Abstract
In this study, eight different manure treatment plants were monitored. The plants were four on-farm and four centralized treatment plants, all of them at full-scale level. Assessment includes a total of seven pre-treatment and process units as follows: mechanical separation, with and without coagulant and flocculant addition, pasteurization, nitrification-denitrification, anaerobic digestion, and composting. The plants are located in nutrient surplus areas of three European Member States (Spain, Italy and Denmark), the majority of these areas being Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ). Results presented herein are data collected over a six-month period and comprise performance data of the treatment plants, pathogen indicators (E.coli and Salmonella) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data under two scenarios: 1) the baseline scenario and 2) the treatment plant scenario. The assessment includes GHG emissions of the storage facilities, transportation, and subsequent intermediate storage, electric consumption, electric production, composting, and land application. All treatment plants studied generated a significant reduction in GHG emissions (between 53 and 90 %) in comparison to the baseline scenario. Organic matter and total solids (TS) content in manure were also greatly reduced, with values ranging between 35-53 % of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and, 24-61 % of TS for anaerobic digestion (AD) treatment plants, 77-93 % COD and 70 % TS in the case of AD combined with nitrogen (N)-removal unit plants. Nitrogen concentrations were also greatly reduced (between 65-85 %) total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and 68-83 % ammonium (NH4+-N)) in plants with N-removal units.
Highlights
In nutrient-saturated areas, nutrient management planning is necessary if pollution is to be avoided which will consist of a set of actions designed to ensure adequate manure production to meet the demand for quality products from agricultural soils (Teira-Esmatges and Flotats, 2003)
This study addresses the results from eight manure treatment plants monitored over a six-month period
The results presented include the performance data of the plants, pathogen indicators (E. coli, Salmonella), as well as the estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction arising from the installation of manure treatment plants as an alternative to conventional manure storage
Summary
In nutrient-saturated areas, nutrient management planning is necessary if pollution is to be avoided which will consist of a set of actions designed to ensure adequate manure production to meet the demand for quality products from agricultural soils (Teira-Esmatges and Flotats, 2003) This set of actions must include minimal on-site limitation of components’ outflow rates, soil fertilization planning, economical cost, and feasible treatment analyses applicable to the improvement of manure management (Flotats et al, 2009). In a number of geographical areas where there is a surplus of nutrients, different strategies and a high level of planning are necessary In these cases, the application of manure treatment technologies is presented as a good option. Eight partners from four European countries are involved in the project, covering eight regions with high livestock production and nutrient surplus, as well as high population density
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