REDUCTION OF ODOR GASES FROM CATTLE MANURE WITH CHEMICAL ADDITIVES

Authors: Varel, Vincent; Miller, Daniel

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Varel, V.H., Miller, D.N. 1999. Reduction of odor gases from cattle manure with chemical additives [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Animal Feeding Operations: Effects on Hydrologic Resources and the Environment; USGS, AFO Workshop, August 30 - September 1, 1999, Fort Collins, Colorado. p. 34.

Interpretive Summary: No Interpretive Summary required.

Technical Abstract: In order to reduce odor emitted from livestock manure, the microbial populations responsible for producing the odorous fermentation endproducts must be controlled. Odorous compounds are produced from an incomplete fermentation of the organic substrates in manure. Even under optimum conditions, complete fermentation of manure produces the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide. The environmental conditions that livestock manure is exposed to are unpredictable, and manure handling systems vary greatly. Thus, microbial manure fermentation is difficult to predict and usually results in a variety of odorous and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the fermentation should be inhibited before the odorous gases are produced. The objectives of our studies were to evaluate a variety of environmentally friendly chemicals which inhibit the microbial fermentation of stored manure. Duplicate one-liter stoppered flasks with 500 ml working gvolume were used in a series of experiments with beef cattle manure (urine and feces) to evaluate chemicals which reduced total gas and volatile fatty acid production. Over 20 antimicrobial chemicals were evaluated separately and in combination. A combination of a cationic agent, halogenic carboxylic acid, and a plant essential oil reduced the volatile fatty acids and gas volume after 27 days, 50% and 80%, respectively, when compared to controls. Further studies are needed to determine which volatile organic compounds are reduced. We conclude that various environmentally friendly additives can be added to manure which will reduce odorous and greenhouse gases, conserve nutrients in manure that are valuable as plant fertilizer and potentially reduce pathogenic microorganisms.