A Process-Based Model for Cattle Manure Compost Windrows: Part 2. Model Performance and Application

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 893-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry F. Bonifacio ◽  
C. Alan Rotz ◽  
Tom L. Richard
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
C And N

Abstract. A model was developed and incorporated into the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM, v.4.3) that simulates important processes occurring during windrow composting of manure. The model, documented in an accompanying article, predicts changes in windrow properties and conditions and the resulting emissions of C and N. Our objective in this article was to evaluate the performance of the compost windrow model. Model predictions were compared to published data from an independent cattle manure composting study that characterized static (no turning) and turned windrows composted over a 188-day period. The model did very well in simulating C and N losses for the turned windrow treatment, with predicted and measured cumulative C losses of 78% and 77%, respectively, and cumulative N losses of 55% and 57%, respectively, by day 99 of composting. By day 188 of composting, predicted cumulative N loss (56%) differed from measured (58%) by 2 percentage points only, whereas predicted cumulative C loss matched the corresponding measured value (80%). For the static windrow treatment, the model also did well in simulating cumulative C loss by day 99, with a difference of 5 percentage points between predicted (50%) and measured (45%) values. On the other hand, there was a difference of 12 percentage points between predicted (31%) and measured (19%) cumulative N losses for the static windrow by day 99. This discrepancy in simulating N loss for the static windrow treatment was not surprising, as the NH3 biofiltration effect of the finished compost cover on the actual static windrow was not modeled. After simulating the turning of the static windrow treatment on day 99, predicted and measured cumulative N losses by day 188 were equal at 44%. With the compost windrow model as a component, IFSM can be used to evaluate gaseous emissions from composted manure as influenced by windrow management practices and environmental conditions, along with other aspects of performance, environmental impact, and economics of cattle feeding operations. Simulating different composting strategies showed that addition of dry material to the cattle manure at the start of composting and turning of the manure windrow during composting produced a more stable organic soil amendment but caused greater carbon and nitrogen losses. Keywords: Cattle manure, Composting, Emissions, IFSM, Process-based modeling.

scholarly journals Tracking the Deposition and Sources of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Highly Eroded Hilly-Gully Watershed in Northeastern China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2971
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Yanqing Zhang ◽  
Zhanxiang Sun ◽  
John Yang ◽  
Enke Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N

Understanding the deposition and tracking the source of soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) within agricultural watersheds are critical for assessing soil C and N budgets and developing watershed-specific best management practices. Few studies have been conducted and reported on highly eroded hilly-gully watersheds. In this field study, a constructed dam-controlled hilly-gully watershed in northeastern China was selected to identify the sources of soil C and N losses. Soils at various land uses and landscape positions, and sediments near the constructed dam, were collected and analyzed for selected physiochemical properties, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and stable isotopes (13C and 15N). Soil C and N loss and deposition in the watershed were assessed and the relative contributions of each source quantified by a stable isotope mixing model (SIAR). Results indicated that soil C loss was primarily from cropland, accounting for 58.75%, followed by gully (25.49%), forest (9.2%), and grassland (6.49%). Soil N loss was similar to soil C, with cropland contribution of 80.58%, gully of 10.30%, grassland of 7.54%, and forest of 1.59%. The C and N deposition gradually decreased along the direction of the runoff pathway near the constructed dam, and the deposited C and N from cropland and gullies showed an order: middle-dam > bottom-dam > upper-dam and upper-dam > bottom-dam > middle-dam, respectively. A high correlation between soil TOC or TN and the sediment properties suggested that the deposition conditions could be the major factors affecting the C and N pools in the sedimentary zones. This study would provide a scientific insight to develop effective management practices for soil erosion and nutrient loss control in highly eroded agriculture watersheds.

scholarly journals Effects of pH, Total Solids, Temperature and Storage Duration on Gas Emissions from Slurry Storage: A Systematic Review

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1156
Author(s):  
Qingbo Qu ◽  
Keqiang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Total Solids ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Slurry Storage ◽  
And Storage

Gaseous emissions are the main loss pathways of nutrients during dairy slurry storage. In this study, we compiled published data on cumulative ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions from dairy slurry storage and evaluated the integrated effects of slurry pH, total solids (TS), ambient temperature (T) and length of storage (LOS) on emissions using linear mixed effects models. Results showed that the average nitrogen (N) loss by NH3 volatilization from slurry storage was 12.5% of total nitrogen (TN), while the loss by N2O emissions only accounted for 0.05–0.39% of slurry TN. The NH3–N losses were highly related to slurry pH, lowering slurry pH leading to significant decrease of emissions. Temperature also affected NH3–N losses, with higher losses from slurry storage under warm conditions than cold conditions. No significant relationship was observed between NH3–N losses and slurry TS contents within a range from 21–169 g kg−1. The losses of N2O–N from dairy slurry storage were less affected by slurry pH, TS contents and temperature. The carbon (C) loss as CH4 emissions varied from 0.01–17.2% of total carbon (TC). Emissions of CH4–C presented a significant positive relationship with temperature, a negative relationship with slurry TS contents and no significant relationship with slurry pH ranging from 6.6–8.6. Length of storage (more than 30 days) had no significant influence on cumulative gas emissions from slurry storage. This study provides new emission factors of NH3, N2O and CH4 in the percentage of TN or TC from dairy slurry storage. Our results indicate the potential interactive effects of slurry characteristics and storage conditions on gaseous emissions from slurry storage. Farm-scale measurements are needed to accurately estimate nutrient losses from liquid manure storage.

Effect of storage conditions on losses and crop utilization of nitrogen from solid cattle manure

2015 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. SHAH ◽  
G. A. SHAH ◽  
J. C. J. GROOT ◽  
O. OENEMA ◽  
A. S. RAZA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arable Land ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Flux Chamber ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N ◽  
C And N

SummaryThe objectives of the present study were to quantify the effects of contrasting methods for storing solid cattle manure on: (i) total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) balances during storage, and (ii) crop apparent N recovery (ANR) following manure application to arable land, with maize as a test crop. Portions of 10 t of fresh solid cattle manure were stored for 5 months during 2009/10 in three replicates as: (i) stockpiled heaps, (ii) roofed heaps, (iii) covered heaps and (iv) turned heaps at Wageningen University, the Netherlands. Surface emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) were measured regularly using a static flux chamber connected to a photo-acoustic gas monitor. Total C and N losses during storage were determined through the mass balance method. After storage, the manures were surface-applied and incorporated into a sandy soil, and maize ANR was measured as a proportion of both N applied to the field (ANRF) and N collected from the barn (ANRB).During the storage period, the average losses of initial total N (Ntotal) were 6% from the covered, 12% from the roofed, 21% from the stockpiled and 33% from the turned heaps. Of the total N losses, 2–9% was lost as NH3-N, 1–4% as N2O-N and 16–32% through leaching. However, the greatest part of the total N loss from the four storage methods was unaccounted for and constituted in all probability of harmless dinitrogen gas. Of the initial C content,c. 13, 14, 17 and 22% was lost from the covered, stockpiled, roofed and turned heaps, respectively. Maize ANRFwas highest from covered (39% of the applied N) followed by roofed (31%), stockpiled (29%) and turned manure (20%). The respective values in case of maize ANRBwere 37, 27, 23 and 13%. It is concluded that from a viewpoint of on-farm N recycling the storage of solid cattle manure under an impermeable plastic cover is much better than traditional stockpiling or turning heaps in the open air.

scholarly journals Soil Gaseous Emissions and Partial C and N Balances of Small-Scale Farmer Fields in a River Oasis of Western Mongolia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3362
Author(s):  
Greta Jordan ◽  
Sven Goenster-Jordan ◽  
Baigal Ulziisuren ◽  
Andreas Buerkert
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Closed Chamber ◽  
Total N ◽  
Western Mongolia ◽  
C And N ◽  
Soil Emissions ◽  
Small Scale Farmer

During the last decades, Mongolian river oases were subjected to an expansion of farmland. Such intensification triggers substantial gaseous carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses that may aggravate disequilibria in the soil surface balances of agricultural plots. This study aims to quantify such losses, and assess the implications of these emissions against the background of calculated partial C and N balances. To this end, CO2, NH3, and N2O soil emissions from carrot, hay, and rye plots were measured by a portable dynamic closed chamber system connected to a photoacoustic multi-gas analyzer in six farms of the Mongolian river oasis Bulgan sum center. Average C and N flux rates (1313 g CO2-C ha−1 h−1 to 1774 g CO2-C ha−1 h−1; 2.4 g NH3-N ha−1 h−1 to 3.3 g NH3-N ha−1 h−1; 0.7 g N2O-N ha−1 h−1 to 1.1 g N2O-N ha−1 h−1) and cumulative emissions (3506 kg C ha−1 season−1 to 4514 kg C ha−1 season−1; 7.4 kg N ha−1 season−1 to 10.9 kg N ha−1 season−1) were relatively low compared to those of other agroecosystems, but represented a substantial pathway of losses (86% of total C inputs; 21% of total N inputs). All C and N balances were negative (−1082 kg C ha−1 season−1 to −1606 kg C ha−1 season−1; −27 kg N ha−1 season−1 to −65 kg N ha−1 season−1). To reduce these disequilibria, application of external inputs may need to be intensified whereby such amendments should be incorporated into soil to minimize gaseous emissions.

scholarly journals The Characteristics of Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur Transformation During Cattle Manure Composting—Based on Different Aeration Strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 3930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Wang ◽  
Shanjiang Liu ◽  
Wentao Xue ◽  
He Guo ◽  
Xinrong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Aeration Rate ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
N Losses ◽  
C And N ◽  
Sulfur Transformation ◽  
H2s Emission ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of gaseous emission (methane—CH4, carbon dioxide—CO2, nitrous oxide—N2O, nitric oxide—NO, hydrogen sulfide—H2S and sulfur dioxide—SO2) and the conservation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) during cattle manure composting under different aeration strategies. Three aeration strategies were set as C60, C100, and I60, representing the different combinations of aeration method (continuous—C or intermittent—I) and aeration rate (60 or 100 L·min−1·m−3). Results showed that C, N, S mass was reduced by 48.8–53.1%, 29.8–35.9% and 19.6–21.9%, respectively, after the composing process. Among the three strategies, the intermittent aeration treatment I60 obtained the highest N2O emissions, resulting in the highest N loss and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when the GHG emissions from power consumption were not considered. Within two continuous aeration treatments, lower aeration rates in C60 caused lower CO2, N2O, NO, and SO2 emissions but higher CH4 emissions than those from C100. Meanwhile, C and N losses were also lowest in the C60 treatment. H2S emission was not detected because of the more alkaline pH of the compost material. Thus, C60 can be recommended for cattle manure composting because of its nutrient conservation and mitigation of major gas and GHG emissions.

Soil carbon and nitrogen eroded after severe wildfire and erosion mitigation treatments

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek N. Pierson ◽  
Peter R. Robichaud ◽  
Charles C. Rhoades ◽  
Robert E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Ecosystem Recovery ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Burned Areas ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N ◽  
Erosion Mitigation

Erosion of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) following severe wildfire may have deleterious effects on downstream resources and ecosystem recovery. Although C and N losses in combustion and runoff have been studied extensively, soil C and N transported by post-fire erosion has rarely been quantified in burned landscapes. To better understand the magnitude and temporal pattern of these losses, we analysed the C and N content of sediment collected in severely burned hillslopes and catchments across the western USA over the first 4 post-fire years. We also compared soil C and N losses from areas receiving common erosion-mitigation treatments and untreated, burned areas. The concentrations of C and N in the eroded material (0.23–0.98gCkg−1 and 0.01–0.04gNkg−1) were similar to those of mineral soils rather than organic soil horizons or combusted vegetation. Losses of eroded soil C and N were highly variable across sites, and were highest the first 2 years after fire. Cumulative erosional losses from untreated, burned areas ranged from 73 to 2253kgCha−1 and from 3.3 to 110kgNha−1 over 4 post-fire years. Post-fire erosion-mitigation treatments reduced C and N losses by up to 75% compared with untreated areas. Losses in post-fire erosion are estimated to be <10% of the total soil C and N combusted during severe wildfire and <10% of post-fire soil C and N stocks remaining in the upper 20cm of mineral soil. Although loss of soil C and N in post-fire erosion is unlikely to impair the productivity of recovering vegetation, export of C and N may influence downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

scholarly journals Boreal Forest Wildfire and Climate Linked Drivers of Carbon and Nitrogen Loss

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Eckdahl ◽  
Jeppe Kristensen ◽  
Daniel Metcalfe
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Loss ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Fire Emissions ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
C And N

Abstract. The boreal landscape covers large portions of the earth's land area and stores a significant percentage of its terrestrial carbon (C). Increased emissions due to climate change amplified fire frequency, size and intensity threaten to remove elements such as C and nitrogen (N) from forest soil and vegetation at rates faster than they accumulate. This may result in large areas within the region becoming a net source of greenhouse gases creating a positive feedback loop with a changing climate. Estimates of per area fire emissions are regionally limited and knowledge of their relation to climate and ecosystem properties is sparse. This study sampled 50 separate Swedish wildfires from 2018 providing quantitative estimates of C and N loss due to fire along a climate gradient. Mean annual precipitation had strong positive effects on total fuel, which was the strongest driver for increasing C and N losses, while mean annual temperature (MAT) had greater influence on both pre- and postfire fuel bulk and chemical properties which had mixed effects on C and N losses. Significant fire induced loss of C occurred in the 50 plots comparable to estimates in similar Eurasian forests but approximately a quarter of those found in typical North American boreal wildfires. N loss was insignificant though large proportions were collected from lower soil layers to a surface layer of char in proportion to increased MAT. These results reveal the variability of C and N losses between global regions and across local climate conditions and a need to better incorporate these factors into models to improve estimates of global emissions of C and N due to fire in future climate scenarios. Additionally, this study demonstrated the linkage between climate and the chemical transformation of residual soil fuel and discusses its potential for altering C and N dynamics in postfire recovery.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Novel Poultry Litter Amendment on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
Kelsey Anderson ◽  
Philip A. Moore ◽  
Jerry Martin ◽  
Amanda J. Ashworth
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Poultry Facilities

Gaseous emissions from poultry litter causes production problems for producers as well as the environment, by contributing to climate change and reducing air quality. Novel methods of reducing ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in poultry facilities are needed. As such, our research evaluated GHG emissions over a 42 d period. Three separate flocks of 1000 broilers were used for this study. The first flock was used only to produce litter needed for the experiment. The second and third flocks were allocated to 20 pens in a randomized block design with four replicated of five treatments. The management practices studied included an unamended control; a conventional practice of incorporating aluminum sulfate (referred to as alum) at 98 kg/100 m2); a novel litter amendment made from alum mud, bauxite, and sulfuric acid (alum mud litter amendment, AMLA) applied at different rates (49 and 98 kg/100 m2) and methods (surface applied or incorporated). Nitrous oxide emissions were low for all treatments in flocks 2 and 3 (0.40 and 0.37 mg m2 hr−1, respectively). The formation of caked litter (due to excessive moisture) during day 35 and 42 caused high variability in CH4 and CO2 emissions. Alum mud litter amendment and alum did not significantly affect GHGs emissions from litter, regardless of the amendment rate or application method. In fact, litter amendments such as alum and AMLA typically lower GHG emissions from poultry facilities by reducing ventilation requirements to maintain air quality in cooler months due to lower NH3 levels, resulting in less propane use and concomitant reductions in CO2 emissions.

scholarly journals The interaction of seasonal rainfall and nitrogen fertiliser rate on soil N2O emission, total N loss and crop yield of dryland sorghum and sunflower grown on sub-tropical Vertosols

Soil Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 604 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Schwenke ◽  
B. M. Haigh
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
N2o Emission ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
The Impact

Summer crop production on slow-draining Vertosols in a sub-tropical climate has the potential for large emissions of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) from denitrification of applied nitrogen (N) fertiliser. While it is well established that applying N fertiliser will increase N2O emissions above background levels, previous research in temperate climates has shown that increasing N fertiliser rates can increase N2O emissions linearly, exponentially or not at all. Little such data exists for summer cropping in sub-tropical regions. In four field experiments at two locations across two summers, we assessed the impact of increasing N fertiliser rate on both soil N2O emissions and crop yield of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) or sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Vertosols of sub-tropical Australia. Rates of N fertiliser, applied as urea at sowing, included a nil application, an optimum N rate and a double-optimum rate. Daily N2O fluxes ranged from –3.8 to 2734g N2O-Nha–1day–1 and cumulative N2O emissions ranged from 96 to 6659g N2O-Nha–1 during crop growth. Emissions of N2O increased with increased N fertiliser rates at all experimental sites, but the rate of N loss was five times greater in wetter-than-average seasons than in drier conditions. For two of the four experiments, periods of intense rainfall resulted in N2O emission factors (EF, percent of applied N emitted) in the range of 1.2–3.2%. In contrast, the EFs for the two drier experiments were 0.41–0.56% with no effect of N fertiliser rate. Additional 15N mini-plots aimed to determine whether N fertiliser rate affected total N lost from the soil–plant system between sowing and harvest. Total 15N unaccounted was in the range of 28–45% of applied N and was presumed to be emitted as N2O+N2. At the drier site, the ratio of N2 (estimated by difference)to N2O (measured) lost was a constant 43%, whereas the ratio declined from 29% to 12% with increased N fertiliser rate for the wetter experiment. Choosing an N fertiliser rate aimed at optimum crop production mitigates potentially high environmental (N2O) and agronomic (N2+N2O) gaseous N losses from over-application, particularly in seasons with high intensity rainfall occurring soon after fertiliser application.

Influence of agricultural management on soil organic carbon: A compendium and assessment of Canadian studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. VandenBygaart ◽  
E. G. Gregorich ◽  
D. A. Angers
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Native Land ◽  
Soc Stocks ◽  
Long Term Studies

To fulfill commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, Canada is required to provide verifiable estimates and uncertainties for soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and for changes in those stocks over time. Estimates and uncertainties for agricultural soils can be derived from long-term studies that have measured differences in SOC between different management practices. We compiled published data from long-term studies in Canada to assess the effect of agricultural management on SOC. A total of 62 studies were compiled, in which the difference in SOC was determined for conversion from native land to cropland, and for different tillage, crop rotation and fertilizer management practices. There was a loss of 24 ± 6% of the SOC after native land was converted to agricultural land. No-till (NT) increased the storage of SOC in western Canada by 2.9 ± 1.3 Mg ha-1; however, in eastern Canada conversion to NT did not increase SOC. In general, the potential to store SOC when NT was adopted decreased with increasing background levels of SOC. Using no-tillage, reducing summer fallow, including hay in rotation with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), plowing green manures into the soil, and applying N and organic fertilizers were the practices that tended to show the most consistent in creases in SOC storage. By relating treatment SOC levels to those in the control treatments, SOC stock change factors and their levels of uncertainty were derived for use in empirical models, such as the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Guidelines model for C stock changes. However, we must be careful when attempting to extrapolate research plot data to farmers’ fields since the history of soil and crop management has a significant influence on existing and future SOC stocks. Key words: C sequestration, tillage, crop rotations, fertilizer, cropping intensity, Canada

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