Patterns and quantities of NH(3), N(2)O and CH(4) emissions during swine manure composting without forced aeration--effect of compost pile scale

To evaluate the NH(3), N(2)O, and CH(4) emissions from composting of livestock waste without forced aeration in turned piles, and to investigate the possible relationship between the scale of the compost pile and gas emission rates, we conducted swine manure composting experiments in parallel on small- and large-scale compost piles. Continuous measurements of gas emissions during composting were carried out using a chamber system, and detailed gas emission patterns were obtained. The total amount of each gas emission was computed from the amount of ventilation and gas concentration. NH(3) emission was observed in the early period of composting when the material was at a high temperature. Sharp peaks in CH(4) emission occurred immediately after swine manure was piled up, although a high emissions level continued after the first turning only in the large-scale pile. N(2)O emissions started around the middle stage of the composting period when NH(3) emissions and the temperature of the compost material began to decline. The emission rates of each gas in the small and large piles were 112.8 and 127.4 g NH(3)-N/kg T-N, 37.2 and 46.5 g N(2)O-N/kg T-N, and 1.0 and 1.9 g CH(4)/kg OM, respectively. It was found that changing the piling scale of the compost material was a major factor in gas emission rates.     

猪粪堆肥化处理过程中的氮素转变及腐熟度研究

经过63d堆肥化处理后,猪粪与木屑混合堆肥及猪粪,木屑与树叶混合堆肥的T－N分别从开始的1．57％和1．78％增加到2．0％和2．11％;水溶性NO3－N／水溶性T－N均从接近于0的水平增加到3％左右;水溶性有机N／水溶性T－N分别增加到70％和76％;水溶性NH4－N／水溶性T－N则分别从开始52％和61％下降至堆肥结束时的30％和24％。种子发芽系数的测定结果表明,加入树叶有利于猪粪的腐熟化,可使猪粪堆肥化处理所城的时间从42d缩短至35d。化学指标与种子发芽系数的相关分析结果表明,水溶性NH4－N／水溶性T－N,水溶性NO3－N／水溶性T－N和水溶性有机N／水溶性T－N均与种子发芽系数呈显著相关,可作为堆肥的腐熟度评价指标。     

Methods to improve the composting process of the solid fraction of dairy cattle slurry

Cattle slurry solid fraction (SF) with different dry matter (DM) contents was collected from two dairy farms and composted in static and turned piles, with different sizes and cover types, to investigate the effects of pile conditions on the physical and chemical changes in SF during composting and to identify approaches to improve final compost quality. Thermophilic temperatures were attained soon after separation of SF, but the temperature of piles covered with polyethylene did not increase above 60 degrees C. The rate of organic matter (OM) mineralisation increased for turned piles in comparison to static piles, but the maximum amount of mineralisable OM (630-675gkg(-1)) was similar for all pile treatments. The C/N ratio declined from over 36 to a value of 14 towards the end of composting, indicating an advanced degree of OM stabilisation. Mature compost was obtained from raw SF feedstock as indicated by the low compost temperature, low C/N ratio, and low content of NH(4)(+) combined with increased concentrations of NO(3)(-). The efficiency of the composting process was improved and NH(3)-N losses were minimized by increasing DM content of the SF, reducing the frequency of pile turning and managing compost piles without an impermeable cover.     

畜禽粪便堆肥过程中各种氮化合物的动态变化及腐熟度评价指标

对不同畜禽粪便在堆肥过程中各种含氮化合物的动态变化进行了研究,结合综合性腐熟度评价指标——种子发芽指数（GI）,探讨了畜禽粪便堆肥过程中与氮有关的腐熟度评价指标.结果表明：随着堆肥的进行,除奶牛粪外,其它畜禽粪便的全氮（TN）含量均呈先下降而后平稳变化趋势,奶牛粪则呈先增加而后平稳变化趋势;各种畜禽粪便中,碱解性氮（HN）含量先增后降;NH₄⁺-N含量先下降而后保持平稳;NO₃^- -N含量则持续增加;NH₄⁺ -N/NO₃^- -N迅速降低.堆肥腐熟度指标中,除综合性评价指标GI值外,HN/TN和NH₄⁺ -N/TN也可作为评价畜禽粪便腐熟程度的优选指标,而NO₃^- -N/TN只能作为一般性评价指标.根据综合性评价指标GI值达到腐熟要求的标准（GI>0.50）,除仔猪粪外,其它畜禽粪便在HN/TN<20.77％、NH₄⁺ -N/TN<10.06％及NO₃^- -N/TN>0.38％时基本达到腐熟要求.     

Co-composting of soybean residues and leaves in Hong Kong

The goal of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of co-composting of soybean residues and leaves and the effects of turning frequency on compost quality. Soybean residues were mixed with leaves and sawdust in 1:1:3 (w/w wet weight) for achieving a C/N ratio of about 30. Three heaps of about 4 m3 of compost mixtures were prepared receiving a turning frequency of daily (pile A), 3-day (pile B) and weekly (pile C) turning. Different turning frequencies did not significantly affect the changes in pH and volatile solids throughout the composting period. High turning frequency caused a lower electrical conductivity and NH4-N contents as well as a shorter duration of thermophilic phase, because of a high heat loss by evaporation and volatilization of ammonia in the pile. The highest C decomposition of 4% occurred in the pile with a 3-day turning period, which coincided with the higher-nitrogen content in this treatment. All treatments with different turning frequencies reached maturation at 63 days as indicated by the soluble organic carbon, soluble NH4-N, C/N ratio and cress seed germination index. However, increasing the aeration during composting period was beneficial in accelerating the maturation process. Taking into consideration less labour and lower operation costs as compared to daily turning, it can be suggested that a 3-day turning frequency would be more appropriate for reaching acceptable quality of compost and ease in operation.     

Effects of struvite formation and nitratation promotion on nitrogenous emissions such as NH3, N2O and NO during swine manure composting

To reduce nitrogenous emissions from composting, two different countermeasures were applied simultaneously in swine manure composting. One was forming struvite by adding Mg and P at the start of composting, and the other was to promote nitratation (nitrite being oxidized nitrate) by adding nitrite-oxidizing bacteria after the thermophilic phase of composting. In the laboratory- and mid-scale composting experiments, 25-43% of NH3, 52-80% of N2O and 96-99% of NO emissions were reduced. From the nitrogen balance, it was revealed that the struvite formation reduced not only NH3, but also other nitrogenous emissions except N2O. The amount of total nitrogen losses was reduced by 60% by the two combined countermeasures, against 51% by the struvite formation alone. However, the nitratation promotion dissolved struvite crystals due to the pH decline, diminishing the effect of struvite as a slow-release fertilizer.     

Composting of high moisture content swine manure with corncob in a pilot-scale aerated static bin system

Pilot composting experiments of swine manure with corncob were conducted to evaluate the performance of the aerated static bin composting system. Effects of temperature control (60 and 70 degrees C) and moisture content (70% and 80%) were monitored on the composting by measuring physical and chemical indexes. The results showed that (1) the composting system could destroy pathogens, converted nitrogen from unstable ammonia to stable organic forms, and reduced the volume of waste; (2) significant difference of NH(4)(+)-N (P(12) = 0.074), and (NO(3)(-) + NO(2)(-))-N (P(12) = 0.085) was found between the temperature control treatments; (3) anaerobic reaction in the treatment with 80% moisture content resulted in significant difference of pH (P(23) = 0.006), total organic matter (P(23) = 0.003), and germination index (P(23) = 0.040) between 70% and 80%. Therefore, the optimum initial moisture content was less than 80% with the composting of swine manure and corncob by using the composting system.     

Performance characteristics of three aeration systems in the swine manure composting

Pilot composting of swine manure mixed with rice straw was carried out to evaluate performance characteristics of three aeration systems: forced aeration, passive aeration and natural aeration. It was expected to provide academic basis for farmers to select an advisable aeration system. The results showed that the thermophilic durations were long enough to satisfy the sanitary standard, and swine manure could reach maturity. The indexes of the composting, including physical changes, pH value, TOC, OM, TKN, WSC, WSN, solid C/N ratio, water-soluble C/N ratio, TOM, NH4+-N, (NO3(-) + NO2(-))-N, and GI had no significant difference among the treatments (P > 0.05) except the average temperature profiles (P12 = 0.001, P13 = 0.036). Economic analysis showed that a passive aeration system was suitable for a small-scale swine farm, and forced aeration system should be considered to apply in the middle and large-scale swine farms with a high extent of industrialization. But, in order to avoid too high temperature occurring during composting, an active aeration control system needed to be developed.     

Nitrogen loss in chicken litter compost as affected by carbon to nitrogen ratio and turning frequency

The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and turning frequency (TF) on the loss of total nitrogen (TN) during composting of chicken litter (a mixture of chicken manure, waste feed, feathers and sawdust) with a view to producing good quality compost. Carbon to nitrogen ratios of 20:1, 25:1 and 30:1 and TF of 2, 4 and 6 days were experimented. The initial physico-chemical properties of the litter were determined. During the composting process, moisture level in the piles was periodically replenished to 55% and the temperature, pH and TN of the chicken litter were periodically monitored. Also, the dry matter (DM), total carbon (TC), total phosphorus (P) and total potassium (K) were examined at the end of composting. The results showed that both C:N ratio and TF had significant (p < or = 0.05) effect on pile temperature, pH changes, TN, TC, P and K losses while DM was only affected (p < or = 0.05) by C:N ratio. All treatments reached maturation at about 87 days as indicated by the decline of pile temperatures to near ambient temperature. Losses of TN, which were largely attributed to volatilization of ammonia (NH3), were highest within the first 28 days when the pile temperatures and pH values were above 33 degrees C and 7.7, respectively. Moisture loss increased as C:N ratio and TF increased. In conclusion, the treatment with a combination of 4 days TF and C:N ratio 25:1 (T4R25) had the minimum TN loss (70.73% of the initial TN) and this indicated the most efficient combination.     

葡萄籽对猪粪秸秆高温堆肥中微生物群落与碳氮含量的影响

以猪粪与秸秆(鲜质量10.5∶1)为基础,在自制的强制通风静态堆肥反应箱中进行堆肥化试验,研究添加8%葡萄籽对猪粪秸秆高温堆肥中微生物群落演替和碳氮转化的影响.在堆肥化的30 d里,分7次采集不同时期的堆肥样品,测定堆肥中微生物区系、微生物生理群的数量及堆肥碳氮含量.结果表明：添加葡萄籽使堆肥中细菌数量略高、放线菌数量显著增加、真菌数量明显降低,细菌/放线菌下降;氨化细菌和反硝化细菌数量降低;而硝化细菌、固氮菌和纤维素分解菌数量增多;铵态氮和有机碳含量下降,而硝态氮含量明显提高.堆肥中硝态氮含量与放线菌数量呈极显著正相关关系.添加葡萄籽使堆体升温快且高温期稳定,堆肥含水率波动较小,从而使堆肥高温期放线菌和亚硝化细菌的波动较小,数量较高,有利于堆肥中硝态氮含量的增加.     

Composting of de-inking paper sludge with poultry manure at three nitrogen levels using mechanical turning: behavior of physico-chemical parameters.

De-inking paper sludge (DPS) is rich in carbon (C) but poor in nitrogen (N). Thus, it has a high C:N ratio which limits the composting process. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the effect of three N treatments on DPS composting. Compost piles of 100 m3 were formed by mixing raw DPS with poultry manure and chicken broiler floor litter, giving on average 0.6%, 0.7% and 0.9% total N. The changes in physico-chemical parameters, total weight and fiber losses, and maturity of composting piles of DPS were monitored during 24 weeks. The compost piles had a neutral to alkaline pH throughout the study. Inorganic N decreased whereas organic N increased over time for all treatments. These changes in magnitude were different among N treatments resulting in a final total N content of 0.9% for the 0.6% N treatment whereas final total N contents of 0.7% and 0.9% N were measured for the 0.7% and 0.9% N treatments. The total weight, cellulose and hemicellulose losses were higher in 0.6% N treatment giving the lowest C:N ratio after 24 weeks of composting. However, none of the 24 week-old composts of DPS were mature based on their final C:N ratio and colorimetric test of maturity. Except for copper, their final total trace element contents meet most known standards or guidelines for organic soil conditioners. Overall, 0.6% N treatment was the best to enhance DPS composting using mechanical turning, but a period of more than 24 weeks was required to reach compost maturity.     

Differences on nitrogen availability in a soil amended with fresh, composted and thermally-dried sewage sludge

Anaerobically-digested sludge called fresh sludge (F), composted sludge (C) and thermally-drying sludge (T), all from the same batch, were applied to the surface of a calcareous Udic Calciustept with loamy texture. Dosage equivalent was 10 t ha(-1) of dry matter. The concentration of mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) in the soil was measured in order to estimate the effects of the post-treatments to which the different kinds of sewage sludge are subjected in relation to the availability of N in the surface layer of the soil. The most significant differences in NH(4)-N and NO(3)-N concentrations due to the transformation of the organic matter were observed during the first three weeks following soil amendment. Thermally-dried and composted sludge initially displayed higher concentrations of ammonium and nitrate in soil. Five months after the amendment, soil applied with fresh sludge showed the highest concentrations of NH(4)-N and NO(3)-N (6.1 and 36.6 mg kg(-1), respectively). It is clear that the processes of composting and thermal-drying influence the bioavailability of nitrogen from the different types of sewage sludge.     

Changes in nitrogen isotopic compositions during composting of cattle feedlot manure: effects of bedding material type

Temporal changes in delta(15)N of cattle feedlot manure during its composting with either rice hull (RHM) or sawdust (SDM) as bedding materials were investigated. Regardless of the bedding material used, the delta(15)N of total N in the manure increased sharply from +7.6 per thousand to +9.9 per thousand and from +11.4 per thousand to +14.3 per thousand, respectively, in RHM or SDM, within 10 days from the commencement of composting. Such increases could be attributed primarily to N loss via NH(3) volatilization and denitrification based on the very high delta(15)N values (greater than +20 per thousand) of NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-) in the co-composted manure. The delta(15)N of total N in RHM was substantially lower (by more than 3 per thousand) than that in SDM, suggesting that the delta(15)N of the composted manure was affected not only by N loss but also by the type of bedding material used. Specifically, the higher N concentration in the rice hull than in the saw dust could lead to a greater (15)N isotope dilution.     

Dynamics of pruning waste and spent horse litter co-composting as determined by chemical parameters

Co-composting of pruning waste and horse manure was monitored by different parameters. A windrow composting pile, having the dimensions 2.5m (height) x 30m (length) was established. The maturation of pruning waste and horse manure compost was accompanied by a decline in NH(4)(+)-N concentration, water soluble C and an increase in NO(3)(-)-N content. Organic matter (OM) content during composting followed a first-order kinetic equation. This result was in agreement with the microbiological activity measured by the CO(2) respiration during the process. The correlation at a high level of probability found between the OM loss and CO(2) evolution showed that both parameters could be used to indicate the degree of OM degradation that is the maturity and stability phases of the compost studied. Humification parameters data from the organic matter fractionation did not show a clear tendency during the composting time, suggesting that these parameters are not suitable for evaluating the dynamics of the process.     

水网平原地区不同种植类型农田氮磷流失特征

采用田间径流小区定位研究方法,在浙江省绍兴县选择27块农田,研究了自然降雨条件下水网平原地区7种种植类型农田N、P的径流流失特征、负荷及影响因素.结果表明： 农田径流总P（TP）、水溶态P（DP）和颗粒态P（PP）的年流失量平均分别为4.75、0.74和4.01 kg·hm^-2;PP占TP的比例高于DP.径流总N（TN）、水溶态总N（DTN）、水溶态有机N（DON）、NH₄⁺-N和NO₃^--N的年流失量平均分别为21.87、17.19、0.61、3.63和12.95 kg·hm^-2;流失的DTN各组分以NO₃^--N为主,其次为NH₄⁺-N,DON的比例较低.不同种植类型农田径流TN、DTN、DON和NO₃^--N的流失量由低至高依次为：休闲地<苗木地<单季晚稻农田<双季稻农田<油菜(或小麦)-单季水稻农田<小麦-早稻-晚稻农田<蔬菜地,而径流TP和PP的流失量依次为：休闲地<苗木地<单季晚稻、双季稻农田<小麦-早稻-晚稻农田<油菜(或小麦)-单季水稻农田<蔬菜地,不同种植类型间的DP流失量差异较小.N、P流失主要发生在作物生产期间,TN和TP的流失比例随作物复种指数的提高而增加.TN、DTN和NO₃^--N流失量主要与N肥施用量有关,土壤中NO₃^--N含量对TN和DTN流失量也有明显影响;农田DON的流失除与N肥施用量有关外,还受土壤全N和有机质积累的影响;NH₄⁺-N的流失量主要与土壤NH₄⁺-N水平有关,受N肥施用量的影响不明显;径流TP和PP的流失量受P肥施用量、土壤P积累的共同影响,而DP的流失与施P量关系不大,但与土壤全P和有效P都存在显著相关关系.     

Allantoin-N concentration changes and analysis of the influencing factors on its changes during different manure composting

Allantoin is one of important nitrogenous compounds in manure. In this study, the simulation experiment of aerobic composting was adopted to explore concentration changes, degradation and relevant influencing factors of allantoin-N during six manure composting. The result showed that the allantoin-N concentration was markedly different among different manures. The various livestock and poultry excreted 1.92-11.14gkg(-1) allantoin-N which accounted for 9.98-32.27% of the total excreted nitrogen. The changing trend of the allantoin-N concentration firstly increased (for 0-14 days), then decreased (for 14-70 days) during different manure composting, and the allantoin-N concentration after composting was lower than the initial allantoin-N concentration in all manure composting. During allantoin degradation for 14-70 days of composting, the half-life of allantoin-N was 57.76 days in broiler manure, 46.21 days in layer-hen manure, 27.73 days in hog manure, 25.67 days in sow manure, 38.51 days in young pig manure and 15.75 days in dairy manure, and the sequence in the half-life was chicken manure>pig manure>dairy manure. Allantoin degradation conformed to first-order kinetics. Through the correlation analysis, hippuric acid, hydrolyzable nitrogen, amino acid-nitrogen, HUN fraction, NO(3)(-)-N and total hydrolyzable nitrogen could be closely related to allantoin-N transforming during composting. Humification could be the main influencing factor for reducing allantoin-N concentration during composting.     

不同管理方式下橡胶林土壤氮动态特征

对西双版纳割胶、未割胶条件下橡胶林种植带土壤及其保护带土壤氮素动态变化特征进行了研究,并比较了不同保护带种植方式(距瓣豆绿肥覆盖与野生杂草覆盖)对土壤氮素动态的影响。结果表明,橡胶林种植带土壤全氮、碱解氮和硝态氮含量低于保护带。橡胶林土壤全氮、碱解氮、铵态氮、硝态氮均呈现明显的动态变化,种植距瓣豆绿肥覆盖与野生杂草生长覆盖的橡胶林土壤氮变化趋势一致。土壤全氮随时间逐渐下降,碱解氮含量先升后降,铵态氮和硝态氮含量变化幅度较大。橡胶林土壤全氮和碱解氮含量呈现表层(0～20cm)>中层(20～40cm)>底层(40～60cm)的趋势,且未割胶处理全氮和碱解氮含量>割胶处理,而保护带为距瓣豆绿肥覆盖的割胶橡胶林>杂草生长覆盖的橡胶林。距瓣豆绿肥覆盖的保护带土壤硝态氮含量高于杂草生长覆盖。碱解氮与铵态氮含量呈显著的负相关、与硝态氮呈显著正相关。割胶橡胶林土壤氮养分含量最低。橡胶林土壤种植豆科距瓣豆绿肥能够改善土壤氮素肥力。     

Growth of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria in cattle manure compost under various temperatures and ammonia concentrations

A recent study showed that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) coexist in the process of cattle manure composting. To investigate their physiological characteristics, liquid cultures seeded with fermenting cattle manure compost were incubated at various temperatures (37°C, 46°C, or 60°C) and ammonium concentrations (0.5, 1, 4, or 10?mM NH (4) (+) -N). The growth rates of the AOB and AOA were monitored using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis targeting the bacterial and archaeal ammonia monooxygenase subunit A genes. AOB grew at 37°C and 4 or 10?mM NH (4) (+) -N, whereas AOA grew at 46°C and 10?mM NH (4) (+) -N. Incubation with allylthiourea indicated that the AOB and AOA grew by oxidizing ammonia. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and subsequent sequencing analyses revealed that a bacterium related to Nitrosomonas halophila and an archaeon related to Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis were the predominant AOB and AOA, respectively, in the seed compost and in cultures after incubation. This is the first report to demonstrate that the predominant AOA in cattle manure compost can grow and can probably oxidize ammonia under moderately thermophilic conditions.     

Modelling of manure production by pigs and NH3, N2O and CH4 emissions. Part II: effect of animal housing, manure storage and treatment practices

A model has been developed to predict pig manure evolution (mass, dry and organic matter, N, P, K, Cu and Zn contents) and related gaseous emissions (methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3)) from pig excreta up to manure stored before spreading. This model forms part of a more comprehensive model including the prediction of pig excretion. The model simulates contrasted management systems, including different options for housing (slatted floor or deep litter), outside storage of manure and treatment (anaerobic digestion, biological N removal processes, slurry composting (SC) with straw and solid manure composting). Farmer practices and climatic conditions, which have significant effects on gaseous emissions within each option, have also been identified. The quantification of their effects was based on expert judgement from literature and local experiments, relations from mechanistic models or simple emission factors, depending on existing knowledge. The model helps to identify relative advantages and weaknesses for each system. For example, deep-litter with standard management practices is associated with high-greenhouse gas (GHG) production (+125% compared to slatted floor) and SC on straw is associated with high NH3 emission (+15% compared to slatted floor). Another important result from model building and first simulations is that farmer practices and the climate induce an intra-system (for a given infrastructure) variability of NH3 and GHG emissions nearly as high as inter-system variability. For example, in deep-litter housing systems, NH3 and N2O emissions from animal housing may vary between 6% and 53%, and between 1% and 19% of total N excreted, respectively. Thus, the model could be useful to identify and quantify improvement margins on farms, more precisely or more easily than current methodologies.     

Effect of low initial C/N ratio on aerobic composting of swine manure with rice straw

Two pilot composting experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of low initial C/N ratio on the composting of swine manure with rice straw by measuring physical and chemical parameters. The results showed that the thermophilic duration of bin 1 and bin 2 was long enough to satisfy the sanitary standard, and swine manure could reach maturity. Bin 1 containing larger amount of swine manure and less amount of rice straw showed a higher nitrogen loss (8%), shorter thermophilic phase, and longer maturity time (about 2 weeks) than bin 2. However, economical analysis showed a lower initial C/N ratio (20) could reduce 172 kg rice straw per ton fresh swine manure than a higher C/N ratio (25), and more swine manure could also be treated. Therefore, a low initial C/N ratio (20) could be suggested in the composting of swine manure with rice straw.