is recommended to eliminate bacterial pathogens and reduce viruses and parasitic protozoa. WHO guidelines should be consulted for detailed

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