Food scraps are specifically omitted from this study. This is a serious mistake. A mass balance sheet is included outlining the fate of compounds such as moisture, CO 2 and energy in the composting process. Feedstocks are irrelevant once the proper composting matrix is created. The resulting bioproducts and their form are also irrelevant.
All organic matter has a half-life in the soil.
The relevant factor is the soil equilibrium value, meaning what rate of compost input is required to equal the rate of oxidation. The soil matrix should be looked upon as an active, dynamic instrument, not a static sink with a one-time application of compost. An alternative to the Century or the Rothamsted models of carbon sequestering is offered. It is called the Carbon Reservoir model. In this model, carbon sinks are evaluated according to the total soil carrying capacity for organic matter.