Sven G Sommer

A rapidly changing and expanding livestock and poultry production sector is causing a range of environmental problems on local, regional and global scales. Animal Manure Recycling: Treatment and Management presents an accessible overview of environmentally friendly technologies for managing animal manure more efficiently and in a sustainable manner. The book describes the physical and chemical characteristics of animal manure and microbial processes, featuring detailed examples and case studies showing how this knowledge can be used in practice. Readers are introduced to the sustainable use of animal manure for crop fertilisation and soil amelioration. Environmentally friendly technologies for reducing emissions of ammonia, odour and the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane are presented, and reduction of plant nutrient losses using separation technologies is introduced. Finally and most importantly, the book describes methods to commercialise and transfer knowledge about innovations to end-users. Topics covered include: Regulation of animal manure managementManure organic matter: characteristics and microbial transformationsGreenhouse gas emissions from animal manures and technologies for their reductionTechnologies and logistics for handling, transport and distribution of animal manuresBioenergy productionAnimal manure residue upgrading and nutrient recovery in bio-fertilisersLife cycle assessment of manure management systemsInnovation in animal manure management and recycling Animal Manure Recycling: Treatment and Management presents state-of-the-art coverage of the entire animal manure chain, providing practical information for engineers, environmental consultants, academics and advanced students involved in scientific, technical and regulatory issues related to animal manure management.

Ammonia emissions from farming are causing environmental problems on local and regional scale in Europe and elsewhere. These emissions also reduce the efficiency of manure as a fertiliser in crop production. This thesis presents a body of research and development on technologies to reduce ammonia emissions from stored animal slurry, field-applied slurry and mineral fertilisers. The processes involved in the release of ammonia from slurry, transport of ammonium and pH changes in surface layers of stored slurry and slurry and fertilisers applied to the surface of bare soils are described. Techniques and management practices that reduce ammonia emission are presented and evaluated. With continued research, we will better understand the relationships between ammonia emissions and the most important underlying processes. This information can be used to develop technologies, models and decision support for better management of animal manure, leading to a minimal negative impact on the environment and a strong positive impact on plant production. The thesis makes a contribution to research using basic science to develop applied technological solutions. It also proposes areas for future research that can enable efficient use of manure and reduce environmental pollution.