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Reducing Nitrogen Losses during Simulated Composting of Poultry Manure using Adsorbents or Chemical Amendments
Author(s) -
Kithome M.,
Paul J. W.,
Bomke A. A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1999.00472425002800010023x
Subject(s) - coir , volatilisation , manure , ammonia volatilization from urea , chemistry , ammonia , chicken manure , nitrogen , agronomy , zeolite , zoology , environmental chemistry , horticulture , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , catalysis
Ammonia emissions during composting of poultry manure can be significant, representing increased environmental pollution and decreased fertilizer value of manure. The objectives of this study were to measure NH 3 volatilization losses during composting of poultry layer manure, and to evaluate the potential of different amendments to reduce NH 3 losses using a laboratory composting simulator. The poultry manure was treated with various amendments which included two natural zeolites, clay, coir (mesocarp of coconut fruit), CaCl 2 , CaSO 4 , MgCl 2 , MgSO 4 , and Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 . The manure was composted for 49 to 56 d. Ammonia volatilized from the manure was trapped in a 0.3 M H 2 SO 4 solution. The composts were weighed and analyzed for moisture content, total N and NH + 4 . The NH 3 volatilization loss for the unamended manures ranged from 47 to 62% of the total manure N. A layer of 38% zeolite placed on the surface of the manure reduced NH 3 losses by 44%, whereas 33% coir placed on the surface of the manure reduced NH 3 losses by 49%. The 20% alum treatment reduced NH 3 losses by 28%. Composting poultry manure with zeolites, coir, and alum produced composts with high NH + 4 concentrations ranging from 17 to 53% of total N. The addition of 20% CaCl 2 to poultry manure decreased NH 3 volatilization but did not result in increased NH + 4 or NO − 3 concentrations. The 38% zeolite Z1 and 33% coir‐treated composts had total N concentrations of 17 and 31 g kg −1 , respectively. The zeolite and coir amendments were proposed to be the most suitable for reducing NH 3 losses during composting of poultry manure.