Effect of Eminex® on Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions from Dairy Slurry and Lagoon Wastewater

Abstract

Manure management emits large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) in California. Eminex®, a manure additive, previously demonstrated significant GHG reductions in slurry. However, it has not been tested in lagoon wastewater. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Eminex® on GHG, ammonia (NH3), and ethanol (EtOH) emissions from fresh dairy slurry and dairy lagoon wastewater. Both manures received the following treatments: high (1.0 kg Eminex®/m3 manure), low (0.5 kg Eminex®/m3 manure). Experiments were conducted in four replicates with an untreated manure control. The physical characteristics of the manure were determined during the monitoring periods of emissions: 7 days for slurry and 28 days for lagoon wastewater. All slurry emissions, except for N2O, declined over time (p < 0.05). Lagoon wastewater total N increased with treatment (p < 0.05) possibly due to the urea provided by Eminex®. Most lagoon wastewater emissions also decreased over time (p < 0.05). However, Eminex®, compared to control, increased lagoon wastewater NH3 volatilization (p < 0.05). With improvements to manure composition through increasing N content, as well as reductions in emissions, Eminex® is a promising tool to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of manure management.