Influence of bulking agents on CH4, N2O, and NH3 emissions during rapid composting of pig manure from the Chinese Ganqinfen system

Abstract

Mismanagement of the composting process can result in emissions of CH 4 , N 2 O, and NH 3 , which have caused severe environmental problems. This study was aimed at determining whether CH 4 , N 2 O, and NH 3 emissions from composting are affected by bulking agents during rapid composting of pig manure from the Chinese Ganqinfen system. Three bulking agents, corn stalks, spent mushroom compost, and sawdust, were used in composting with pig manure in 60 L reactors with forced aeration for more than a month. Gas emissions were measured continuously, and detailed gas emission patterns were obtained. Concentrations of NH 3 and N 2 O from the composting pig manure mixed with corn stalks or sawdust were higher than those from the spent mushroom compost treatment, especially the sawdust treatment, which had the highest total nitrogen loss among the three runs. Most of the nitrogen was lost in the form of NH 3 , which accounts for 11.16% to 35.69% of the initial nitrogen. One-way analysis of variance for NH 3 emission showed no significant differences between the corn stalk and sawdust treatments, but a significant difference was noted between the spent mushroom compost and sawdust treatments. The introduction of sawdust reduced CH 4 emission more than the corn stalks and spent mushroom compost. However, there were no significant differences among the three runs for total carbon loss. All treatments were matured after 30 d.

The Influence of Biochar Addition on Chicken Manure Composting and Associated Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions

“…However, with a small volume of compost, the length of the period until the anaerobic portions disappeared was short (Fukumoto et al 2003). The emission patterns of CH4 in the study were similar to previous reports (Fukumoto et al 2003;Sun et al 2014).…”

“…The peaks were observed on days 5 to 6, and there were no significant differences during the rest of the composting time. At the early stage of composting, methanogenic microorganisms that are limited to strict anaerobic conditions degrade soluble lipids, carbohydrates, organic acids, and proteins (Fukumoto et al 2003;Jiang et al 2011;Sun et al 2014). However, with a small volume of compost, the length of the period until the anaerobic portions disappeared was short (Fukumoto et al 2003).…”

“…Composting reduces waste mass, destroys weed seeds, provides sufficient sanitation, and produces valuable end products for agriculture (Hubbe et al 2010;Jiang et al 2011;Sun et al 2014). However, the composting of organic wastes has been closely associated with the emissions of greenhouse gases; for example, the principal greenhouse gas methane (CH4) is generated from composting livestock wastes through the degradation of soluble lipids, carbohydrates, organic acids, and proteins in anaerobic conditions.…”

“…However, the composting of organic wastes has been closely associated with the emissions of greenhouse gases; for example, the principal greenhouse gas methane (CH4) is generated from composting livestock wastes through the degradation of soluble lipids, carbohydrates, organic acids, and proteins in anaerobic conditions. Methane has a global warming potential 23 times higher than CO2 (Fukumoto et al 2003;Sun et al 2014).…”

Improving manure nutrient management towards sustainable agricultural intensification in China

“…The solid fraction of animal manure is often made into compost both traditionally and commercially using aerobic composting technology (Tian et al, 2002;Luo et al, 2012;Jiang et al, 2013;Sun et al, 2014). Windrow, tank type, in-vessel and dynamic continuous composting approaches are common in China, although the composting industry appears to face a number of challenges, e.g.…”