Nitrogen Isotope Fractionation and Origin of Ammonia Nitrogen Volatilized from Cattle Manure in Simulated Storage

Abstract

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to establish the relationship between nitrogen (N) isotope composition of cattle manure and ammonia emissions, potential contribution of nitrogenous gases other than ammonia to manure N volatilization losses, and to determine the relative contribution of urinary-vs. fecal-N to ammonia emissions during the initial stage of manure storage. Data confirmed that ammonia volatilization losses from manure are most intensive during the first 2 to 3 days of storage and this coincides with a very rapid loss (hydrolysis) of urinary urea. Long-term (30 days) monitoring of δ 15 N of manure and emitted ammonia indicated that the dynamics of N isotope fractionation may be complicating the usefulness of the isotope approach as a tool for estimating ammonia emissions from manure in field conditions. The relationship between δ 15 N of manure and ammonia emission appears to be linear during the initial stages of manure storage (when most of the ammonia losses occur) and should be further investigated. These experiments demonstrated that the main source of ammonia-N volatilized from cattle manure during the initial 10 days of storage is urinary-N, representing on average 90% of the emitted ammonia-N. The contribution of fecal-N was relatively low, but gradually increased to about 10% by day 10. There appears to be substantial emissions of nitrogenous gases other than ammonia, most likely dinitrogen gas, which may account for up to 25% of N losses during the first 20 days of manure storage. This finding, which has to be confirmed in laboratory and field conditions, may be indicative of overestimation of ammonia emissions from cattle operations by the current emissions factors. OPEN ACCESSAtmosphere 2011, 2 257

A Rapid Method for Measuring Feces Ammonia‐Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide‐Carbon Emissions and Decomposition Rate Constants

“…Similarly, Lee et al (2011) in a laboratory study had slightly lower NH 3 volatilization which ranged from 1 to 13%. In our study, 20% NH 4 -N volatilization loss is similar to the losses reported for urea (Clay et al, 1990) and simulated urine (Sherlock and Goh, 1985) and lower than the losses reported for surface-applied manure (Stevens and Laughlin, 1997;Lee et al, 2011;.…”

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Monitoring of Nitrogen Volatilization from Beef Cattle Feces and 15N-Labeled Synthetic Urine

“…In the long-term, recognizing the source of aerial N losses from beef cattle manure and the time when N emission are highest will help with beef cattle manure management decisions. Our research complements research conducted by Thomsen [9] and Lee et al [10] and specifically considers NH3 emission from beef cattle manure with respect to time after fresh manure addition. Compared to 15 N-labeled urine obtained from the animal, the applicability of synthetic 15 N-labeled urine would allow advanced control over the 15 N concentration in the manure mixture and provides a less costly and time-consuming alternative.…”

“…Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is typically used to determine the ratio of 15 N and 14 N of plant and soil samples with high accuracy to detect even small differences between isotopic abundances of sample and standard conditions [7,8]. Few studies have been conducted that discuss labeled N movements through manure management systems [9,10] and have focused on compost [11][12][13] and anaerobic systems [14,15].…”

“…However, only limited research examines the quantity of NH3 originating from urine versus feces in the manure. Thomsen [9] and Lee et al [10] investigated urinary vs. fecal-N contribution to gaseous N emission from composted and anaerobically stored 15 N-labeled sheep manure with bedding and stored dairy cattle manure, respectively. Both studies showed that urinary N accounted for the highest N loss from the manure.…”

Changing nitrogen deposition with low δ15N−NH4 + and δ15N−NO3 − values at the Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario, Canada

“…The observed increase in NH 4 + deposition at the ELA may be a result of Heavily farmed land leads to increased emissions of NH 3 to the atmosphere through the application of NH 4 + fertilizer and N as manure (Asman et al 1998). Both crop and animal farming result in NH 3 volatilization (Lee et al 2011). In Manitoba, fertilizer application increased four-fold from 1970 to 2011 (Fig.…”