Laboratory estimates of trace gas emissions following surface application and injection of cattle slurry
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, Vol. 29, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Feb 2000; ISSN 0047-2425
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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