Abstract
Gaseous emissions from animal production systems affect the local and regional air quality. Proven farm-scale mitigation technologies are needed to lower these emissions and to provide management practices that are feasible and sustainable. In this research, we evaluate the performance of a unique approach that simultaneously mitigates emissions and improves air quality inside a barn equipped with a manure pit recharge system. Specifically, we tested the effects of summertime feeding rations (used by farmers to cope with animal heat stress) and manure management. To date, the pit recharge system has been proven to be effective in mitigating both ammonia (NH3; approximately 53%) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S; approximately 84%) emissions during mild climate conditions. However, its performance during the hot season with a high crude protein diet and high nitrogen loading into the pit manure recharge system is unknown. Therefore, we compared the emissions and indoor air quality of the rooms (240 pigs, ~80 kg each) equipped with a conventional slurry and pit recharge system. The main findings highlight the importance and impact of seasonal variation and diet and manure management practices. We observed 31% greater NH3 emissions from the pit recharge system (33.7 ± 1.4 g·head−1·day−1) compared with a conventional slurry system (25.9 ± 2.4 g·head−1·day−1). Additionally, the NH3 concentration inside the barn was higher (by 24%) in the pit recharge system compared with the control. On the other hand, H2S emissions were 55% lower in the pit recharge system (628 ± 47 mg·head−1·day−1) compared with a conventional slurry pit (1400 ± 132 mg·head−1·day−1). Additionally, the H2S concentration inside the barn was lower (by 54%) in the pit recharge system compared with the control. The characteristics of the pit recharge liquid (i.e., aerobically treated manure), such as the total nitrogen (TN) and ammonium N (NH4-N) contents, contributed to the higher NH3 emissions from the pit recharge system in summer. However, their influence on H2S emissions had a relatively low impact, i.e., emissions were still reduced, similarly as they were in mild climate conditions. Overall, it is necessary to consider a seasonal diet and manure management practices when evaluating emissions and indoor air quality. Further research on minimizing the seasonal nitrogen loading and optimizing pit recharge manure characteristics is warranted.
Highlights
Emissions from livestock facilities are composed of various compounds, including ammonia (NH3 ), hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particular matter (PM).Due to negative effects on the environment and occupational hygiene, NH3 and H2 S are considered as some of the most important pollutants associated with livestock production [1]
The effects of recharging liquid on NH3 and H2 S emissions from a commercial swine farm equipped with a semicontinuous pit recharge system were evaluated over 14 days in summer
Pigs were fed summertime feeding rations, and the pit manure properties were affected by temperature and management
Summary
Emissions from livestock facilities are composed of various compounds, including ammonia (NH3 ), hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particular matter (PM).Due to negative effects on the environment and occupational hygiene, NH3 and H2 S are considered as some of the most important pollutants associated with livestock production [1]. Emissions from livestock facilities are composed of various compounds, including ammonia (NH3 ), hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particular matter (PM). NH3 is considered a significant contributor to the formation of PM2.5 and aerosols that result in haze and health concerns [1,6,7,8]. The aerosols in swine confinement buildings can lead to respiratory discomfort in pigs and can contribute to the suppression of feed intake and growth [9,10,11]. H2 S produced from anaerobic decomposition of animal manure has a strong odor, even at very low concentrations. H2 S has been responsible for many deaths of humans and animals in livestock facilities [12,13]. Since North America began collecting ammonia data using swine house field monitoring technology in the 1980s, researchers have investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
