Odor and H2S Levels from Minnesota Pig Manure Storage Units.

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

Considering the negative impact pig production can have on the neighbors by the odor emissions and also the concern in Minnesota associated with the state standard on H2S on ambient air (30 ppb for 1/2 hour not to be exceeded twice in 5 days or 50 ppb for 1/2 hour not to be exceeded twice in one year) a study was initiated (measurements done in the fall 1996 and the spring and summer 1997) to evaluate a variety of manure storage systems from around the state. The air samples collected in a floating “equilibrium” chamber were analyzed by a panel using and olfactometer to determine the odor concentration (odor units). and H2S measurements were done by a Jerome TM meter (for concentration lower than 20 ppm) and also using Sensidyne TM colorimetric detector tubes. The results collected from the different pig manure storage systems (40 in total divided into 4 types of storage: indoor deep pits (14), outdoor concrete/metal structures (8), earthen basins (14), and 2nd stage earthen basins (4)) did not show any advantage of a system over another when considering odor dilution thresholds and H2S concentrations. Variations seem to occur seasonally with odor levels higher in the spring and H2S concentrations higher in the fall. Further measurements will be done in 1997-1998 and more information will be available to help explain some variations.

This experiment will give valuable information about manure storage systems considering odor and H2S emissions and the possible seasonal variations. No system seems to present better performances but attention could be given to certain period of the year when the emissions are higher if some treatments or measures were to be consider for odor or H2S abatement.

European Interlaboratory Comparaison Olfactometry – Experiences and Results of a Participating Laboratory

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In 1992, at the demand of the European Committee for Standardization (Comite europeen de normalisation CEN) a working group was formed to develop a standard method to determine odour concentrations using dynamic olfactometry. Two years later a draft CEN Standard was presented and in 1995 the working group decided to validate these Standard by an international ringtest. In the summer 1996, 19 European participants realized olfactometry tests using the developed CEN Standard . The procedures of the ringtest are presented in the proceeding and n-butanol was used as odour source as its concentration can be measured and identical samples could be sent to the participant laboratories. The CEN Standard as the guideline VDI 3881 (Germany) provides precise description of the common olfactometric methods but it also gives quality requirements. Testing of all the elements of the Standard (dilution equipment calibration, panel selection and odour threshold measurement) was done in the “European Interlaboratory Comparison Olfactometry”.
Panel selection is an important part in the CEN Standard as it has an important impact in the results obtained.

Olfactometry is an important tool in the determination of odour intensity of a specific source particularly when the emissions are constituted of many different compounds which can’t be chemically analyzed as a whole and as the determination of the concentration of one or two components can’t give significant information of the odour level of the mix. However olfactometry is a complicated process and the results depend greatly in the respect of specific procedures. The CEN Standard were developed so the used of a standard method could allow comparisons between laboratories and in time. This method could then be used to compare or develop odour control methods, products or policies through out Europe and elsewhere if the Standard is used.

Pathogens Found in Water Contaminated by Manure

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As water is a necessity for both human and livestock, when contaminated water can have severe effects on the health of both. Important quantities of water can be contaminated as ill animals and humans can excrete large numbers of oocysts, bacteria or viruses. Different manure treatments can control and lower the pathogen load. Monitoring the water routinely on farms could help prevent disease transmission and all measures that prevent manure from contaminating water sources have to be taken.

This article is very general and unfortunately doesn’t make any links between swine production and specific water contamination cases or disease outbreak. The risks coming from swine production are real but this article doesn’t help evaluate them.

Effects of Dust and Contaminants in Animal Buildings on Human Health and Control Strategies

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Energy content of barley

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Formulation of commercial pig diets requires an increasing degree of precision, in order to minimize the cost of production, optimize performance and achieve the highest quality of carcass possible. Such precision, while necessary, is difficult to achieve, given the high degree of variation in common feed ingredients. For example, the level of digestible energy in barley can vary by as much as 8 a

Buller steer syndrome review.

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Farrowing behaviour and stillbirth in two environments: an evaluation of the restraint-stillbirth hypothesis.

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Ammonia volatilization and dust concentration as affected by ventilation systems in houses for fattening pigs.

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One way to improve air quality inside houses for fattening pigs is to locate the air inlet near the breathing zones of pigs and the stockman and the outlet near the main source of contaminants, i.e. the slatted floor and slurry pit. This may increase the total emission of ammonia by speeding up the airflow above the emitting area. To investigate this, a ventilation system with the inlet in the feeding passage and the outlet just above the slatted floor (system F) was compared with a system common in the Netherlands having a high, diffuse inlet and a high outlet (system C). The two ventilation systems were installed in each of two rooms in an experimental house. A layer of oil was used on the slurry to decrease the volatilization of ammonia from the pit. Continuous measurements were made of the ventilation rate and of the ammonia concentrations in the air inlet and outlet, in the slurry pit, and at animal level on the solid and slatted floors. Dust concentrations were measured 1.5 m above the floor in the feeding passage. The urine-wetted area of the solid floor was recorded. In comparison with system C, system F gave significantly lower values for dust concentration in the feeding passage (P<0.001) and for ammonia concentration at animal level on the solid and slatted floors (P<0.05). There was no difference between ventilation systems with regard to ammonia emission or the urine-wetted area of the solid floor. It is concluded that air quality in houses for fattening pigs can be improved by a low air inlet in the floor of the feeding passage and a low outlet just above the slatted floor and slurry pit, instead of a high diffuse inlet and a high outlet; these locations do not affect the total emission of ammonia to the environment.

Measuring Emission Rates of Ammonia, Methane and Nitrous Oxide from Full-Sized Slurry and Manure Stores

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Improvements in the sampling methods for nitrous oxide and methane have to done to help doing measurements on site.

Reducing Ammonia Emission from Composting Swine Feces Using Microorganisms

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The results showed that the use of bacteria at high temperature of the manure (50-55 C) can assimilate ammonium and reduce ammonia emissions by a composting process. The assimilation mechanism involved will have to be investigated further. The experiment was realized in laboratory in very controlled condition. The assimilation of the bacteria would need to be investigated in real scale situation. The cost of such a treatment is not presented.