Amendments for mitigation of odor emissions from dairy manure: Preliminary screening

Eileen F. Wheeler, M. Arlene A. Adviento-Borbe, Robin C. Brandt, Patrick A. Topper, Deborah A. Topper, Herschel A. Elliott, Robert E. Graves, Alexander N. Hristov, Virginia A. Ishler, Mary Ann V. Bruns

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Manure amendments have shown variable effectiveness in reducing odor. Twenty-two amendments were evaluated for dairy manure odor stored at 20°C for 3 d and 30 d. Amendments represented different classes of product including microbial, oxidizing agent, disinfectant, masking agent, and adsorbent. Each amendment was added to 2 kg dairy manure (1:1.7 urine:feces, 12% total solids) following recommended rates. In this preliminary screening, one sample (n=1) of each amendment was evaluated along with untreated manure (Control). Odor emissions from each amendment and Control was estimated twice by five qualified odor assessors (n=10) after each storage duration following an international standard method for Triangular Forced-Choice Olfactometry. Odor quality was quantified using a hedonic tone scale, a Labeled Magnitude Scale and ASTM methods for suprathreshold odor intensity and an odor character wheel for description. Odor emissions were significantly reduced at 30 d versus 3 d incubation (P<0.0001) with no amendment effective for both incubation times. Likewise, for all amendments tested, aging the manure slurry for 30 d reduced malodor and odor intensity by 10 to 105% (P<0.0001). A microbial digest/enzyme product (proprietary), disinfectant (hydrogen peroxide) and masking agent (Hyssopus officinalis essential oil) provided significant short-term control of odor (P <0.0001). However, after 30 d, only a proprietary microbial aerobic/facultative product and a proprietary mix of chemicals, both with weekly re-application, retained efficacy. Hedonic tone indicated an improvement to "slightly to moderately unpleasant" smell versus untreated manure for all amendments except clinoptilolite zeolite. Hedonic tone improvement was correlated with reduced manure odor intensity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2010, ASABE 2010
PublisherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Pages1442-1457
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9781617388354
StatePublished - 2010

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2010, ASABE 2010
Volume2

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)

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