Carbon monoxide production from land applied cheese whey

Cheese whey (60 000 mg COD l−1) was applied at a rate of 20 l/m2 (4 lbs/ft2) to growing alfalfa (Fortress variety) on silt loam calcareous soil. Selected sites were covered with a collection tent to collect gases generated. Large amounts of carbon monoxide (> 535 ppm) and relatively small amounts of methane (≤37•1 ppm) were emitted from the soil. These results indicate a concern for whey disposal on agricultural ground and the resultant production of CO.