Seasonal and Spatial Variations of Ammonia Emissions from an Open-Lot Dairy Operation

Abstract

There is a need for a robust and accurate technique to measure ammonia (NH₃) emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs) to obtain emission inventories and to develop abatement strategies. Two consecutive seasonal studies were conducted to measure NH₃ emissions from an open-lot dairy in central Texas in July and December of 2005. Data including NH₃ concentrations were collected and NH₃ emission fluxes (EFls), emission rates (ERs), and emission factors (EFs) were calculated for the open-lot dairy. A protocol using flux chambers (FCs) was used to determine these NH₃ emissions from the open-lot dairy. NH₃ concentration measurements were made using chemiluminescence-based analyzers. The ground-level area sources (GLAS) including open lots (cows on earthen corrals), separated solids, primary and secondary lagoons, and milking parlors were sampled to estimate NH₃ emissions. The seasonal NH₃ EFs were 11.6 ± 7.1 kg-NH₃ yr^-1head^-1 for the summer and 6.2 ± 3.7 kg-NH₃ yr^-1head^-1 for the winter season. The estimated annual NH₃ EF was 9.4 ± 5.7 kg-NH₃ yr^-1head^-1 for this open-lot dairy. The estimated NH₃ EF for winter was nearly 47% lower than summer EF. Primary and secondary lagoons (～37) and open-lot corrals (～63%) in summer, and open-lot corrals (～95%) in winter were the highest contributors to NH₃ emissions for the open-lot dairy. These EF estimates using the FC protocol and real-time analyzer were lower than many previously reported EFs estimated based on nitrogen mass balance and nitrogen content in manure. The difference between the overall emissions from each season was due to ambient temperature variations and loading rates of manure on GLAS. There was spatial variation of NH₃ emission from the open-lot earthen corrals due to variable animal density within feeding and shaded and dry divisions of the open lot. This spatial variability was attributed to dispirit manure loading within these areas.     

Determining seasonal greenhouse gas emissions from ground-level area sources in a dairy operation in central Texas

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural production operations are recognized as an important air quality issue. A new technique following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method TO-14A was used to measure GHG emissions from ground-level area sources (GLAS) in a free-stall dairy operation in central Texas. The objective of this study was to quantify and report GHG emission rates (ERs) from the dairy during the summer and winter using this protocol. A weeklong sampling was performed during each season. A total of 75 and 66 chromatograms of air samples were acquired from six delineated GLAS (loafing pen, walkway, barn, silage pile, settling basin, and lagoon) of the same dairy during summer and winter, respectively. Three primary GHGs--methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O)--were identified from the dairy operation during the sampling periods. The estimated overall ERs for CH4, CO2, and N2O during the summer for this dairy were 274, 6005, and 7.96 g head(-1)day(-1), respectively. During the winter, the estimated overall CH4, CO2, and N2O ERs were 52, 7471, and 3.59 g head(-1)day(-1), respectively. The overall CH4 and N2O ERs during the summer were approximately 5.3 and 2.2 times higher than those in the winter for the free-stall dairy. These seasonal variations were likely due to fluctuations in ambient temperature, dairy manure loading rates, and manure microbial activity of GLAS. The annualized ERs for CH4, CO2, and N2O for this dairy were estimated to be 181, 6612, and 6.13 g head(-1)day(-1), respectively. Total GHG emissions calculated for this dairy with 500 cows were 2250 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year.     

Ammonia flux from open-lot dairies: development of measurement methodology and emission factors

Ammonia emissions contribute to the formation of secondary particulate matter (PM) and violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Ammonia mass concentration measurements were made in February 1999 upwind and downwind of an open-lot dairy in California, using a combination of active bubbler and passive filter samplers. Ammonia fluxes were calculated from concentrations measured at 2, 4, and 10 m above ground at three locations on the downwind edge of the dairy, using micrometeorological techniques. A new method was developed to interpolate fluxes at six additional locations from ammonia concentrations measured at a single height, providing measurements at sufficient spatial resolution along the downwind border of the dairy to account for the heterogeneity of the source. PM measured up- and downwind of the dairy demonstrated insignificant ammonium particle formation in the immediate vicinity of the dairy and negligible contribution of dissociated ammonium nitrate to measured ammonia concentrations. Ammonium nitrate concentrations measured downwind of the dairy ranged from 26 to 0.26 microg m(-3) and from 2 to 43% of total PM2.5 mass concentrations. Measured ammonia fluxes showed that liquid manure retention ponds represented relatively minor sources of ammonia in winter on the dairy studied. Ammonia emission factors derived from the measurements ranged from 19 to 143 g head(-1) day(-1), showing an increase with warmer, drier weather and a decrease with increased relative humidity and lower temperatures.     

Ammonia Flux from Open-Lot Dairies: Development of Measurement Methodology and Emission Factors

Abstract

Ammonia emissions contribute to the formation of secondary particulate matter (PM) and violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Ammonia mass concentration measurements were made in February 1999 upwind and downwind of an open-lot dairy in California, using a combination of active bubbler and passive filter samplers. Ammonia fluxes were calculated from concentrations measured at 2, 4, and 10 m above ground at three locations on the downwind edge of the dairy, using micrometeorological techniques. A new method was developed to interpolate fluxes at six additional locations from ammonia concentrations measured at a single height, providing measurements at sufficient spatial resolution along the downwind border of the dairy to account for the heterogeneity of the source. PM measured up- and downwind of the dairy demonstrated insignificant ammonium particle formation in the immediate vicinity of the dairy and negligible contribution of dissociated ammonium nitrate to measured ammonia concentrations. Ammonium nitrate concentrations measured downwind of the dairy ranged from 26 to 0.26 μg m^?3 and from 2 to 43% of total PM_2.5 mass concentrations. Measured ammonia fluxes showed that liquid manure retention ponds represented relatively minor sources of ammonia in winter on the dairy studied. Ammonia emission factors derived from the measurements ranged from 19 to 143 g head^?1 day^?1, showing an increase with warmer, drier weather and a decrease with increased relative humidity and lower temperatures.     

Ammonia emissions from naturally ventilated dairy cattle buildings and outdoor concrete yards in Portugal

There is a lack of information on ammonia (NH₃) emissions from cattle housing systems in Mediterranean countries, with most published data deriving from NW Europe. An investigation was carried out in NW Portugal to quantify NH₃ emissions for the main types of dairy cattle buildings in Portugal, i.e. naturally ventilated buildings and outdoor concrete yards, and to derive robust emission factors (EFs) for these conditions and compare with EFs used elsewhere in Europe. Measurements were made throughout a 12-month period using the passive flux sampling method in the livestock buildings and the equilibrium concentration technique in outdoor yards.The mean NH₃ emission factor for the whole housing system (buildings + outdoor yards) was 43.7 g NH₃–N LU^?1 day^?1 and for outdoor concrete yards used by dairy cattle was 26.6 g NH₃–N LU^?1 day^?1. Expressing NH₃ emission in terms of the quantity of liquid milk produced gave similar values across the three dairy farms studied (with a mean of 2.3 kg N ton-milk^?1 produced) and may have advantages when comparing different farming systems. In dairy houses with outdoor yards, NH₃ emissions from the yard area contributed to 69–92% of total emissions from this housing system. Emissions were particularly important during spring and summer seasons from outdoor yards with NH₃ emitted in this period accounting for about 72% of annual emissions from outdoor yards. Mean NH₃ emission factors derived for this freestall housing system and outdoor concrete yards used by dairy cattle in Portugal were higher than those measured in northern Europe. In addition, values of animal N excretion estimated in this study were greater than official National standard values. If these emissions are typical for Portuguese dairy systems, then the current National inventory underestimates emissions from this source in NW of Portugal, because of the use of lower standard values of N excretion by dairy cattle.     

Greenhouse gas emissions from dairy open lot and manure stockpile in northern China: A case study

The open lots and manure stockpiles of dairy farm are major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in typical dairy cow housing and manure management system in China. GHG (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) emissions from the ground level of brick-paved open lots and uncovered manure stockpiles were estimated according to the field measurements of a typical dairy farm in Beijing by closed chambers in four consecutive seasons. Location variation and manure removal strategy impacts were assessed on GHG emissions from the open lots. Estimated CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions from the ground level of the open lots were 137.5±64.7 kg hd^-1 yr^-1, 0.45±0.21 kg hd^-1 yr^-1 and 0.13±0.08 kg hd^-1 yr^-1, respectively. There were remarkable location variations of GHG emissions from different zones (cubicle zone vs. aisle zone) of the open lot. However, the emissions from the whole open lot were less affected by the locations. After manure removal, lower CH₄ but higher N₂O emitted from the open lot. Estimated CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions from stockpile with a stacking height of 55±12 cm were 858.9±375.8 kg hd^-1 yr^-1, 8.5±5.4 kg hd^-1 yr^-1 and 2.3±1.1 kg hd^-1 yr^-1, respectively. In situ storage duration, which estimated by manure volatile solid contents (VS), would affect GHG emissions from stockpiles. Much higher N₂O was emitted from stockpiles in summer due to longer manure storage.

Implications: This study deals with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from open lots and stockpiles. It’s an increasing area of concern in some livestock producing countries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology is commonly used for estimation of national GHG emission inventories. There is a shortage of on-farm information to evaluate the accuracy of these equations and default emission factors. This work provides valuable information for improving accounting practices within China or for similar manure management practice in other countries.     

Comparison of seasonal phenol and p-cresol emissions from ground-level area sources in a dairy operation in central Texas

Although there are more than 200 odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phenol and p-cresol are two prominent odor-causing VOCs found downwind from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The VOC emissions from cattle and dairy production are difficult to quantify accurately because of their low concentrations, spatial variability, and limitations of available instruments. To quantify VOCs, a protocol following US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method TO-14A has been established based on the isolation flux chamber method and a portable gas chromatograph (GC) coupled with a purge-and-trap system. The general objective of this research was to quantify phenol and p-cresol emission rates (ERs) from different ground-level area sources (GLASs) in a free-stall dairy during summer and winter seasons using this protocol. Two-week-long sampling campaigns were conducted in a dairy operation in central Texas. Twenty-nine air samples were collected during winter and 37 samples were collected during summer from six specifically delineated GLASs (barn, loafing pen, lagoon, settling basin, silage pile, and walkway) at the free-stall dairy. Thirteen VOCs were identified during the sampling period and the GC was calibrated for phenol and p-cresol, the primary odorous VOCs identified. The overall calculated ERs for phenol and p-cresol were 2656 +/- 728 and 763 +/- 212 mg hd(-1) day(-1), respectively, during winter. Overall phenol and p-cresol ERs were calculated to be 1183 +/- 361 and 551 +/- 214 mg hd(-1) day(-1), respectively, during summer. In general, overall phenol and p-cresol ERs during winter were about 2.3 and 1.4 times, respectively, higher than those during summer.     

Response of inorganic fine particulate matter to emission changes of sulfur dioxide and ammonia: the eastern United States as a case study

A three-dimensional chemical transport model (PMCAMx) was used to investigate changes in fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations in response to changes in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3) emissions during July 2001 and January 2002 in the eastern United States. A uniform 50% reduction in SO2 emissions was predicted to produce an average decrease of PM2.5 concentrations by 26% during July but only 6% during January. A 50% reduction of NH3 emissions leads to an average 4 and 9% decrease in PM2.5 in July and January, respectively. During the summer, the highest concentration of sulfate is in South Indiana (12.8 microg x m(-3)), and the 50% reduction of SO2 emissions results in a 5.7 microg x m(-3) (44%) sulfate decrease over this area. During winter, the SO2 emissions reduction results in a 1.5 microg x m(-3) (29%) decrease of the peak sulfate levels (5.2 microg x m(-3)) over Southeast Georgia. The maximum nitrate and ammonium concentrations are predicted to be over the Midwest (1.9 (-3)g x m(-3) in Ohio and 5.3 microg x m(-3) in South Indiana, respectively) in the summer whereas in the winter these concentrations are higher over the Northeast (3 microg x m(-3) of nitrate in Connecticut and 2.7 microg x m(-3) of ammonium in New York). The 50% NH3 emissions reduction is more effective for controlling nitrate, compared with SO2 reductions, producing a 1.1 microg x m(-3) nitrate decrease over Ohio in July and a 1.2 microg x m(-3) decrease over Connecticut in January. Ammonium decreases significantly when either SO2 or NH3 emissions are decreased. However, the SO2 control strategy has better results in July when ammonium decreases, up to 2 microg x m(-3) (37%), are predicted in South Indiana. The NH3 control strategy has better results in January (ammonium decreases up to 0.4 microg x m(-3) in New York). The spatial and temporal characteristics of the effectiveness of these emission control strategies during the summer and winter seasons are discussed.     

Differentiation of nitrous oxide emission factors for agricultural soils

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) direct soil emissions from agriculture are often estimated using the default IPCC emission factor (EF) of 1%. However, a large variation in EFs exists due to differences in environment, crops and management. We developed an approach to determine N₂O EFs that depend on N-input sources and environmental factors. The starting point of the method was a monitoring study in which an EF of 1% was found. The conditions of this experiment were set as the reference from which the effects of 16 sources of N input, three soil types, two land-use types and annual precipitation on the N₂O EF were estimated. The derived EF inference scheme performed on average better than the default IPCC EF. The use of differentiated EFs, including different regional conditions, allows accounting for the effects of more mitigation measures and offers European countries a possibility to use a Tier 2 approach.     

Atmospheric phase distribution of oxidized and reduced nitrogen at a forest ecosystem research site

Atmospheric concentrations of gaseous NH3 and HNO3 and of particulate NH4+ and NO3- were measured during various seasons at a forest ecosystem research site in the "Fichtelgebirge" mountains in Central Europe. Air masses arriving at this site were highly variable with respect to trace compound concentration levels and their concentration ratios. However, the distributions of NH4+ and NO3- within the aerosol particle size spectra exhibited some very consistent patterns, with the former dominating the fine particle concentrations, and the latter dominating the coarse particles range, respectively. Overall, the particulate phase (NH4+ + NO3-) dominated the atmospheric nitrogen budget (particulate and gas phase, NH4+ + NO3- + NH3 + HNO3) by more than 90% of the median total mixing ratio in winter, and by more than 60% in summer. The phase partitioning varied significantly between the winter and summer seasons, with higher relative importance of the gaseous species during summer, when air temperatures were higher and relative humidities lower as compared to the winter season. Reduced nitrogen dominated over oxidized nitrogen, indicating the prevailing influence of emissions from agricultural activity as compared to traffic emissions at this mountainous site. A model has been successfully applied in order to test the hypothesis of thermodynamic equilibrium between the particulate and gas phases.     

Evaluation of mutagenic potential of contaminated atmosphere at Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo - SP, Brazil, using the Tradescantia stamen-hair assay

We report seasonal variation in CH(4) and N(2)O emission rate from solid storage of bovine manure in Delhi as well as emission factors and emission inventory from manure management systems in India. Emission flux observed in the year 2002-2003 was 4.29+/-1, 4.84+/-2.44 and 12.92+/-4.25 mg CH(4)kg(-1)dung day(-1), as well as 31.29+/-4.93, 72.11+/-16.22 and 6.39+/-1.76 microgN(2)O kg(-1)dung day(-1) in winter, summer and rainy seasons, respectively. CH(4) emission factors varied from 0.8 to 3.3 kg hd(-1)year(-1) for bovines and were lower than IPCC-1996 default values. N(2)O emission factors varied from 3 to 11.7 mg hd(-1)year(-1) from solid storage of manure. Inventory estimates were found to about 698+/-27 Gg CH(4) from all manure management systems and 2.3+/-0.46 tons of N(2)O from solid storage of manure for the year 2000.     

Measuring ammonia emissions from land applied manure: an intercomparison of commonly used samplers and techniques

A number of techniques have been developed to quantify ammonia (NH(3)) emissions following land application of manure or fertiliser. In this study, coefficients of variation were determined for three commonly used field techniques (mass balance integrated horizontal flux, wind tunnels and the equilibrium concentration technique) for measuring emissions from a range of manure types. Coefficients of variation (CV) for absorption flasks, passive flux samplers and passive diffusion samplers were 21, 10 and 14%, respectively. In comparative measurements, concentrations measured using passive flux samplers and absorption flasks did not differ significantly, but those measured using passive diffusion samplers were on average 1.8 times greater. The mass balance technique and wind tunnels gave broadly similar results in two out of four field tests. Overexposure of passive diffusion samplers for some sampling periods meant that estimation of cumulative NH(3) emission using the equilibrium concentration technique in the field tests could not be made. For cumulative NH(3) emissions, CVs were in the range of 23-52, 46-74 and 21-39% for the mass balance, wind tunnel and equilibrium concentration techniques, respectively. Lower CVs were associated with measurements following slurry compared with solid manure applications. Our conclusions from this study are that for the measurement of absolute emissions the mass balance technique is to be preferred, and for small-plot comparative measurements the wind tunnel system is preferred to the equilibrium concentration technique.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSION FROM OPEN BURNING OF RICE STRAW

Emission from field burning of crop residue, a common practice in many parts of the world today, has potential effects on air quality, atmosphere and climate. This study provides a comprehensive size and compositional characterization of particulate matter (PM) emission from rice straw (RS) burning using both in situ experiments (11 spread field burning) and laboratory hood experiments (3 pile and 6 spread burning) that were conducted during 2003-2006 in Thailand. The carbon balance and emission ratio method was used to determine PM emission factors (EF) in the field experiments. The obtained EFs varied from field to hood experiments reflecting multiple factors affecting combustion and emission. In the hood experiments, EFs were found to be depending on the burning types (spread or pile), moisture content and the combustion efficiency. In addition, in the field experiments, burning rate and EF were also influenced by weather conditions, i.e. wind. Hood pile burning produced significantly higher EF (20±8 g kg(-1) RS) than hood spread burning (4.7±2.2 g kg(-1) RS). The majority of PM emitted from the field burning was PM(2.5) with EF of 5.1±0.7 g m(-2) or 8.3±2.7 g kg(-1) RS burned. The coarse PM fraction (PM(10-2.5)) was mainly generated by fire attention activities and was relatively small, hence the resulting EF of PM(10) (9.4±3.5 g kg(-1) RS) was not significantly higher than PM(2.5). PM size distribution was measured across 8 size ranges (from <0.4 μm to >9.0 μm). The largest fractions of PM, EC and OC were associated with PM(1.1). The most significant components in PM(2.5) and PM(10) include OC, water soluble ions and levoglucosan. Relative abundance of some methoxyphenols (e.g., acetylsyringone), PAHs (e.g., fluoranthene and pyrene), organochlorine pesticides and PCBs may also serve as additional signatures for the PM emission. Presence of these toxic compounds in PM of burning smoke increases the potential toxic effects of the emission. For illustration, an estimation of the annual RS field burning in Thailand was made using the obtained in situ field burning EFs and preliminary burning activity data.     

Characterizing ammonia emissions from swine farms in eastern North Carolina: part 1--conventional lagoon and spray technology for waste treatment

Ammonia (NH3) fluxes from waste treatment lagoons and barns at two conventional swine farms in eastern North Carolina were measured. The waste treatment lagoon data were analyzed to elucidate the temporal (seasonal and diurnal) variability and to derive regression relationships between NH3 flux and lagoon temperature, pH and ammonium content of the lagoon, and the most relevant meteorological parameters. NH3 fluxes were measured at various sampling locations on the lagoons by a flowthrough dynamic chamber system interfaced to an environmentally controlled mobile laboratory. Two sets of open-path Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers were also used to measure NH3 concentrations for estimating NH3 emissions from the animal housing units (barns) at the lagoon and spray technology (LST) sites. Two different types of ventilation systems were used at the two farms. Moore farm used fan ventilation, and Stokes farm used natural ventilation. The early fall and winter season intensive measurement campaigns were conducted during September 9 to October 11, 2002 (lagoon temperature ranged from 21.2 to 33.6 degrees C) and January 6 to February 2, 2003 (lagoon temperature ranged from 1.7 to 12 degrees C), respectively. Significant differences in seasonal NH3 fluxes from the waste treatment lagoons were found at both farms. Typical diurnal variation of NH3 flux with its maximum value in the afternoon was observed during both experimental periods. Exponentially increasing flux with increasing surface lagoon temperature was observed, and a linear regression relationship between logarithm of NH3 flux and lagoon surface temperature (T1) was obtained. Correlations between lagoon NH3 flux and chemical parameters, such as pH, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) were found to be statistically insignificant or weak. In addition to lagoon surface temperature, the difference (D) between air temperature and the lagoon surface temperature was also found to influence the NH3 flux, especially when D > 0 (i.e., air hotter than lagoon). This hot-air effect is included in the statistical-observational model obtained in this study, which was used further in the companion study (Part II), to compare the emissions from potential environmental superior technologies to evaluate the effectiveness of each technology.     

Which meteorological conditions produce worst-case odors from area sources?

Two competing meteorological factors influence atmospheric concentrations of pollutants from open liquid area sources such as wastewater treatment plant units: temperature and stability. High temperatures in summer produce greater emissions from liquid area sources because of increased compound volatility; however, these emissions tend to disperse more readily because of frequent occurrence of unstable conditions. An opposite scenario occurs in winter, with lesser emissions due to lower temperatures, but also frequently less dispersion, due to stable atmospheric conditions. The primary objective of this modeling study was thus to determine whether higher atmospheric concentrations from open liquid area sources occur more frequently in summer, when emissions are greater but so is dispersion, or in winter, when emissions are lesser but so is dispersion. The study utilized a rectangular clarifier emitting hydrogen sulfide as a sample open liquid area source. Dispersion modeling runs were conducted using ISCST3 and AERMOD, encompassing 5 yr of hourly meteorological data divided by season. Emission rates were varied hourly on the basis of a curve-fit developed from previously collected field data. Model output for each season was used to determine (1) maximum 2-min average concentrations, (2) the number of odor events (2-min average concentrations greater than odor detection thresholds), and (3) areas of impact. On the basis of these 3 types of output, it was found that the worst-case odors were associated with summer, considering impacts of meteorology upon both emissions and dispersion. Not accounting for the impact of meteorology on emissions (using a constant worst-case emission rate) caused concentrations to be overpredicted compared with a variable emission rate case. The highest concentrations occurred during stability classes D, E, and F, as anticipated. A comparison of ISCST3 and AERMOD found that for the area source modeled, ISCST3 predicted higher concentrations and more odor events for all seasons.     

Shallow groundwater quality on dairy farms with irrigated forage crops

California's dairies are the largest confined animal industry in the state. A major portion of these dairies, which have an average herd size of nearly 1000 animal units, are located in low-relief valleys and basins. Large amounts of liquid manure are generated and stored in these dairies. In the semi-arid climate, liquid manure is frequently applied via flood or furrow irrigation to forage crops that are grown almost year-round. Little is known about the impact of manure management practices on water quality of the extensive alluvial aquifers underlying these basins. The objective of this work is to assess nitrate and salt leaching to shallow groundwater in a relatively vulnerable hydrogeologic region and to quantify the impact from individual sources on dairies. The complex array of potential point and nonpoint sources was divided into three major source areas representing farm management units: (1) manure water lagoons (ponds); (2) feedlot or exercise yard, dry manure, and feed storage areas (corrals); and (3) manure irrigated forage fields (fields). An extensive shallow groundwater-monitoring network (44 wells) was installed in five representative dairy operations in the northeastern San Joaquin Valley, CA. Water quality (electrical conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, total Kjehldahl nitrogen) was observed over a 4-year period. Nitrate-N, reduced nitrogen and electrical conductivity (EC, salinity) were subject to large spatial and temporal variability. The range of observed nitrate-N and salinity levels was similar on all five dairies. Average shallow groundwater nitrate-N concentrations within the dairies were 64 mg/l compared to 24 mg/l in shallow wells immediately upgradient of these dairies. Average EC levels were 1.9 mS/cm within the dairies and 0.8 mS/cm immediately upgradient. Within the dairies, nitrate-N levels did not significantly vary across dairy management units. However, EC levels were significantly higher in corral and pond areas (2.3 mS/cm) than in field areas (1.6 mS/cm) indicating leaching from those management units. Pond leaching was further inferred from the presence of reduced nitrogen in three of four wells located immediately downgradient of pond berms. The estimated minimum average annual groundwater nitrate-N and salt loading from manure-treated forage fields were 280 and 4300 kg/ha, respectively. Leaching rates for ponds are estimated to be on the order of 0.8 m/year, at least locally. Since manure-treated fields represent by far the largest land area of the dairy, proper nutrient management will be a key to protecting groundwater quality in dairy regions overlying alluvial aquifers.     

Methane emissions from a dairy feedlot during the fall and winter seasons in Northern China

Accurately determining methane emission factors of dairy herd in China is imperative because of China’s large population of dairy cattle. An inverse dispersion technique in conjunction with open-path lasers was used to quantify methane emissions from a dairy feedlot during the fall and winter seasons in 2009-2010. The methane emissions had a significant diurnal pattern during both periods with three emission peaks corresponding to the feeding schedule. A 10% greater emission rate in the fall season was obtained most likely by the higher methane emission from manure during that period. An annual methane emission rate of 109 ± 6.7 kg CH₄ yr⁻¹ characterized with a methane emission intensity of 32.3 ± 1.59 L CH₄ L⁻¹ of milk and a methane conversion factor (Y_m) of 7.3 ± 0.38% for mature cattle was obtained, indicating the high methane emission intensity and low milk productivity in Northern China.     

Managing ammonia emissions from livestock production in Europe

Around 75% of European ammonia (NH(3)) emissions come from livestock production. Emissions occur at all stages of manure management: from buildings housing livestock; during manure storage; following manure application to land; and from urine deposited by livestock on pastures during grazing. Ammoniacal nitrogen (total ammoniacal-nitrogen, TAN) in livestock excreta is the main source of NH(3). At each stage of manure management TAN may be lost, mainly as NH(3), and the remainder passed to the next stage. Hence, measures to reduce NH(3) emissions at the various stages of manure management are interdependent, and the accumulative reduction achieved by combinations of measures is not simply additive. This TAN-flow concept enables rapid and easy estimation of the consequences of NH(3) abatement at one stage of manure management (upstream) on NH(3) emissions at later stages (downstream), and gives unbiased assessment of the most cost-effective measures. We conclude that rapid incorporation of manures into arable land is one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce NH(3) emissions, while covering manure stores and applying slurry by band spreader or injection are more cost-effective than measures to reduce emissions from buildings. These measures are likely to rank highly in most European countries.