Enhancing soil infiltration reduces gaseous emissions and improves N uptake from applied dairy slurry

Effectiveness of mechanical separation for reducing ammonia loss from field-applied slurry: Assessment through literature review and model calculations

To assess solid-liquid separation as a technology to reduce ammonia (NH₃) emission from storage and field application of animal slurry, it is necessary to consider a possible higher NH₃ loss from the solid fraction after application than from raw slurry, as well as losses during storage. A literature review was conducted, and a case study was developed for Denmark, including cattle slurry, pig slurry, and biogas digestate applied by trailing hose, trailing shoe, or open slot injection at five different periods of the year. Standard storage emission factors were used and emission factors after field application were estimated using the ALFAM2 model with input data for dry matter (DM), pH, total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), and separation efficiency all from the literature compilation. In general, a clear reduction in the emission factors after application of the liquid fraction was found relative to application of raw slurry in the literature data. Case study results provide some evidence that separation of cattle slurry or digestate, followed by storage and subsequent application by trailing hose or trailing shoe of the liquid fraction and broadcast application of the solid fraction reduces overall NH₃ loss, with a higher reduction when the solid fraction is incorporated by plowing after 4 h. This effect was not present for pig slurry. For all slurry types when the raw slurry and liquid fraction is applied by open slot injection, the overall reduction in emission due to separation is not present or even negative.

Intermittent operating characteristics of an ecological soil system with two-stage water distribution for wastewater treatment

Ecological soil systems (ESSs) are usually used to remove nitrogen from wastewater. Due to the poor denitrification performance of traditional ecological soil systems (ESSs), this study proposes a two-stage water distribution system to improve the nitrogen removal. The effects of different distribution ratios on the system treatment effect were studied in an intermittent operation mode. After determining the optimal distribution ratio and intermittent operation conditions, the dynamics of system inflow, outflow, and nitrogen removal were monitored. Theoretical analysis of the denitrification mechanism was carried out. The results showed that the optimum water distribution ratio was 2: 1, and a mean total nitrogen removal rate of 60.42% was achieved, which is 23.09% greater than that is typically achieved by the single-section ecological system. Under optimum distribution ratio conditions, the system also demonstrated effective removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), allowing the effluent to satisfy China's urban sewage treatment plant level B emission standards.

Carbon footprint of grain production in China

Due to the increasing environmental impact of food production, carbon footprint as an indicator can guide farmland management. This study established a method and estimated the carbon footprint of grain production in China based on life cycle analysis (LCA). The results showed that grain production has a high carbon footprint in 2013, i.e., 4052 kg ce/ha or 0.48 kg ce/kg for maize, 5455 kg ce/ha or 0.75 kg ce/kg for wheat and 11881 kg ce/ha or 1.60 kg ce/kg for rice. These footprints are higher than that of other countries, such as the United States, Canada and India. The most important factors governing carbon emissions were the application of nitrogen fertiliser (8–49%), straw burning (0–70%), energy consumption by machinery (6–40%), energy consumption for irrigation (0–44%) and CH₄ emissions from rice paddies (15–73%). The most important carbon sequestration factors included returning of crop straw (41–90%), chemical nitrogen fertiliser application (10–59%) and no-till farming practices (0–10%). Different factors dominated in different crop systems in different regions. To identity site-specific key factors and take countermeasures could significantly lower carbon footprint, e.g., ban straw burning in northeast and south China, stopping continuous flooding irrigation in wheat and rice production system.

Summary of performance data for technologies to control gaseous, odor, and particulate emissions from livestock operations: Air management practices assessment tool (AMPAT)

The livestock and poultry production industry, regulatory agencies, and researchers lack a current, science-based guide and data base for evaluation of air quality mitigation technologies. Data collected from science-based review of mitigation technologies using practical, stakeholders-oriented evaluation criteria to identify knowledge gaps/needs and focuses for future research efforts on technologies and areas with the greatest impact potential is presented in the Literature Database tab on the air management practices tool (AMPAT). The AMPAT is web-based (available at www.agronext.iastate.edu/ampat) and provides an objective overview of mitigation practices best suited to address odor, gaseous, and particulate matter (PM) emissions at livestock operations. The data was compiled into Excel spreadsheets from a literature review of 265 papers was performed to (1) evaluate mitigation technologies performance for emissions of odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases (GHGs) and to (2) inform future research needs.

Mitigation of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane emissions from manure management chains: a meta-analysis and integrated assessment

Livestock manure contributes considerably to global emissions of ammonia (NH3 ) and greenhouse gases (GHG), especially methane (CH4 ) and nitrous oxide (N2 O). Various measures have been developed to mitigate these emissions, but most of these focus on one specific gas and/or emission source. Here, we present a meta-analysis and integrated assessment of the effects of mitigation measures on NH3 , CH4 and (direct and indirect) N2 O emissions from the whole manure management chain. We analysed the effects of mitigation technologies on NH3 , CH4 and N2 O emissions from individual sources statistically using results of 126 published studies. Whole-chain effects on NH3 and GHG emissions were assessed through scenario analysis. Significant NH3 reduction efficiencies were observed for (i) housing via lowering the dietary crude protein (CP) content (24-65%, compared to the reference situation), for (ii) external slurry storages via acidification (83%) and covers of straw (78%) or artificial films (98%), for (iii) solid manure storages via compaction and covering (61%, compared to composting), and for (iv) manure application through band spreading (55%, compared to surface application), incorporation (70%) and injection (80%). Acidification decreased CH4 emissions from stored slurry by 87%. Significant increases in N2 O emissions were found for straw-covered slurry storages (by two orders of magnitude) and manure injection (by 26-199%). These side-effects of straw covers and slurry injection on N2 O emission were relatively small when considering the total GHG emissions from the manure chain. Lowering the CP content of feed and acidifying slurry are strategies that consistently reduce NH3 and GHG emissions in the whole chain. Other strategies may reduce emissions of a specific gas or emissions source, by which there is a risk of unwanted trade-offs in the manure management chain. Proper farm-scale combinations of mitigation measures are important to minimize impacts of livestock production on global emissions of NH3 and GHG.

Nitrous oxide emissions from clayey soils amended with paper sludges and biosolids of separated pig slurry

Wastes from animal production and from the paper industry are often used as amendments to agricultural soils. Although data exist on the impacts of raw animal wastes on NO production, little is known regarding the effects of paper wastes and biosolids from treated animal waste. We measured NO emissions for two consecutive snow-free seasons (mid-May through the end of October) from poorly drained clayey soils under corn ( L.). Soils were amended with raw pig slurry (PS) or biosolids (four PS-derived and two paper sludges) and compared with soils with mineral N fertilizer (CaNHNO) or without N addition (Control). Area-based NO emissions from the mineral N fertilizer (average, 8.2 kg NO-N ha; 4.2% of applied N) were higher ( < 0.001) than emissions from the organic amendments, which ranged from 1.5 to 6.1 kg NO-N ha (-0.4 to 2.5% of applied N). The NO emissions were positively correlated with mean soil NO availability (calculated as "NO exposure"), which was highest with mineral N fertilizer. In plots treated with organic amendments (i.e., biosolids and raw PS), NO exposure was negatively correlated to the C:N ratio of the amendment. This resulted in lower NO emissions from the higher C:N ratio biosolids, especially compared with the low C:N ratio PS. Application of paper sludge or PS-derived biosolids to these fine-textured soils, therefore, reduced NO emissions compared with raw PS and/or mineral N fertilizers ( < 0.01).

Gaseous nitrogen and bacterial responses to raw and digested dairy manure applications in incubated soil

A study was conducted under laboratory conditions to compare rates of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) and ammonia (NH(3)) emissions when soil was amended with anaerobically digested dairy manure slurry containing <30% food byproducts, raw dairy manure slurry, or urea. Slurries were applied via surface and subsurface methods. A second objective was to correlate genes regulating nitrification and denitrification with rates of N(2)O production, slurry treatment, and application method. Ammonia volatilization from incubated soil ranged from 140 g kg(-1) of total N applied in digested slurry to 230 g kg(-1) in urea. Subsurface application of raw dairy manure slurry decreased ammonia volatilization compared with surface application. Anaerobic digestion increased N(2)O production. Cumulative N(2)O loss averaged 27 g kg(-1) of total N applied for digested slurry, compared with 5 g kg(-1) for raw dairy slurry. Genes of interest included a 16S rRNA gene selective for β-subgroup proteobacterial ammonia-oxidizers, amoA, narG, and nosZ quantified with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Application of anaerobically digested slurry increased nitrifier and denitrifier gene copies that correlated with N(2)O production. Expression of all genes measured via mRNA levels was affected by N applications to soil. This study provides new information linking genetic markers in denitrifier and nitrifier populations to N(2)O production.

Advanced Manufacturing Method of Engine Turbine Blade of Continuous Fiber Toughening SiC Ceramics

A free form surface reconstruction method based on least square support vector regression is presented. Firstly in order to eliminate noise points, some sample points are chosen from the measured data to construct LS-SVM model. Thus a LS-SVM model to approximate the measured points is obtained. And the distribution probability of the approximation error is figured out. In result, the noise points are eliminated when their error probability is less than the specified threshold value. Then the boundary points are extracted. Lastly the surface model is reconstructed by use of the measured points from which noise points have been eliminated. The results indicate that the reconstruction precision can satisfy the demands of engineering application.

Removing solids improves response of grass to surface-banded dairy manure slurry: a multiyear study

Removing solids from slurry manure helps balance nutrients to plant needs and may increase soil infiltration rate toreduce loss of ammonia. The long-term effects of applying the separated liquid fraction (SLF) of dairy slurry with surface banding applicators are not well known. This 6-yr study compared the yield, N recovery, and stand persistence of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) receiving SLF at 300 (SLF300) and 400 (SLF400) kg ha(-1) yr(-1) of total ammoniacal N (TAN); whole dairy slurry (WS) at 200 (WS200), 300 (WS300), and 400 (WS400) kg TAN ha(-1) yr(-1); and mineral fertilizerat 300 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). The slurries were applied four times per year by surface banding, a technique that reduces ammonia emission and canopy contamination. Grass yield and N uptake were significantly higher for SLF300 than WS300 atequivalent rates of TAN. At similar total N, yield and N uptake were much greater for SLF than WS (2 Mg DM ha(-1) and 75 kg N ha(-1), respectively). Apparent total N recoverywas 63% greater for SLF300 than WS300 due to less ammonia loss and less immobile N. The apparent recovery of total N was 31% higher for Fert300 than for SLF300. Yield and N uptake for SLF300 and WS300 were similar in Harvests 1 and4, but SLF had higher values under hot and dry conditions in Harvests 2 and 3. Using SLF rather than WS will increase crop yield and allow higher application volumes near barns, whichwill reduce hauling costs.

Manure application technology in reduced tillage and forage systems: a review

Managing manure in reduced tillage and forage systems presents challenges, as incorporation by tillage is not compatible. Surface-applied manure that is not quickly incorporated into soil provides inefficient delivery of manure nutrients to crops due to environmental losses through ammonia (NH3) volatilization and nutrient losses in runoff, and serves as a major source of nuisance odors. An array of technologies now exist to facilitate the incorporation of liquid manures into soil with restricted or minor soil disturbance, some of which are new: shallow disk injection; chisel injection; aeration infiltration; pressure injection. Surface banding of manure inforages decreases NH3 emissions relative to surface broadcasting, as the canopy can decrease wind speed over the manure, but greater reductions can be achieved with manure injection. Soilaeration is intended to hasten manure infiltration, but its benefits are not consistent and may be related to factors such as soildrainage characteristics. Work remains to be done on refining its method of use and timing relative to manure application, which may improve its effectiveness. Placing manure under the soil surface efficiency by injection offers much promise to improve N use efficiency through less NH3 volatilization, reduced odors and decreased nutrient losses in runoff, relative to surface application. We identified significant gaps in our knowledge as manyof these technologies are relatively new, and this should help target future research efforts including environmental, agronomic, and economic assessments.

Nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of cattle slurry in grassland as affected by method and timing of application

Slurry application with methods such as trailing shoe (TS) results in reduced emissions of ammonia (NH3) compared with broadcast application using splashplate (SP). Timing the application during cool and wet weather conditions also contributes to low NH3 emissions. From this perspective, we investigated whether reduced NH3 emissions due to improved slurry application method and timing results in an increase in the nitrogen (N) fertilizer replacement value (NFRV). The effects of application timing (June vs. April) and application method (TS vs. SP) on the apparent N recovery (ANR) and NFRV from cattle slurry applied to grassland were examined on three sites over 3 yr in randomized block experiments. The NFRV was calculated using two methods: (i) NFRV(N) based on the ANR of slurry N relative to mineral N fertilizer; and (ii) NFRV(DM) based on DM yield. The TS method increased the ANR, NFRV(N), and NFRV(DM) compared with SP in the 40- to 50-d period following slurry application by 0.09, 0.10, and 0.10 kg kg(-1), respectively. These values were reduced to 0.07, 0.06, and 0.05 kg kg(-1), respectively, when residual harvests during the rest of the year were included. The highest NFRV(DM) for the first harvest period was with application in April using STS (0.30 kg kg(-1)), while application in June with SP had the Slowest (0.12 kg kg(-1)). The highest NFRV(DM) for the cumulative harvest period was with application in April using TS (0.38 kg kg(-1)), while application in June with SP had the lowest (0.17 kg kg(-1)). Improved management of application method, by using TS instead of SP, and timing, by applying slurry in April rather than June, offer potential to increase the NFRV(DM) of cattle slurry applied to grassland.

Soil nitrous oxide emissions following band-incorporation of fertilizer nitrogen and swine manure

Treatment of liquid swine manure (LSM) offers opportunities to improve manure nutrient management. However, N2O fluxes and cumulative emissions resulting from application of treated LSM are not well documented. Nitrous oxide emissions were monitored following band-incorporation of 100 kg N ha(-1) of either mineral fertilizer, raw LSM, or four pretreated LSMs (anaerobic digestion; anaerobic digestion + flocculation: filtration; decantation) at the four-leaf stage of corn (Zea mays L.). In a clay soil, a larger proportion of applied N was lost as N2O with the mineral fertilizer (average of 6.6%) than with LSMs (3.1-5.0%), whereas in a loam soil, the proportion of applied N lost as N2O was lower with the mineral fertilizer (average of 0.4%) than with LSMs (1.2-2.4%). Emissions were related to soil NO3 intensity in the clay soil, whereas they were related to water-extractable organic C in the loam soil. This suggests that N2O production was N limited in the clay soil and C limited in the loam soil, and would explain the interaction found between N sources and soil type. The large N2O emission coefficients measured in many treatments, and the contradicting responses among N sources depending on soil type, indicate that (i) the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default value (1%) may seriously underestimate N2O emissions from fine-textured soils where fertilizer N and manure are band-incorporated, and (ii) site-specific factors, such as drainage conditions and soil properties (e.g., texture, organic matter content), have a differential influence on emissions depending on N source.