Greenhouse Gas and Odor Emissions from Liquid Swine Manure Storage and Manure Treatment Facilities in Quebec

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) and odor emissions were measured over a two-year period from a swine manure storage tank and from two swine manure treatment facilities (an aerobic-anoxic and a biofilter manure treatment system). Floating open chambers were used to collect air samples on top of the stored manure. GHG concentrations were either measured continuously, by gas chromatography, or determined from air samples collected using syringes and stored in evacuated glass containers. Air bag samples were collected and odor concentrations (in OU m-3) were measured using a dynamic dilution olfactometer. Odor intensities (in ppb eq of 1-butanol) were measured on site using a suprathreshold dynamic dilution olfactometer. Total GHG emissions (including CO2) from the farm under liquid manure management (manure tank and land application) were equal to 5.3 kg CO2 eq year-1 kgpigs -1. From the aerobic-anoxic treatment system and the biofilter treatment system, total GHG emissions were equal to 1.9 and 3.5 kg CO2 eq year-1 kgpigs -1, respectively. Odor emissions from the manure tank were 12 OU s-1 m-2. From the aerobic-anoxic treatment system and the biofilter treatment system, odor emissions were 1.5 OU s-1 m-3 and 6.7 OU s-1 m-3, respectively.