Do Effective Micro-Organisms Affect Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Slurry Crusts?

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Slurry crusts form on the slurry surface and act as a primary barrier to gaseous emissions and could also be a zone where CH4 is consumed by methane-oxidising bacteria present. However, slurry crusts have also been reported as sources of nitrous oxide emissions. This study evaluated methane oxidation rate and nitrous oxide emissions from a 8 months developed slurry crust followed by 8 weeks application of a mixed microbial consortia (effective microorganism; EM®). There was no clear evidence of CH4 oxidation following EM® application. Whilst there was no significant reduction of N2O fluxes from EM®-treated crusts, there was a tendency for lower N2O emissions from EM®-sprayed crusts. N2O emissions were greater than CH4 consumption, resulting in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of between 13.8-46.7 mg CO2 eq. g-1 DM hr-1. We conclude that it is important to consider net GHG emissions (CO2 eq.) when reporting CH4 oxidation from slurry crusts.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies
Volume3
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2016
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