In the quest for sustainable management of liquid fraction of manure - Insights from a life cycle assessment

Abstract

To mitigate the risk of eutrophication and minimize adverse environmental impacts, surplus manure in nitrate-vulnerable zones is frequently divided into a liquid and solid fraction. Managing the liquid fraction (LF) typically presents a greater challenge due to its substantial volume. This study aimed to assess the environmental impacts by region and trade-offs of managing surplus LF with inventory data from pilot facilities using a life cycle assessment (LCA). The LF-treatment technologies assessed were (i) nitrification-denitrification (NDN) with field application of effluent (ii) NDN with ammonia stripping and nitric acid scrubbing as a pre-treatment step followed by polishing in constructed wetlands, and (iii) nutrient up-concentration using vacuum evaporation and/or membrane filtration.The LCA results suggested that 60 to 80 % of the environmental impacts occurred locally. Nutrient up-concentration from LF via membrane filtration (reverse osmosis) and vacuum evaporation indicated a better environmental performance, albeit with high uncertainty when compared to the other scenarios. Although ammonia stripping-scrubbing showed environmental benefits, these were offset by high environmental burdens from fugitive N2O emissions and energy demand during NDN. Furthermore, the study identified that managing the effluent after NDN, a source of potassium (K), requires a nuanced approach from policymakers. Firstly, when K fertilization requirements are not met, direct land application of the effluent as a fertigation source can be a viable option. This minimizes the need for synthetic K fertilizer production and its ensuing freshwater ecotoxicity impacts. However, tertiary treatment of NDN effluent via constructed wetlands can be considered to prevent deterioration of soil from the influx of K. Policymakers are encouraged to engage with local stakeholders to tailor solutions based on these trade-offs. Furthermore, future research should focus on the implications of K on soil quality as well as the life span of nutrient up-concentration technologies for LF.