Evaluation of Zeolite as a Binding Agent to Mitigate Ammonia Loss From Pig Slurry and Manure
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Research/Industrial partners: Cranfield University
Sponsors: BPEX
Project duration: 2009
The aim of the proposed project was to evaluate the efficiency of using zeolite as a binding agent to reduce NH3 volatilisation from pig slurry and manure. This was achieved by the following specific objectives:
- To determine the effect of adding zeolite to soils mixed with pig slurry and manure on NH3 volatilisation
- To determine the efficacy of zeolite as an adsorbent for Cu and Zn present in pig slurry and manure
- To determine the influence of zeolite on urease activity in soil and pig manure
The addition of zeolite to manure and slurry reduced NH3 emission, but greater reduction was achieved when it was mixed with soil. A higher dose of added zeolite did not increase adsorption of NH4 as the sites of adsorption in zeolite lattice could be saturated to create any treatment effect. Zeolite was not very effective in adsorbing Zn in manure and slurry but Cu was reduced significantly (from 58 to 38 mg/kg Cu) in manure. Urease activity is greater in manure (1600-2000 µmol/g) than in soil (10-50 µmol/g) which helps to hydrolyse urea to form ammonium.
Download the full report here.
Page last updated 12 October 2010