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Reducing nitrogen losses during composting of poultry manure using the natural zeolite clinoptilolite Kithome, Mussolini
Abstract
Loss of N via NH₃ volatilization during composting of poultry manure reduces the agronomic value of the end-product and contributes to environmental pollution. The objectives of this study were to evaluate N losses via NH₃ volatilization during aerobic composting of poultry layer manure, examine the potential of natural zeolites to adsorb the volatilized NH₃ during composting, and evaluate the poultry manure-zeolite compost as a controlled-release N fertilizer. Eleven mineral samples were characterized for their physical properties, chemical composition, and NH₄⁺ adsorption capacity. The effectiveness of a clinoptilolite zeolite ZI as an NH₄⁺ adsorbent at pH range 4 to 7 was tested. The kinetics of NH₄⁺ exchange on the zeolite was evaluated at the pH range 4 to 7, initial NH₄⁺ concentrations ranging from 70.1 to 1401 mgN L⁻¹, and a temperature range of 25 to 55 °C. Ammonia emissions were measured during composting of poultry manure with zeolites and other amendments in a laboratory composting simulator. The resulting composts were applied to a sand based medium planted with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) where growth, N uptake, and NH₄⁺ and N0₃⁻ leaching were evaluated. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) and purity of the zeolites, with respect to mineralogy and constituent ions, influenced their affinity and adsorptive capacity for NH₄⁺. The amount of NH₄ ⁺ adsorbed increased with increasing pH and NH₄⁺ concentration. The estimated NH₄⁺ adsorption capacity increased linearly with pH (r2 = 0.994), ranging from 9660 mg N L⁻¹ at pH 4 to 13830 mg N L⁻¹ at pH 7. Studies on thermodynamics of NH₄⁺exchange on the zeolite ZI indicated a higher activation energy for desorption (5.65 kJ mol1) than for adsorption (2.32 kJ mol⁻¹). Composting poultry manure with 60% zeolite ZI (weight basis) reduced NH₃ losses by 44.3%. The compost had total N concentration of 17.04 g N kg⁻¹ and a high NH₄ ⁺ concentration (52.8% of the total N). The 60% zeolite Zl-amended compost treatment produced the highest ryegrass dry matter, N accumulation and N use efficiency compared to the other composts evaluated. Nitrogen leaching losses were low. Although composting poultry manure amended with the natural zeolite clinoptilolite can reduce N losses to the atmosphere, recycling it for crop utilization, the cost of the high amount of zeolite required may be prohibitive.
Item Metadata
Title |
Reducing nitrogen losses during composting of poultry manure using the natural zeolite clinoptilolite
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1998
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Description |
Loss of N via NH₃ volatilization during composting of poultry manure reduces the agronomic
value of the end-product and contributes to environmental pollution. The objectives of this study were to
evaluate N losses via NH₃ volatilization during aerobic composting of poultry layer manure, examine the
potential of natural zeolites to adsorb the volatilized NH₃ during composting, and evaluate the poultry
manure-zeolite compost as a controlled-release N fertilizer. Eleven mineral samples were characterized
for their physical properties, chemical composition, and NH₄⁺ adsorption capacity. The effectiveness of a
clinoptilolite zeolite ZI as an NH₄⁺
adsorbent at pH range 4 to 7 was tested. The kinetics of NH₄⁺
exchange on the zeolite was evaluated at the pH range 4 to 7, initial NH₄⁺
concentrations ranging from
70.1 to 1401 mgN L⁻¹, and a temperature range of 25 to 55 °C. Ammonia emissions were measured
during composting of poultry manure with zeolites and other amendments in a laboratory composting
simulator. The resulting composts were applied to a sand based medium planted with ryegrass (Lolium
multiflorum) where growth, N uptake, and NH₄⁺
and N0₃⁻ leaching were evaluated. The cation exchange
capacity (CEC) and purity of the zeolites, with respect to mineralogy and constituent ions, influenced
their affinity and adsorptive capacity for NH₄⁺. The amount of NH₄
⁺ adsorbed increased with increasing
pH and NH₄⁺ concentration. The estimated NH₄⁺
adsorption capacity increased linearly with pH (r2 =
0.994), ranging from 9660 mg N L⁻¹ at pH 4 to 13830 mg N L⁻¹ at pH 7. Studies on thermodynamics of
NH₄⁺exchange on the zeolite ZI indicated a higher activation energy for desorption (5.65 kJ mol1) than
for adsorption (2.32 kJ mol⁻¹). Composting poultry manure with 60% zeolite ZI (weight basis) reduced
NH₃ losses by 44.3%. The compost had total N concentration of 17.04 g N kg⁻¹ and a high NH₄
⁺ concentration (52.8% of the total N). The 60% zeolite Zl-amended compost treatment produced the
highest ryegrass dry matter, N accumulation and N use efficiency compared to the other composts
evaluated. Nitrogen leaching losses were low. Although composting poultry manure amended with the
natural zeolite clinoptilolite can reduce N losses to the atmosphere, recycling it for crop utilization, the
cost of the high amount of zeolite required may be prohibitive.
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Extent |
6628952 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-05-28
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0088676
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1998-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.