Nitrous Oxide Emissions During Nitrification and Denitrification of Pig Manure

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1997 | No Comments

The objectives of the experiment was to measure the emissions of N2O during aerobic treatment and also to evaluate the parameters that maintain stable operation for aerobic treatment with the minimum ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions. Raw manure should be added constantly to help in the nitrification denitrification process and lower emissions of N2O. Diluted manure to 1,5% DM(dry matter) seems to be more stable that for higher DM. The experiment was done in laboratory (reactor 6 L). Real scale experiments would be needed to confirm those results.

Regulatory Control of Nitrogen Emissions in a Modified Deep Litter System

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More investigation has to be done to determine litter aeration rates, litter bed mixes to improve the composting process and try to find ways to lower N-emission as ammonia and particularly as nitrous oxide. Comparaison of this technique with more conventional one should also be done.

Dutch Policy for Low Emission Housing Systems

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One of the major objectives of Dutch Agricultural Ministry is the reduction of ammonia emissions. As a mean to achieve this objective, the Green Label Foundation was established by the farmers and government in order to develop low emission housing systems and promote emission reduction. Green Labels are issued from the Foundation to farmers that invest or wish to invest in low emission housing. An other role of the Foundation is to inform farmers of the emission factor allowed per animal categories and the available housing systems that can keep the emission lower than that factor. As announced in the Minister’s 1995 Policy Intention, new measures to reduce the ammonia emissions will be introduced in 1998 under the 1998 General Administrative Order. The farmers that have obtained a Green Label won’t have to take further ammonia reduction measures for the first fifteen years. The publication present the Green Label and also a survey of low emission housing systems.

Impact des bols et des trA

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The impact of the use of water bowls and wet/dry feeders on the volume of manure produced has been verified in 15 farms: 5 farms equipped with nipple drinkers (to compare), 5 others equipped with bowl drinkers and the last 5 equipped with wet/dry feeders. The results showed that a reduction of 34% in the volume of manure produced could be obtained with the use of wet/dry feeders compared to nipple drinkers and for the water bowls, this reduction varied from 30 to 40%. An analysis of the results showed that the differences between the bowls and the wet/dry feeders are no statistically significant. The volume capacity of manure storage facilities for farms equipped with bowls and wet/dry feeders could be reduced by 35% compared with a farm equipped with nipple drinker.

The results show no real difference between wet/dry feeders and water bowls in the total volume of manure produced. Means to reduce water wastage have to be considered as the excess manure produced has to be stored and subsequently spread. The extra water coming from spillage contribute only in more dilution of the nutrients in the manure.

A Guide to Pipeline Manure Injection Systems

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Pipeline injection systems for hog manure make efficient use of the nutrients present in the manure and minimize odour problems. However, they are costly to install. The level of investment varies with the size and complexity of the system. The reductions of transportation costs, road damages and risks for soil compaction associated with slurry wagon have to be considered in the economic evaluation of pipeline systems. Different pipeline systems are discussed as well as injection / application tools and incorporation equipements. An exemple is also given to help sizing systems. Tips are also given to evaluate whether it is better to buy or hire to do manure application with pipeline manure injection systems.

Body Composition and Protein and Fat Accretion in Various Body Components in Growing Gilts Fed Diets with Different Protein Levels but Estimated to Contain Similar Levels of Ideal Protein

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The effects of different dietary protein levels were measured with a comparative slaughter technique. Body composition and protein and fat excretion were measured in various body component in Yorkshire gilts. Eight gilts were slaughter at 20 kg at the beginning of the experiment to determine the initial body composition. 3 groups of 24 gilts were assigned different diets for the growth period 20 to 55 kg ( one group fed on a 16.6 % crude protein (CP), and the 2 others 15.0 and 13.0% CP respectively). 8 gilts from each group were slaughter at this time (55 kg) to verify body composition. For the finishing period, the CP was reduced by approximately 2% on each diet and the remaining gilts were slaughter at 100 kg. The CP levels did not affect the carcass retail cuts, except for smaller trimmed ham for the gilts fed 13% and 11% CP diets. For the same group of gilts, the fat content of the empty body and in the carcass was the highest and the water accretion was the lowest. No effect of the level of crude protein could be observed for the chemical body composition, the protein and fat accretion rates, and the estimated lean yields.

This experiment verified the effect on different crude protein concentration on the body composition of gilts. The results showed that difference noticed for the lowest crude protein diet (13% crude protein in the diet for growing period and 11% for the finishing) were on the smaller size of the trimmed ham, highest fat content in the empty body and lowest water retention rate. Reduced protein corn/soybean meal based diets supplemented with amino acids, for the growing (13% CP) and finishing (12,8% CP) stages, does not affect the body composition, the estimated carcass lean yield, and the nutrient deposition rate for pigs that have a better potential than average for lean growth.

Malodour Abatement by Different Covering Materials

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The capacity of controlling odor emissions of low cost organic and inorganic materials used to cover manure surface was studied in a research project. 14 steel tanks of 1.83 m diameter by 1.22 m high were buried 0.9m in the soil and the tanks were filled with manure on 0.9 m (0.32 m left on top for cover treatment). Different covering materials were applied on the manure surface: chopped straw, cornstalks, polyethylene open mesh with a liquid surface film, Leka rock, and foam generated from air bubbles and manure solids. Their odor control capacity was verified by olfactometry analysis and chemical analysis of air samples taken in the headspace of each tanks weekly for 9 weeks. The chemical analysis were done with sample detector tubes on the following identified compounds: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, ethyl mercaptan and methyl mercaptan. Results show that straw, cornstalks, Leka rock, and surface foam can reduce odors, the reusable Leka rock being the more costly ($150 to $180 U.S. /m3). For scale applications the odor reduction rate and the cost still have to be determined to find acceptable manure covering strategies. The effect of wind on the material applied on large tanks and also the covers’ longevity and integrity still have to be investigated on real scale tanks.

The behavior of those covers was not verified for large tanks; the covers giving the more promising results should be verified for field situations. Odor reduction capacities should be determined and also the techniques for cover application and maintenance. The choice of a covering strategy for farm application could than be done.

Evaluation of Commercial Manure Additives to Control Odors from Swine Barns

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The protocol is presented and some analysis results are shown to validate this protocol. Only two buildings are compared, one treated and one that hasn’t been treated. The validity of the results would be increased if more than one building was used to test each additives.

Analyse olfactive : du nez humain au nez electronique. (Olfactive Analysis : from human nose to electronic nose)

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Smell plays a great role in our feeling of comfort and the appreciation of odour is greatly subjective. The human odour analysis is a very complex process linking the olfactive epithelium in the nasal cavity to the brain by nervous stimulation. For qualitative analysis the human nose is still the best tool and is reserved to “good noses”. For quantitative analysis where the odour intensity is measured, the dynamic dilution olfactometer is the more accurate method for now. Using a panel of persons, odour dilution is done according to a specific protocol and the responses of the panel is analyzed to evaluate the odour intensity. This method is in constant development and is considered a worldwide reference for normalization recommendations; odour units per m3 are used when odour intensity is evaluated.
In the last 10 years considerable work has been done to develop electronic noses. Many “chemical sensitive” materials with specific physical and chemical properties have been developed to react to the odour chemical components. With some materials, the reactions will produce a change in their electric resistance (MOS: Metal Oxide Sensor) or in their conductance (CP: conducting polymer) or with the QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance) and the SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor) a change in the oscillation frequency of the material will be measured depending of the mass of the adsorbed substance. The analysis of the signals obtained with these materials is very complex. In selecting and developing a nose it is important to consider if the results obtained are consistent over a number of samples, in time for a specific sample, and also for a sample from one machine to another(especially for comparisons between laboratories) and also to make sure that the nose is sensitive but robust and has a good lifetime. The results obtained with the nose have t be well analyzed and various methods are available.
The electronic noses are used in the food industry, the cosmetic industry and in environment to measure very specific chemicals.

This article is very interesting and gives a lot of information necessary to understand better all the processes in human smell and electronic nose. The dynamic dilution olfactometer is the method considered internationally as the electronic noses are developed for more and more applications.

Anti-pollution groups target farm waste

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Four new anti-pollution groups formed on the weekend in the London area mostly in reaction to the closing of many of lake Huron’s prime beaches. They go after farm operations, faulty septic sewage systems of cottages and residences and want to bring in the toughest environmental laws.
In the meantime in Huron County, hog farmers announced that they plan to put up their own regulation system to deal with “their few bad citizens”. An hotline is to be put up and complaints about pork farmers will be analyzed and handled by a peer group. That can go up to the Ministry of Environment if the faulty farmers don’t take action and fix the problem . A manure spill in the Stephen Township was successfully handled that way last week. Also a scientific study will be backed by the producers to identify the pollution sources of Lake Huron’s beaches.
The Huron County pork producers consider that they have a share of the problem but that the attention of the environmental groups should be also on the pollution problems coming from septic tank systems which is the main treatment system for rural residences.
Joe Gleason (environmental activist) presented two bylaws directed to septic systems homeowners and farmers. The 1st one requiring yearly inspection and certification of septic systems and the 2nd one requiring that the review and certification that the farm practices are environmentally proper. In both cases a $1 000-a-year environmental tax would be paid if the homeowner or the farmer don’t go through with the inspection and certification process.
Gleason also calls for meetings and other group set ups to support and lobby the bylaws. He also wants to set up a Web site to share information about pollution.

Two different things are happening: environmental activist groups’ organization and farmers’ organization. Even if measures are taken by farmers, the groups don’t seem to consider it and go ahead with their bylaw projects. As in many case the communication and the will to work together lack. Solution will come by proposal endorsed by both parties.