BIOCOATINGS AS A STRATEGY FOR MITIGATING AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM MANURE: INFLUENCE OF APPLICATION PRACTICES

Abstract

The application of organic coatings (straw, peat, hemp chaff, sawdust) in liquid manure and slurry management is a promising means of reducing NH₃ emissions, related to nutrient conservation and soil quality. A two-chamber experiment was performed at the VMU-AA Thermoenergetic Processes and Emissions Laboratory: 15 L of homogenised cattle manure was stored under identical conditions with and without coatings, systematically increasing the coating thickness. NH₃ concentration was measured with a laser analyser, emissions were calculated using the mass flow method; statistical significance was assessed by ANOVA and Tukey HSD (p < 0.05). Emission reduction efficiency increases with cover thickness; hemp chips or sawdust at ~10 cm is a reliable and economical compromise; peat (≥3–5 cm) almost eliminates emissions, but raises sustainability issues; straw is an intermediate, more volatile solution. The decrease in efficiency is explained by processes controlled by porosity and capillary transport.