Nitrogen Fate and Adaptation of the Microbial Community Responsible for Ammonia Removal in a Biofilter Treating Waste Gas from Livestock Manure Composting

Abstract

Nitrogen Fate and Microbial Community for Ammonia Removal in a Biofilter from Japanese livestock farms are approximately 6%, 13%, 8%, and 29%-45% of the total nitrogen contained in the manure of milking cows, beef cattle, pigs, and poultry, respectively. NH 3 causes environmental degradation, including eutrophication and acidification (Steinfeld et al. 2006, Sutton et al. 2008, in addition to an odor problem (Kuroda et al. 1996, Parker et al. 2012. Its concentration in the air is regulated as per the Offensive Odor Control Law of Japan (Ministry of the Environment 1995). Thus, the treatment of NH 3 -loaded gases is necessary for better management of livestock farming.