Methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions during storage and after application of dairy cattle slurry and influence of slurry treatment [An article from: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment]

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Description:
Slurries are a significant source of CH"4, NH"3 and N"2O emissions to the atmosphere. The research project aimed at quantifying CH"4, NH"3 and N"2O emissions from liquid manure stores and after manure application under field conditions. The influence of the manure treatment options ''no treatment'', ''slurry separation'', ''anaerobic digestion'', ''slurry aeration'' and ''straw cover'' on the emission level was investigated. Approximately 10m^3 of differently treated slurry were stored in pilot scale slurry tanks. Emissions were followed for c. 80 days. After the storage period, slurries were applied to permanent grassland. Greenhouse gas emissions from slurry were mainly caused by methane emissions during storage and by nitrous oxide emissions after field application of manures. Mitigation of GHG emissions can be achieved by a reduction in slurry dry matter and easily degradable organic matter content. Ammonia emissions mainly occurred after field application. Untreated slurry emitted 226.8g NH"3 m^-^3 and 92.4kg CO"2 eq.m^-^3 (storage and field application). Slurry separation (liquid fraction and composting of the solid fraction) resulted in NH"3 losses of 402.9gm^-^3 and GHG losses of 58.5kg CO"2 eq.m^-^3. Anaerobic digestion was a very effective means to reduce GHG emissions. 37.9kg CO"2 eq.m^-^3 were lost. NH"3 emissions were similar to those from untreated slurry. Covering the slurry store with a layer of chopped straw instead of a wooden cover increased NH"3 emissions to 320.4gm^-^3 and GHG emissions to 119.7kg CO"2 eq.m^-^3. Slurry aeration nearly doubled NH"3 emissions compared to untreated slurry. GHG emissions were reduced to 53.3kg CO"2 eq.m^-^3.