Effectiveness of Floating Covers in Mitigating Ammonia and Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions from Lab-Scale Swine Slurry Pits

Jumi Lee, Riuh Wardhani, Jinho Shin, Seunghun Lee, Yangjoon Lee and Heekwon Ahn ()
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Jumi Lee: Department of Livestock Environmental Science & Technology, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Riuh Wardhani: Department of Dairy Science, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Jinho Shin: Department of Dairy Science, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Seunghun Lee: Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Yangjoon Lee: Department of Dairy Science, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Heekwon Ahn: Department of Livestock Environmental Science & Technology, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of floating covers (FCs) in mitigating ammonia (NH 3 ) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) emissions from lab-scale swine slurry pits. Lab experiments were conducted over 125 days, comparing a treatment setup with FCs covering approximately 51.6% of the slurry surface to a control setup without covers. The results showed a significant reduction in NH 3 emissions by 54.4% with FCs ( p < 0.05), which was attributed to their ability to limit NH 3 volatilization and promote crust formation. Although H 2 S emissions were also reduced by 22.7%, this decrease was not statistically significant, likely due to the complex factors influencing H 2 S production. These findings highlight the role of floating covers (FCs) in improving air quality within swine barns and reducing environmental pollution. By minimizing nitrogen loss as ammonia (NH 3 ), FCs enhance nitrogen recycling into agricultural land, supporting sustainable nutrient management. This aligns with broader sustainability goals by addressing air quality concerns, reducing odors, and improving resource efficiency in livestock systems. This study offers an effective method to mitigate air pollution, providing a foundation for practical and sustainable agricultural practices.

Keywords: floating cover; ammonia; hydrogen sulfide; air pollution; environmental sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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