Spatial Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Eutrophication Potential from Livestock Manure in Bangladesh

Abstract

Large amounts of livestock manure production in Bangladesh have created a challenge to the environment by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eutrophication potential (EP) risk. Though some studies have identified the impact of manure on emissions, the consequences of manure exploitation on water bodies are very rare. This study investigated the effects of livestock manure on both air and water environments in the regional context of Bangladesh. Mathematical equations were used to assess manure generation, GHG emissions, manure leach-out amount, EP, and geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis tools were applied to visualize the outcomes of the research. Between 1990 and 2020, the GHG emissions increased from 7451.26 to 13,244.45 kilotons CO2eq, and the amount of manure leach-out to water also increased from 236.49 to 493.75 kilotons over these 30 years of time. In 2023, the study demonstrated that approximately 216.97 million tons of livestock manure were produced in Bangladesh, which accounted for a total GHG emission of 16.61 million tons CO2eq, and about 62.19 million tons of manure leached out to water, which has a total EP of 295.22 kg N-eq/ha/year. This study offers regional pattern emission intensity and eutrophication-susceptible area maps, which indicate the stimulus of livestock manure across Bangladesh. A long-term impact study, distinctive map formation, and eutrophication susceptibility analysis will be helpful for implementing specific policies and strategies to improve the environment of the livestock sector in Bangladesh.