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Ammonia volatilization during storage of cattle and pig slurry: effect of surface cover

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

S. G. Sommer ,
B. T. Christensen ,
N. E. Nielsen  and
J. K. Schjφrring
S. G. Sommer
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Nutrition and Physiology, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 23, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
B. T. Christensen
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Nutrition and Physiology, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 23, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
N. E. Nielsen
Affiliation:
Section of Soil, Water and Plant Nutrition, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
J. K. Schjφrring
Affiliation:
Section of Soil, Water and Plant Nutrition, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Summary

Gaseous NH3 losses from pig and cattle slurry stored in eight storage tanks were measured simultaneously using wind-tunnels. The slurry was either stirred weekly (uncovered), or was allowed to develop a natural surface crust. Oil, peat, chopped cereal straw, PVC foil, leca® (pebbles of burned montmorillonitic clay) and a lid were tested as additional covers. Convective transport of ammonium to the surface layers caused NH3 volatilization losses of 3–5 g NH3-N/m2 per day from the stirred, uncovered tanks. The loss of NH3 from the stirred slurry was related to air temperature. The development of a natural surface crust reduced NH3 losses to 20% of those from stirred slurry. NH3 losses from slurry not developing a natural surface crust layer and left undisturbed were similar to the losses from stirred slurry. A 15 cm layer of straw was as effective as a surface crust layer in reducing NH3 losses. In one experiment, cracks developed in the oil cover and losses were therefore only reduced to 50% of those of uncovered slurry. Apart from this experiment, NH3 losses from slurry covered with oil, leca®, peat and foil were small.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 121 , Issue 1 , August 1993 , pp. 63 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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