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TECHNICAL REPORTS

Atmospheric Pollutants and Trace Gases

Crusting of Stored Dairy Slurry to Abate Ammonia Emissions

Pilot-Scale Studies

^a Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, UK
^b ADAS, Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton WV6 8TQ, UK
^c Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HS, UK
^d USDA-ARS, Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin, 1925 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI 53706

^* Corresponding author (tom.misselbrook{at}bbsrc.ac.uk)

Received for publication June 3, 2004. Storage of cattle slurry is a significant source of ammonia (NH₃) emissions. Emissions can be reduced by covering slurry stores, but this can incur significant costs, as well as practical and technical difficulties. In this pilot-scale study, slurry was stored in small tanks (500 L) and the effectiveness of natural crust development for reducing NH₃ emissions was assessed in a series of experiments. Also, factors important in crust development were investigated. Measurements were made of crust thickness and specially adapted tank lids were used to measure NH₃ emissions. Slurry dry matter (DM) content was the most important factor influencing crust formation, with no crust formation on slurries with a DM content of <1%. Generally, crusts began to form within the first 10 to 20 d of storage, at which time NH₃ emission rates would decrease. The formation of a natural crust reduced NH₃ emissions by approximately 50%. The type of bedding used in the free stall barn did not influence crust formation, nor did ambient temperature or air-flow rate across the slurry surface. There was a large difference in crust formation between slurries from cattle fed a corn (Zea mays L.) silage–based diet and those fed a grass silage–based diet, although dietary differences were confounded with bedding differences. The inclusion of a corn starch and glucose additive promoted crust formation and reduced NH₃ emission. The maintenance of a manageable crust on cattle slurry stores is recommended as a cost-effective means of abating NH₃ emissions from this phase of slurry management.

Abbreviations: DM, dry matter • TAN, total ammoniacal nitrogen • TAN_i, initial total ammoniacal nitrogen

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This Issue in Journal of Environmental Quality

JEQ 2005 34: 403-407. [Full Text]