Laboratory estimates of trace gas emissions following surface application and injection of cattle slurry

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 2000 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2000.00472425002900010033x· OSTI ID:20075831

Flessa, H; Beese, F

Applying cattle slurry to soil may induce emissions of the greenhouse gases N{sub 2}O and CH{sub 4}. Their objective was to determine the effects of different application techniques (surface application and slit injection) of cattle (Bostaurus) slurry on the decomposition of slurry organic matter and the emissions of N{sub 2}O and CH{sub 4}. The effects of slurry application (43.6 m{sup 3} ha{sup {minus}1}) were studied for 9 wk under controlled laboratory conditions using a soil microcosm system with automated monitoring of the CO{sub 2}, N{sub 2}O, and CH{sub 4} fluxes. The soil used was a silty loam (Ap horizon of a cambisol) with a constant water-filled pore space of 67% during the experiment. About 38% of the organic matter applied with the slurry was decomposed within 9 wk. Production of CO{sub 2} was not affected by the application technique. Emissions of N{sub 2}O and CH{sub 4} from the injected slurry were significantly higher than from the surface-applied slurry, probably because of restricted aeration at the injected-slurry treatment. Total N{sub 2}O-N emissions were 0.2% (surface application) and 3.3% (slit injection) of the slurry N added. Methane emission occurred only during the first few days following application. The total net flux of CH{sub 4}-C for 2 wk was {minus}12 g ha{sup {minus}1} for the control (CH{sub 4} uptake), 2 g ha{sup {minus}1} for the surface-applied slurry, and 39 g ha{sup {minus}1} for the injected slurry. Slurry injection, which is recommended to reduce NH{sub 3} volatilization, appears to increase emissions of the greenhouse gases N{sub 2}O and CH{sub 4} from the fertilized fields.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Goettingen (DE)
• OSTI ID: 20075831
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 29; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GROUND DISPOSAL
MANURES
METHANE
NITROUS OXIDE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION