Greenhouse gas emissions from swine manure stored at different stack heights

Swine manure storage is a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study was conducted to quantify CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from swine manure stored at different stack heights using dynamic emission vessels. Stack heights of 10, 20, and 40 cm to cover the typical range of manure stack heights, were examined at 25 °C with a ventilation rate of 20 air changes/h with each regimen replicated thrice. Results show that the GHG emissions increased on the 2nd to 3rd day of manure storage then decreased to became stable after 10 d of storage. Manure stack height affected GHG emissions from stored swine manure, with the lower stack height having higher CO2 and N2O, but lower CH4, emissions/kg of initial manure weight. On the basis of 100 yr global warming potential for CH4 and N2O, cumulative emissions were 7.5 ± 1.11, 6.8 ± 1.32 and 10.8 ± 1.23 g CO2-eqv/kg initial manure, respectively, for the 10, 20, and 40 cm stacks over the 6 wk storage period. Results suggest that 20 cm stack height produced the least GHG emissions. aper is part of the special issue entitled: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions, Guest Edited by T.A. McAllister, Section Guest Editors: K.A. Beauchemin, X. Hao, S. McGinn and Editor for Animal Feed Science and Technology, P.H. Robinson.