Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T19:12:25.317Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ammonia volatilization during storage of cattle and pig slurry: effect of surface cover

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

S. G. Sommer ,
B. T. Christensen ,
N. E. Nielsen  and
J. K. Schjφrring
S. G. Sommer
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Nutrition and Physiology, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 23, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
B. T. Christensen
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Nutrition and Physiology, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 23, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
N. E. Nielsen
Affiliation:
Section of Soil, Water and Plant Nutrition, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
J. K. Schjφrring
Affiliation:
Section of Soil, Water and Plant Nutrition, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Gaseous NH3 losses from pig and cattle slurry stored in eight storage tanks were measured simultaneously using wind-tunnels. The slurry was either stirred weekly (uncovered), or was allowed to develop a natural surface crust. Oil, peat, chopped cereal straw, PVC foil, leca® (pebbles of burned montmorillonitic clay) and a lid were tested as additional covers. Convective transport of ammonium to the surface layers caused NH3 volatilization losses of 3–5 g NH3-N/m2 per day from the stirred, uncovered tanks. The loss of NH3 from the stirred slurry was related to air temperature. The development of a natural surface crust reduced NH3 losses to 20% of those from stirred slurry. NH3 losses from slurry not developing a natural surface crust layer and left undisturbed were similar to the losses from stirred slurry. A 15 cm layer of straw was as effective as a surface crust layer in reducing NH3 losses. In one experiment, cracks developed in the oil cover and losses were therefore only reduced to 50% of those of uncovered slurry. Apart from this experiment, NH3 losses from slurry covered with oil, leca®, peat and foil were small.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 121 , Issue 1 , August 1993 , pp. 63 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Asman, W. A. H. & Vanjaarsveld, H. A. (1992). A variable resolution transport model applied for NHx in Europe. Atmospheric Environment 26A, 445–464.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bode, M. J. C. De (1991). Odour and ammonia emissions from manure storage. In Ammonia and Odour Emissions from Livestock Production (Eds Nielsen, V. C., Voorburg, J. H. & L'Hermite, P.), pp. 59–66. London & New York: Elsevier Applied Science Publishers.Google Scholar
Buusman, E., Maas, H. F. M. & Asman, W. A. H. (1987). Anthropogenic NH3 emissions in Europe. Atmospheric Environment 21, 1009–1022.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christensen, B. T. (1986). Ammonia volatilization loss from surface applied animal manure. In Efficient Land Use of Sludge and Manure (Eds Kofoed, A. D., Williams, J. H. & L'Hermite, P.), pp. 193–203. London & New York: Elsevier Applied Science Publishers.Google Scholar
Crooke, W. M. & Simpson, W. E. (1971). Determination of ammonium in Kjeldahl digests of crops by an automated procedure. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 22, 9–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dewes, T., Schmitt, L., Valentin, U. & Ahrens, E. (1990). Nitrogen losses during the storage of liquid livestock manures. Biological Wastes 31, 241–250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hashimoto, A. G., Chen, Y. R. & Varel, V. H. (1980). Theoretical aspects of methane production: state-of-theart. Livestock Waste: A Renewable Resource, 86–92.Google Scholar
Jarvis, S. C. & Pain, B. F. (1990). Ammonia volatilisation from agricultural land. Proceeding No. 298. Peterborough: The Fertilizer Society.Google Scholar
Leuning, R., Denmead, O. T., Simpson, J. R. & Freney, J. R. (1984). Processes of ammonia loss from shallow floodwater. Atmospheric Environment 18, 1583–1592.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muck, R. E. & Steenhuis, T. S. (1982). Nitrogen losses from manure storages. Agricultural Wastes 4, 41–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SChulze, E.-D., De Vries, W., Hauhs, M., Rosén, K., Rasmussen, L., Tamm, C.-O. & Nilsson, J. (1989). Critical loads for nitrogen deposition on forest ecosystems. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 48, 451–456.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sommer, S. G., Olesen, J. E. & Christensen, B. T. (1991). Effects of temperature, wind speed and air humidity on ammonia volatilization from surface applied cattle slurry. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 117, 91–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sommer, S. G., Kjellerup, V. & Kristjansen, O. (1992). Determination of total ammonium nitrogen in pig and cattle slurry: sample preparation and analysis. Ada Agriculturae Scandinavica 42, 146–151.Google Scholar
Vlek, P. L. G. & Stumpe, J. M. (1978). Effects of solution chemistry and environmental conditions on ammonia volatilization losses from aqueous systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 42, 416–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar