Mitigation of ammonia and methane emissions with manure amendments during storage of cattle slurry

This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of manure amendments in abating ammonia (NH₃) and methane (CH₄) emissions during storage. Two experiments were carried out. Experiment 1 was conducted using 20 L of slurry for 98 days. Treatments were: aluminium sulphate (alum), lactogypsum, zeolite, actiglene, ammonium thiosulphate, biochar, dairy processing waste, Digest-IT and control (without amendment). Experiment 2 was conducted using 660 L of slurry in underground storage tanks for 77 days. Treatments were: sulphuric acid, gypsum, biochar and control (without amendment). NH₃ measurements for experiment 1 and experiment 2 were conducted using the photoacoustic gas monitor and dynamic chamber techniques, respectively. CH₄ was measured using the static chamber technique in both experiments. The effect of amendments on slurry composition was determined at the end of the experiments. Experiment 1 showed a significant reduction in NH₃ emissions in the alum (82%), lactogypsum (46%) and zeolite (32%) treatments relative to the control (100.3% total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN)). CH₄ was reduced significantly in the alum (87%), ammonium thiosulphate (64%) and lactogypsum (67%) relative to the control (291.9 g m⁻²). Experiment 2 showed a significant reduction (32%) in NH₃ emissions in the sulphuric acid relative to the control (4.4% TAN). CH₄ was reduced significantly in the sulphuric acid (46%), gypsum (39%) and biochar (15%) treatments relative to the control (291.9 g m⁻²). In general, amendments altered slurry composition such as dry matter, volatile solids, carbon and nitrogen contents at the end of storage. Lactogypsum, alum and sulphuric acid were effective in abating both NH₃ and CH₄ emissions and can contribute to improving air quality.