Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions from a Mechanically Ventilated Swine Building During Warm Weather

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Hydrogen sulfide gas is on of the most dangerous gases produced from manure decomposition, being produced through anaerobic fermentation of manure. Hydrogen sulfide concentration of 50 ppb can cause dizziness, nauisea and irriatation of the respiratory tract, and concentrations in excess of 1,000 ppb can cause respiratory paralysis or death.

Hydrogen sulfide concentration were measured in three locations in a naturally ventilated grower-finisher barn: pit-head space, pit fans and wall fans. Average daily mean concentration ranged from 158 – 197 ppb, averaging 158 +/-21 for all three locations, with a maximum and minimum of 38 and 536 ppb respectively. There were also wide daily concentration fluctuations and moderate concentration diffeences wre apparent between the three locations. Demonstrating the importance of selecting the proper location for measurement.

The average daily hydrogen sulfide emission was 587 +/-57 g/d or 7.0 +/- g/d per 500 kg of body weight from the building. The daily hydrogen sulfide emsissions were between 2-6 g/d per 500 kg fo body weight over half of the days that were being tested. The daily indoor concentration levels were found to be inversely porporational to the ventilation rate and inside temperature. The daily emission rate was directly porportional to the ventilation rate, temperature and pig weight.

Nutrient Removal from Swine Wasteater with Growing Duckweed

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Due to their limited land base, North Carolina has examined various means of treating swine wasterwater in order to reduce nutrient content, in particular nitrogena dn phosphorus. One method as been the incorporation of plant species including: weater hyacinth, duckweed and microalgae. Duckweed is the most practical of these alternatives, a high nutrient absoprtion rate, fast plant growth and a high protein compostion (allowi it to be used as alternative feedstuff).

Facts on Pfiesteria

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The swine production along with human wastes, poultry, fertilizer and urban runoff are suspected to have trigger the development of Pfiesteria to its toxic forms in estuaries where the rivers join the oceans. The toxic form of Pfiesteria feeds on the fishes resulting in dying fishes from bloody sores. A massive hog manure spill has been linked to subsequent major fish kill by Pfiesteria in 1995 in North Carolina. Research will be done to evaluate the situation and also the contribution of the pork industry to the problem. The pork producers are encouraged in the mean time to protect themselves by the promotion and adoption of stringent waste management standards.

The contribution of swine production to the problem of nutrients’ increased load in the water and undesirable micro-organisms activity has to be investigated by systematic research considering whole system approach and watershed evaluation. Otherwise this production already pointed out as causing environmental problems could be easily blamed as being the problem.

A Survey of Ventilation Rates in Livestock Buildings in Northern Europe

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Ventilation rates in 329 livestock buildings in Northern Europe (England, The Netherlands, Denmark and
Germany) in winter and summer were estimated from a carbon dioxide (mass balance). On the basis of 500 kg liveweight, the mean ventilation rate across all countries was 341 m3/h for cattle, 241 m3/h for pigs and 451 m3/h for poultry during winter. The corresponding summer ventilation rates were 404, 428 and 965 m3/h (500 kg) liveweight, respectively. Recommended maximum ventilation rates in summer were not reached in some pig and poultry houses: the installed capacity may have been insuA

COMPOSTING PIGGERY WASTE: A REVIEW

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Production of Carbon Dioxide in a Deep-Pit Swine Finishing House

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Carbob dioxide is produced many from animal respiration, however other factors such as manure release, outside air and combustion heating systems also contribute to production. Problems tend to rise with carbon dioxide in cases when power fails for several hours allowing levels to build within the barn. This study set out to measure carbon dioxide concentration levels at frequent intervals, investigate the production rate of carbon dioxide and evaluate the impact pig weight, ventilation rate and temperature have on production and concentration.

Average carbon dioxide concentration throughout the experiment was 936 ppm at the pit fans, 1,017 at the wall fans and 1,227 in the pit headspace. Carbon dioxide concentration levels were found to be inverselt porportional to the ventilation rate and inside/outside temperature, while being directly porportional to pig weight. Carbon dioxide production ranged from 45 to 348 kg/hr averaging 111 kg/hr with a average pig weight of 49,143 kgs. Average carbon dioxide producton and ventilation rate revealed two peaks at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm throughout the day. This was not evident in other studies, however similar results were found with ammonia production (Ni, 1998). Carbon dioxide production was directly porportional to temperature, ventilation rate and pig weight. Carbon dioxider production rates were higher for this study with respect to Ni (1998), however higher temperature and ventilation rates account for the difference.

Swine Manure as a Source of Plant Nutrients

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Many people think of swine mnaure as a waste, however the western Canadian experience has shown it to be a valuable source of plant nutreints when properly applied. Certain issues surrounding swine manure as a plant source still need to be examined. First, swine manure provides valuable plant nutrients but they are in a form of low nutrient content by weight. Concentrations of nutrient per unit volume are low when compared to commercial fertilizers, and nutrient concentrations may not be in the appropriate balance as per fertilizer recommendations. Second, variability of composition and nutrient content of swine manure. Nutrient levels are dependant on storage time, handling, agitation and feed rations, with much of the variability relating to the total solifds content. Third, not all nutrients in swine manure are immediately plant available. Estimates between 20-50% of the nitrogen available in swine manure is available in the organic form. The rate at which this organic form breaks down is dependant on temperature, mositure and soil type, therefore making it difficult to estimate the amount of plant available nutrients in a given year. Fourth, adjust the rates of swine manure application to meet nutrient requirements. Quite often nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient in soils that have never had a manure application. Initially application rates can be based on nitrogen, however long term application of manure will increase other nutrient sources (phosphorus). This can result in a nutrient overload if not properly managed, yearly measurements of soil electrical conductivity and sodium absoption ratio will help to determine any potential problems arising. Fifth is the timing and method of swine manure application. Injection of swine manure not only limits odours and prevents surface runoff, it reduces volatile ammonia loss relative to surface application. Late fall application of manure will result in less nitrogen loss resulting from the soils inabaility to warm up enough and stimulate microbial conversion of ammonium to nitrate which is then susceptible to leaching or denitrification losses. Swine manure can be used as a value source of fertilizer if managed properly. Emphasis needs to be placed on managing manure similar to other fertilizers: using fertilizer nutrient content and soil test / fertilizer recommendation information in order to calclulate rates of application that match the crops abaility to use nutrients applied and produce economic yield responses.

Impact of Swine Waste Laggons on Shallow Ground Water in North Carolina

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Recent environment concerns regarding hog production in Niorth Carolina was the precusor for House Bill 6053. Bill 6053 directed North Carolina State University to determine the extent in whichj animal waste lkagoons pose athreat, if any to ground water in the state. Samples were taken from shallow ground water at 125 fyt from the laggon, and any available surface water were also sampled. The results indictaed approximately 65% of the groundwater has seepage losses sufficient enough to exceed the NO3-N drinking water stamndard of 10 ppm at 125 ft from the lagoon. Approximately 38% of the sites show strong plumes, sufficient enough to adversely impact downgradient discharge. Only 16 of the 34 locations had surface water nearby. Of these 16 locations seven did not show a apparent N enrichment, therefore 8 locations showed N enrichment that might be a result of lagoon seepage, however onlyt one was most likely to be created by seepage.

Consequences of New Scientific Findings for Future Abatement of Ammonia Emissions

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INFLUENCE OF PEDOLOGICAL AND CLIMATIC FACTORS ON NITROGEN MINERALIZATION IN SOILS TREATED WITH PIG SLURRY COMPOST

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